Totk way harder than botw

So I was pretty addicted to botw and COULD NOT put it down...I'm onto totk now and am finding it so difficult just to even fight monsters. Am I approaching this game differently cuz I'm familiar with botw that I'm rushing into things? Should I be completing side quests first or something? I have been hunting down shrines and shrine quests to build up hearts and stamina but have a hard time exploring as I am not strong enough for even the smallest of monsters. Please give me advice on what I should be tackling first.