If you aren't on PC then simply avoid Jarl Balgruuf. The main quest is such a tiny part of this game and the guild quests are often better suited to your character, do those. But due to some poor writing in the main questlines for guilds/MQ/CW ect the best part of Skyrim is the exploration and discovering quests you originally have no intention to do. Daedric quests, random dungeon quest finds ect. As for the Dragons returning just pretend the Alduin attack on Helgen was a one off air or something like that. Also mostly Bards and poltical leaders discuss that, so avoid them.
Live another life is a fantastic mod as is one that allows you to start the civil war without the MQ, there are other mods that add new 'faction' questlines, but of course thats only for PC.