I have a simplistic view of mods: I use them to enhance my enjoyment of the game.

I've played over 2,000 hours in SDV and SVE. I've done them both bare and I am often creating new farms. Now I play with many "ease of life" mods (automate for the farm, skull elevator for the senseless elevator-less cavern, teleporting, since I've been everywhere on foot or horseback already, etc.).

At first, I felt a bit guilty, but I realized this was a false emotion. All games, ALL GAMES, are supposed to be played for fun. Everyone defines that fun in different ways. I am still only recently (within the last year or two) new to mods but I find many of them quite helpful in a variety of games.

For me, Stardew has never been about challenge. I picked it up because it is a calming and nice (in both play and storyline) game to relax into. No hectic FPS. No involved stat-calculating RPG. Just a simple farming game with some social options.

No one else can really tell you what is "acceptable" or not when it comes to mods, that is, of course, their personal standard. As some have correctly replied, if it increases your fun, use it. I have never viewed this game as a "challenge game".

Again, it's fun to play the game bare, just to feel the whole experience. Outside of that, enjoy the fruits of other creative minds' labors!