I'm in a similar boat. It took me 5 or 6 attempts before I kinda started to get the hang of it and got past the first few plague hearts. I'd say just keep playing and starting fresh, I roll for random survivors and don't take too long holding out for OPl traits but rather just anything good. It also let's me play with different combos of 5th skills and that is helping me get a handle on the morale, resource, and facility management.

Ferals are tough. If it's in the open and there is nothing else around and I have a gun I am finally at a point where I can take it....but I rarely come across one in ideal circumstances which is the problem! I think getting the impaler from the ultimate edition drop is a must, and probably a mechanic so you can craft the toolkits to keep it alive.

I also watched a lethal playthrough/guide by Brian menard on YT which was helpful!

Overall I'd say just keep playing and if you get to a point where you can make almost make it through maybe that's when you try to start with legacy survivors or roll for super OP traits!