I agree with the parent. It sounds to me like you might be in a rut. Check out Time Magazine's 100 Best Novels Since 1923 and borrow a few from your local library. Giving your brain a break from tech grind might help you see things from new perspectives and give your neurons room to fire up some interesting ideas.

And take those books with you on a journey

Absolutely! Take a week or two to drive someplace you've never been, alone. The time spent staring at scenery with your hands on a steering wheel may stir up some creative juices.

Yeah, sit and watch the world go by. Let something - anything - spark an interest and just follow the vibe. You'll soon discover something you hadn't known before and find yourself in a preferred position to that in which you are now.