Things you 'ought to' like but subsequently gave up?

[MrsLCSofLichfield]

Do you ever realise that you are not really enjoying an activity, and that really it conforms to an idea of the sort of person you think you 'should' be, or aspire to be? Do you give it up with relief or sadness, or a combination of both?

Just a small example - I subscribe to a lot of magazines, it's one of my luxuries in life. The other day I cancelled two of them, admitting to myself that I don't really enjoy reading them, but somehow I feel like I should be the kind of person that enjoys them. I suppose we all have a self-image we cultivate, silly as it sounds.

So, just out of idle curiosity - what have you given up on that never really suited you? A hobby, a role, maybe even a whole way of life?

Asparagus

Gyms
National Trust membership
Now TV membership
Learning to knit

Fish. Can’t make myself like it.

Make up. Enjoyed playing with dramatic effects when I was young, but cannot be doing with “subtle”, “enhancing” and all that shit. So I’ve binned it all and much happier for it.

I had to stop driving as there was a problem with my licence (DVLA's mistake) I was required to repeat my test, as time has gone on and shortly after I got behind the wheel again I realised I found driving really stressful so could not really face taking a test again.
My lack of driving annoys my family and is inconvenient sometimes , but I really don't want to do it.

good question!
nothing springs to mind but there ought to be some things. I'll have a ponder

My

My husband

Keto

Socialising with extended family / distant relatives. Lockdown has been a blessing for me

Probably my job. Grade a student, first class degree, so I do a ‘proper’ well paid corporate job.

On paper I’m good at it but I despise it - counting down until I have enough money to quit….

Olives
Parties
Getting drunk, even a bit

Going to the theatre / watching plays (almost always underwhelming; I prefer reading a novel).

Musical theatre (I think I stopped enjoying this in my early twenties, to be honest).

Attending classical music concerts (I still like listening to the music, but it's rarely worth the faff of travelling, and you have to sit still for a long time).

Going to the beach. An hour or more of preparation, travelling and setting up. A few minutes of enjoying the sea air before I get fed up and crave a shower, clean clothes, shade and quiet.

Going camping. I like to think of myself as the sort of person who enjoys it, but the reality is hard work and discomfort.

Lettuce.

Black pepper and theatre

And I forgot denim , oh the joys of no longer thinking I should be wearing jeans.

Reading the above, I realise how grumpy and not-fun I sound. 😂 I do enjoy other activities.

Exercise for the last 20 years. Kept waiting to feel it hit me like a passion. It hasn't. There are a million things I'd rather do. Now I see it like eating vegetables- important for health even though pretty bland.

Friends. They always stressed me out too much. I'm a really, really unsociable person and I don't enjoy company. I feel so much happier without them.

Also, broccoli

Wine and beer. I have a sweet tooth. I like cocktails and cider. I'm not going to pretend to like wine and beer any more.

My 40s have been one long exercise in ditching oughts and shoulds out of my life and getting acquainted with myself.

The beach! Took me years to figure out I don’t actually like it. A shady beach bar next to a beach so I can see it without feeling hot and dirty is ideal.

Ditto nightclubs. I spent so much of my 20’s counting down to midnight as a respectable time to leave, I’ve no idea why I bothered

Green tea
Herbal tea
Olives

Bach

Men. I’ve been happily single for 12 years now and can’t ever see that changing.
Also, fucks given.