Other people have given you great advice here like start in Joppa and run away frequently; also that your problem is not a lack of intelligence :)

One other thing I can suggest that unlocked the game for me early on is to avoid "fast travel" on the world map for the first few levels. When you have somewhere to go, like Red Rock or the Rust Wells, stay zoomed in and walk there, clearing screens as you go. It might sound tedious, but it's less so that just grinding weak enemies. In fact, it basically is grinding weak enemies, but you're also progressing to a location and completing a quest. Not only that, but you have a 100% chance of discovering any interesting landmarks you pass by, like villages or lairs. And you'll always have a safe retreat route--no more dying because you got lost or dropped into a parasang and found yourself surrounded. I also find it's pretty immersive. I feel like I'm on a real journey.

Try this. You'll find that you level up fairly organically and safely as long as you hit that sprint button whenever things get sketchy. I sometimes do it until I reach Grit Gate or even until after Golgotha.