Good to have ya back!
I also took a hiatus of around 5 years from SR shaving. Interestingly enough I was never satisfied with DE shaving and my Mach 3 wasn't the the bee's knees either. Although I do admit I used my Mach 3 more than my DE razors. Yupz, like that.
Anyhoooow, nothing even came close for me to the almighty straight razor.
So I started again, started restoring little by little and honing myself.
Long story short, my hiatus gave me a certain perspective, patience and in some ways made me a more mature man that now better understands all the different parts involving SR shaving; stropping, honing, preparing the beard and restoring. Because now I want to learn all the different parts involved with SR shaving. Back then I just wanted a good shave, but you need to do the other things well to be able to have a good shave. Hence why after the hiatus I succeeded where before I was not 'mature' enough and made too many mistakes and I didn't have the patience to say; 'I'll give it a rest for now, before I foul anything up and I'll try again later' And I have fouled razors up and strops, looking back, I feel bad about it. But at least it has taught me some good lessons.
Of course I read good advice on here and I did heed it, but at the time I didn't have the experience, nor perspective to put the GOOD advice into practice.
Best to you and your shaving endeavor good sir!