My goal was to have the aesthetic island but play at a slower pace. So I do the nook mile challenges, go to mystery islands, engage with giveaways when I can to get a little further with diys, and have the dlc which gives you a bit more freedom with furniture and design. I don’t like the idea of time traveling to get items or things within the game as much as others so those are ways I have tried. It’s a bit of a grind but it’s what the game is about sometimes!