Tips for someone picking up the game after a few years?

I haven't played Minecraft since sticky pistons were introduced, so it's been a while. But after playing the game, it seems almost exactly the same as it used to be, just with some quality of life changes.

That said, I'm sure the reason it feels the same is because I'm unaware of what to do in the game now. I keep creating a base, creating a farm, getting some animals, and then finding nearby villages to trade with. Anything else I should be doing? Any tips for someone coming back to the game? Thanks!!

I don't like giving advice, mainly because I feel like I'm imposing something on someone, but I do think I have some nice tips to share this time.
I assume you are playing on the latest version (1.16.5 on Java Edition, or some other version on Windows 10 Edition). The current versions of Minecraft are well-developed, so sometimes you don't really know where to start. I'd recommend you explore Nether. Netherite - the new best resource in the game - was added in update 1.16. You can make the best tools and armor out of it. Netherite spawns in - well, Nether - mostly in the Y-axis of 8-22. You also need a diamond pickaxe to mine it.
Apart from that, I also recommend you visiting a Woodland Mansion. You can find quite valuable loot there, and you can trade for the map from a villager cartographer who is on the apprentice level.
Additionally, if you don't have them yet, I would recommend you getting Totems of Undying. They give you a "second life" after you die and a few effects that will surely help you in the fight against tougher mobs or bosses. Totems of Undying drop from Evokers - Illagers, which spawn in woodland mansions and raids, which can occur when you enter a village with Bad Omen effect after killing a Pillager with a banner on his back.
Sorry for such a long answer, but I don't know how can I shorten it. Generally - have fun.

Hmm, after a few years. I say is by being in a community. Either with a bunch of RP people or builders. Try building with the new blocks, explore the new places, build bigger bases or build a base in every biome, try or do something you haven't done before but playing with others or just sharing build designs can give you ideas or inspiration on the game to keep playing it.

Half the fun of Minecraft is doing stuff that hasn't been done before. Try joining new multiplayer servers, using the new items added... that sort of thing. And, of course, have fun while doing it.

I'm in the same boat last i even looked at the game it was way different from what i knew lol

My first rule of thumb is to honor myself by accepting the fact that there exists different strokes for different folks. All the same, my advice to you would be to join a newer multiplayer server, to comb YouTube for Minecraft tutorials, and more importantly to have fun!