I've started with doing a challenge and then I was confronted with a new way of playing that i now do without the challenge anymore. I used to play without an objective to my story so I ended up doing the same stuff over and over, using the same objects, the traits that I liked most... And I used to use a lot speed 3. I'ld put all orders in list and then hit speed up. Mainly because of doing the same range of stuff and knowing already how sims reacted. The challenge made me use other things in the game and use a slower pace, as I had to think about my objective. I started using more speed 1,taking screenshots, enjoying more each detail. That has made me fall in love with the game again.
But I also think that when we need a time out, then we really should be away for some time. If it'll be like me than the will to play will come again. And when it does, then maybe you should try a new approach.
