[2021] Tips for playing solo?

Was watching a Dwarf Fortress Hermit challenge series and remembered that OR has a pre-built mode that facilitates the same thing as a solo settlement.

Booted it up and got two seasons before I was merc'd by a thief on my island home. Was stabilizing in terms of food output and resources being abundant. But combat seems exceptionally dangerous and unavoidable due to how climbing/random events work.

Anyone have any tips or advice? Hell, I'd even look up a series on it if I wasn't at work. Any info is appreciated!