Can someone give me a nudge?

I love this game. But I'm a bit stuck.

I'm on my first playthrough. Level 20 truekin, AV 10, akimbo pistol build.

I've only found cybernetics for my head so far, but my night vision is a nonnegotiable.

I'm at the point of needing to go to Golgotha, but haven't even tried yet. Every single lair/quest I attempt around the jungle/desert canyons absolutely demolish me.

I've done plenty of ruins throughout the west side of the map, but feel like I've plateaued.

Every time I check the cyberneticsboi near the Stilt, there doesn't seem to be anything that would help too much. Anyone have some advise to nudge me in the right direction...so I can get stronger and not feel like I'm too weak for random quests/lairs/etc?

Thanks!