How do you keep your game interesting?

It's an interesting question 🥰
I like to play with several families in the same game. The rotations help keep my curiosity piqued. I play with a mixture of sims I've made myself and sims they meet in their world. I don't care much for their lore. If their appearance or demeanor inspires me, they are in.

I would say that I pretty much keep my game free of any kind of story progression as it destroys my imagination. I'm constantly creating stories in my inner universe as well as by writing Simlit. I love the randomness that occurs in the game that makes the story move in a different direction. There is so much that can inspire me and I never seem to run out of material.
For me, all the big emotions like wants and fear seem disturbing, and the same I would say about story progression. Suddenly I find my Sim in mourning over some random townie's death. A townie I had no idea existed. I take no pleasure in the external drama.
I know others feel the exact opposite and that's fine as long as it brings them joy. Ultimately, this is what makes the joy of the game last.