The character progression is what you find fun from what I can tell from your post, and you should find a way to get that feeling progression without it being gear.
There are plenty of ways you can progress:
- Gold for the next patch. Start looking up what enchants you may use, or what consumables you are going to use in the next patch. Start saving for them. If you have lots of gold already, set your sights to an expensive mog or mount you like.
- Crafting - sorta goes in hand with gold, but now is a great time to wrap up crafting on mains and Alts.
- Finish out reputations. They don’t have player power tied to them now, but some of the cosmetic stuff and patterns are good to have.
- You touched on old content, there is a TON of it. ICC is a slog, I agree.
- Start pushing keys. You mentioned LFR, but maybe you’re ready for the next step or 2?
- Okay an alt and progress your account. Get them LFR ready for the next patch cycle.
- Go back and finish quests and storylines. There’s a bunch of stuff in game to do, and achievement or title hunting is super fun.
- Pvp is great at passing time, and you acquire gear quickly when starting out so there is a feeling of rapid progression.
- Pet battles are still here and are a fun time sink for a little while if you like collecting and stuff.
- Explore places you haven’t been. There are some fun areas in the world, go check them out!
- Start looking for friends and building a social group online. Each person is one step closer to a good progression group.