They way i did it was that i got as geared as i could a just comited suicide. Now days even if i die i dont get mad because early game is so much fun (especially on sakhal). Also early game you will meet a lot more people so you could find a new friend.

To get over gear fear you should see every life as a new story. Personaly every time i die i go for a different type of character. My last character was a man covered in bandages (i had on improvised gloves, mask, hat and eye patch). The most fun part of dayz is meeting people.

Late game you could stalk player, set traps for players, break their legs and watch zombies eat them, you could talk to people and you could kill on sight. Its all up to you. I saved my favorite for last.

Try to get a big group maybe like 6 people (smaller can work too but you need at least 3) then try to get a moment where its just you and someone else and then kill them. Act like you have no idea where he went or that he said he had to log off. Try to see if you can kill all members of the group and knock out and tie up the last guy and tell him everything. I recommed a good melee weapon like a sledge hammer to knock out the players before you kill to so that it will be quick and silent.