I also think there's another dimension. The Elves seem to experience time differently to mortals. For us past, present & future are points in time, relating possibly to our past (birth), present & future (death). But if you're immortal, then maybe 'time' is experienced differently. For them, its almost like past, present & future are less points in time as 'places', locations. They feel 'exiled' from their homeland, the past, which they idealise, turning it into an artwork, almost. They feel like refugees from the past, driven further & further from home. When they can no longer keep up their self imposed isolation, either due to the Rings, or simply to natural isolation - in Mirkwood or the Havens, they feel increasing pressure to leave - drawn on the one hand by the desire for the West, & driven on the other hand by their increasing inability to function outside their own little 'asylums'.
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