Hmm...
I've said it before and I'll say it again.
You need to try and move away from render+bg+fx.
You've been doing it forever.
Try some stock work, some abstract, some vector/vexel, some typography, and some 3D work, and then incorporate it all into your own stuff.
I've been working on abstract/3D, and will continue until it's sufficient.
And it's helped.
I already have ideas that I can't wait to put into motion.
Only thing is, I haven't learned enough to make it the way I want it.
But I'm working on it.
There's my advice.