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?

Classic novels

As a younger teen I was convinced that I would love clubbing. First time I actually tried it I realised that it was a hot, crowded, ear damaging hell and that dancing gets boring after 2-3 hours max.
Also ditched as the years roll on are getting drunk, heels, make up, ironing, and very long fantasy epics. That last one I used to love but I just don't have the time and patience these days and much prefer stand alone novels.

Reading. I enjoy the thought of curling up in an armchair with a book and mug of tea but when I do it I realise I'd rather be doing anything but that.

After years of forcing myself to go to gym classes (where I was becoming usually the oldest at 50) I've realised I just don't need to try & force myself to keep up with the 20 & 30 somethings. Who gives a shit about reps & squats & bloody spinning?
I'll never go back. Walking, occasional running & a few weights at home are utter bliss.
Awaits lots of 50+ gym lovers telling me what they do....

Spa days/ saunas find the atmosphere too hot and suffocating, hate wearing a thick toweling robe when I am boiling hot. Hate the whole sweaty, fragranced oil airless feeling.

Going to the races. It does absolutely nothing for me.

Royal Weddings and parades and suchlike.

Huge New Year celebrations

Most alcohol. I’ll drink, say, a Bellini a few times a year but really beyond that I don’t enjoy it.

Expensive cars. I know this sounds like a not so humble brag but really I just want an old banger c. £500 or so in a reliable make that I can drive forever. I’m not sure who exactly gets a kick from driving/buying/owning new and expensive cars but I feel like it’s a con of the highest magnitude.

Gardening
Weddings
Cooking
Summer
Harry Potter
Other people's children
Sex

Yoga.

And like a PP hopefully soon my job. I am good at it, I retrained fairly recently into it just 'fits' with everything I have ever done before and seemed the logical next step. I detest it.

have an exit plan though.....

Festivals . I know they're supposed to be so much fun , but I can remember sitting in the bloody rain at Glastonbury, listening to music I actually didn't like , surrounded by people off their tits on whatever , and thinking a) that I'd paid about £500 quid for this and b) I could really do with a nice cup of tea in my own mug and a digestive.

I was about 35 at the time .

Going to the pub, unless it is to meet a group of friends, "drinking" leaves me cold.

Opera, saunas, seafood, watching team sports of any description (no, I don't give a fuck about the rugby). Also most TV shows and movies - I've found most are mediocre and I'd rather play video games.

Have steadfastly hated Harry Potter all along which horrifies many people

Sitting in the garden! I feel like I should be out there now, but it just feels more boring than sitting inside.

As an English teacher - Shakespeare. I can't stand his plays and would rather watch anything else. Boring!

The Beatles

I still somehow expect to grow into gardening and having indoor plants.

I think my first career - computing - not so much the work but the very faintly hostile atmosphere all the time.

Sitting on sandy beaches - I like the sea like walks along but sitting not so much. It's not as bad as when I was a child and we had to spend all day there having sandy sanwiches and worry about needing loos - as DH and kids are fine just doing that in morning then food, walk or something else rest of the day and DH think paying more to stay close to beach is worth it.

Oh and sun holidays! I hate lying about in the sun. It makes me uncomfortable.

I'm another one who feels like I should like gardening but I really don't. So now I pay someone to make my garden pretty and it's much better!

Have also given up on the camping thing. Live rurally, active dc with active friends, loads of outdoorsy, hill climbing friends, felt I should join in the "fun" for years. Just nope. Happy to walk all day in the hills but I want a hot bath and a nice bed when I get back. And preferably a great dinner cooked by someone else, not struggling to cook sausages on some gas contraption that doesn't work when the wind blows.

Socialising with large groups of people
Drinking too much
Giving presentations

Lots of things people have posted are stuff I hate, but have no qualms about hating (clubbing, for example). But in terms of stuff I hate even though I used to do it due to the dreaded "should":

Theatre
Poetry readings (the evenings I've endured)
Punting
Picnics

Yoga.
Couldn't get into it and did sessions once a week for 10 weeks.
I'd quite like my money back actually.

Olives
Tomatoes
Salad
Dogs

The first three I feel as if I should like as they are 'grown up', healthy things. I can't get over the fact they are all disgusting though.

The last one I feel I should like so other people don't think I'm a serial killer. I'm not frightened of dogs but I don't want to touch one thanks!

Theatre -I do wonder if that in next few years will be another for me.

I do get very excited about night out but can't think one one time it was as great as I'd hoped. Even night DH suprised me with the meal and drinks were great the actual Theatre bit even it being a play I'd always wanted to see was lowest bit of the evening.

Houseplants
Running
Left wing politics
Sunshine (as in, the sun in the sky, heat rash pops out over 18C and that's it for my comfort for months)

Swimming. I'm quite sporty generally and I love the sea (to look at and be near) but I hate swimming. I've kept trying it but it's such a faff and I just don't enjoy it at all!

Also spa days for much the same reasons.

Exercise. I hate it, it makes me feel ill and miserable. It doesn’t make me happy in any way shape or form!

Just going out in general actually. I like staying at home and watching TV