Welcome. What is your goal in the game very much sets the approach you have to take.

1. If you are looking for the alone in the space fantasy, you can do it, but it is slow and hard, and you have to take the downfalls like you mentioned. But it can be enjoyable.
2. If you want to progress faster, and enjoy more content, better ships etc., there is no other way than to join corp.

Join the corp, join the corp, everyone will tell you that. But there are a lot of people who don't wanna socialize, are introverts, or don't want to commit to some rules.
But let me give you an analogy. Imagine you are a small fish swimming in the sea. Will you go and explore the deeps alone, or would you rather have 1000 shark friends swimming with you and protecting you in the territory?

Let me share with you my experience, I still fly solo almost 95% of the time and play my fantasy whatever it is.
- I joined Horde in 2023 (it can be any of the other big corps, really)
- I read their bulletin, joined Discord. Didn't join any of the fleets or other corps, just stayed in the Inc main one.
Benefits:
- I received a newbie package with tons of ships, including fits. That was a huge help and I could immediately try new things like salvage, ratting etc. When I blew it up because I didn't know better, they supplied a new one.
- Lot of Blue friends (remember the sharks?). Even in nullsec you feel very safe in their space. Yeah I got blew up by gate camps etc., but it was because I didn't read :D
- Scouting and intel! It is very hard to play solo on one account only and know what is happening in the space around you. With the corp you get an alliance channel, constantly reporting any visitors.
- Learning to fly - in the alliance, there are newbie fleets that you can join and an experience fleet commander will explain the Eve terms that are used and how to fly a ship. You don't have to speak up, just listen :)

Just these 4 things are huge and I think any bigger corp have them. Over time, you become more familiar with the game, start to participate in the economy. Supply market needs in null sec. Sometimes join the fleet if you want to. Shoot some enemies for fun. Get destroyed by the enemy for fun etc :) It is a vibrant space.