For me, personally, the difference has been to let time pass, as in doing the decades challenge (or my version of it) in game at the same time. That leaves me things to adjust to, such as no running water indoors at start, no tv, no radio and so on. As time passes, fashion change, more play options become available. When out of ideas for gameplay, I can look at history (what happened in that year) and adapt my play after that.
I suppose a version of this would be to let time pass forwards, going into the future - how will things change? Another version is to limit yourself to certain pack features, or play 1 world per generation, 1 pack per generation and so on.
I also play rotational, so start with one family then play their kids as they branch out, rather than having just one heir I have several, then stick with the one I enjoy the most.