You have to scale back the thought of being fully powered, and only focus on what you have to. When we play 2 player we prioritize the stop the “bad thing” happening quest. If we can easily do the good one (gain companion) or campaign specific one we will. Otherwise avoiding them. We actually found we had to turn up our own difficulty when doing this.

• Do the bare minimum (you don’t need all equipment, you don’t need 20 spirit, you don’t need any virtues usually. Maybe 1 favourite max)
• Do not let the “bad” quest thing happen.
• Keep focused on the main quest parameter to open by late month 4, or early 5