Lost in an immersive solo world. Not sure what to do.

I'm trying my best to do this without turning the map on. I know it's always an option, but I am challenging myself here.

I struck out for the elder, equipped in troll and bronze with plenty of food for my journey (deer stew, deer meat, boar jerky). I brought items for a carve, and when the pointed path sent me over water i left a marker with some torches and a campfire. I used my hammer with a carve "hologram" pointed in the right direction. when i made landfall i picked up the ship and went over land. I skipped over two black forest islands like this, stopping once at a burial chamber to reset my direction.

It worked! I found the elder. I made a little base, farmed some materials and surtling cores to make a forge for repairs, and slew the elder. with key and trophy in hand, i started making my way home, intending to follow the markers where i made landfall backward.

When i came to the first island that i had passed over land, i tried to sail around to save the time of breaking down the boat. heavy fog hit, and a storm. I lost sight of land and was scared in the storm. I found a leviathin and waited out the morning and calm seas on his back. When i could see again, i was lost. I found an island that i thought was the one i passed over land, but circled it entirely and found no markers. also, in the fog and after circling i had lost all sense of direction. totally lost.

after poking around a bit i did catch a lucky break and found the vendor on the coast of another island! I made a little base and did some treasure hunting, getting my belt and a few barrel rings. I also found 2 draugr towns to raid. But my dilemma is i still want to get back to spawn to hang this head and pet my pigs.

What can I do? I vaguely think that i need to go south east, but ive been turned around so much i am really not sure now. are there any tricks that i can use to figure a way home? or should i just get some more bronze, make this my new home and look for some swamps?