In all the years I've been seriously making games I've learned way more by playtesting other people's games-in-the-making than by playing fully published games. If you want to level up your game making, my advice is to find room in your 2024 to playtest other people's games. Pay attention to...

I don't have 10% of your experience, but I agree strongly. To the point where I actually enjoy playing unpublished games more than fully polished ones. You see more risks and crazy ideas.

...what other designers are working on, and when a game-in-the-making seems interesting to you, reach out to the designer and ask if you can playtest it.