Since the storyline is one of the best ways to get lore, I'm not sure why anyone would skip it. Even beyond that, it's a really good story, miles above 2.0.
However, MMOs are treadmills. They always will be. You will never EVER be able to catch the carrot, ever. You get the best gear, it'll only be best for 4-6 months. If there's a new expansion, everything resets. Everything. Get used to it or get off the treadmill. I keep my sanity by remembering that even if someone is going 5.0 on the Treadmill and I'm going 2.0 - well eventually we'll all be right here. Restarting the treadmill. This is why I never get hardcore with raiding. It doesn't make sense to. Go at your own pace, be happy with the pace. Enjoy the people around you, stop trying to go faster on the treadmill.
However, MMOs are treadmills. They always will be. You will never EVER be able to catch the carrot, ever. You get the best gear, it'll only be best for 4-6 months. If there's a new expansion, everything resets. Everything. Get used to it or get off the treadmill. I keep my sanity by remembering that even if someone is going 5.0 on the Treadmill and I'm going 2.0 - well eventually we'll all be right here. Restarting the treadmill. This is why I never get hardcore with raiding. It doesn't make sense to. Go at your own pace, be happy with the pace. Enjoy the people around you, stop trying to go faster on the treadmill.