I usually do what you did, start over when the build gets too powerful, and make the next one less so. I also use perk efficiency to keep my level low in the first place. Try to avoid the well known OP exploits, like Crafting, Dualcast/Impact, and Assassin's Blade, or at least don't combine them all into a swiss army character. While you Can make a daedric assassin in ebony mail with destruction maxed out, I find the builds that stay the most interesting the longest have a chance of dying if I don't play my cards right, and can't 1 shot everything.
Stay away from Orc, they're just made of abuse. I also have saves for extreme low level fun, like a simple archer out on the plains of Whiterun so whenever I'm frustrated, or overstimulated, I can just go out, and shoot some Elk.