over 4 years her

At first when you are learning scales you learn position as shapes and you run up and down the scale memorizing those shapes. Then you learn different ways to jump from one shape to another. Then you come up with ways to play the notes of the scale without it sounding too “scaly”, you skip notes, arpeggiate, find little sequence of 4–5 notes that you like and become your own phrases. You can lear these from someone else or make your own, either way they begin to shape your playing. You can become more adventurous and instead of emphasizing the root, third and fifth notes of the scale when playing against a chord, you emphasize the 9th, the 7th, perhaps the 6th, and even start throwing in some off-scale notes.

Something similar happens with chords. You learn the basic shapes in all positions, inversions and what not. Then extensions, then you come up with your own ways for extensions. Since you normally only have 4 fingers for chords (some people use their thumb on the sixth string!) and six strings, you have to get creative and sometimes discard the root, 3rd, and/or 5th note of the chord in favor of the extensions which creates some interesting voicings.

No matter what you do, it always comes down to knowing the basics first.