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?

Avocados
Veganism

Yoga. Any form of forced, sitting still meditation. I just need to be outdoors.

Sorry, 2 more : outdoor fire pits and hot tubs.

Another one here for salad and lettuce/salad leaves in particular. It's not a good thing as I'm getting wider.. but I just can't.

See also worthy documentaries especially on climate change I guess I just don't care enough, which makes me sound awful, but after this past year I've spent enough energy on fretting and worrying and trying to preserve the energy I do have for my family and very close friends.

films and tv shows everyone raves about.

I'm actually pretty quick at deciding if I like or dislike things, but when it's a recommendation or a craze occasionally I feel I ought to check it out.

I'm usually disappointed, because I knew going in it wasn't gonna be my thing.
I wish I could like GOT. But I hated LOTR and couldn't care less about HP so I just don't see the point in trying; that sort of fantasy genre just doesn't excite me.

A management role - really didn’t want it, but everyone said how good I would be and how it would be for the best. - lasted four days and have now gone back to a quiet role I don’t waste time thinking about.
Bell ringing and pubs - just don’t really enjoy them like other people do.

Hiking and general outdoorsy bullshit. I don't get it. Hiking is SO boring and you're not even going anywhere useful.

OhDear2200 Yes me too! Always feel I should like gardening but ine reality hate it! My DGP loved Gardening ,but I tell myself we have a dog and she needs walking instead! Also dont like Spirits in general, esp not Gin (DMs favourite tipple) Hate Coffee too!

I realise this is perhaps off the topic but mine was visiting the in laws.
I knew I should do it, it's what families do, but I always came away feeling so dejected and judged so when a very good friend pointed out that I didnt actually have to go on all visits, it was like a great weight had been taken off of me.Such a relief.
Also, gardening too, I just put up with the weeds and general untidyness.

Horses and riding (used to have a horse). Too much getting up early and faffing around with cleaning tack, mucking out, and dealing with haughty people and the politics of livery yards. Half the time I was riding I was terrified, but pretending not to be - I love the animals, but they're much better when they belong to someone else!

Eating out, unless it's somewhere really special - I can cook most things better and more cheaply myself - except steak - that's always better from a steakhouse 'cos I find it improssible to get the proper charred taste without a charcoal grill.

@allfurcoatnoknickers

Hiking and general outdoorsy bullshit. I don't get it. Hiking is SO boring and you're not even going anywhere useful.

Hahaha yes!

Shakespeare, if I don’t already know the plot and have an idea of who’s who then forget it, I can’t follow it! Especially the history plays. (And I have an English Literature degree!!!)

Going out out like pubs or a restaurant. I do have the odd restaurant that I really like but its just not for me in general. I like going out for other things plays or days out like a fete or summer festival. I even like shopping which I know lots of people hate. I just can't get on with pubs and restaurants and clubs , I have tried in the past but nope. Not for me I find it all quite boring.

Barbecues. I like socialising but much prefer food cooked properly in the cooker.

Opera. The singers always sound a bit screetchy to me. I know it's very cultured to like it but I just think it's a bit....crap.

prampushingdownthehighst durring yet another difficult patch with IL years ago I once said to my family that as the kids got older I was looking forward to seeing IL less - they told me I was talking rubbish of course I wouldn't - without me even trying it's been working out that way.

I don't mind small doses or if we're out doing something - but the hours of them fault finding and talking about holidays and people I don't know are over for the moment anyway.

Wine and dinner parties. My life is better without both!

mums' drink nights out.
been to a few, but I seldom drink so I always felt a bit weird going. its like going to a casino when you won't be gambling...
and you can't actually have a proper conversation because it's just too many people fighting for attention, interrupting, distracting. urgh.

So I just don't go anymore

Reading fiction.

My friends are always recommending books to each other over our WhatsApp group. But I just prefer books about real things rather than made up stories.

Gardening / generally keeping plants alive. My dad was a brilliant gardener and my sister inherited his green thumb but I'm useless. I used to toy with the idea of getting an allotment and trying (somehow) to overcome my failings but these days I make do with supermarket herbs and a cactus on the kitchen windowsill 😂

I'm a former librarian and read a lot but can't be doing with a lot of pretentious lit fic, especially if the author doesn't even use speech marks or head hops from one character's perspective to another. I just want to relax and enjoy a book, not feel like I'm taking an exam.

Most popular TV dramas. I hate tense storylines but people are forever telling me I MUST see x, y or z and talking about it in great detail. I've tried to watch stuff like that a few times but it's just not my cup of tea. I don't watch a lot of telly and when I do, I like it to be relaxing not be holding my breath the entire time!

Wine, cheese, avocado, olives, bacon, steak, lamb... can’t stand them. Make me want to vom.

I was a teacher and I was really good at it. Students loved me, would even ask to transfer into my class. I gave it up because at the end of the day I’m not suited to the modern teaching profession. I want to work normal hours and be paid appropriately for all the hours I work. Not working extra hours unpaid “because it’s for the kids”. Not giving up my entire life to accommodate the ridiculous workload. It was so hard to let go because I’m literally a born teacher, it’s a natural part of my personality. I miss being a teacher - I’m a teacher down to my very bones, but I’m not willing to do the job under the current conditions.

Beaches - hate them with a passion

Any type of concert, theatre and festival - I have agreed to go to one in December with my best mate, it’s 6 months away and I’m dreading it already (surely there must be another lockdown by then 🤣) plus we have to travel and stay in a hotel! It’s costing a fortune for music a hate and an activity I can’t stand

Going out in big groups, I much prefer a couple of mates to all of us including our other halves! It’s painful!

I still do all the above with friends and family I just wish I could say no (if I did it would hurt all their feelings and it’s not worth the fallout - I’ve tried that one before ..) now I just put up with it and count down the hours till home time

Bah humbug...

Having a career. I've had one or two 'professional' jobs but always passed over for promotion and always remained at entry level. I know for a fact some family members are disappointed in me because they hoped I'd be a teacher (like siblings) but I think I'm just not cut out for it.

Barbecues. I always look forward to them but something about them just irritates me.

Salad! Really want to like it for a nice summery salad recipe, nice light lunch, crunchy salad al fresco.
I hate it.. hate lettuce tastes like the inside of my mouth as it has no taste, I can’t stand tomatoes and cucumber because of the texture, onions are ok but leave me with onion breath and keep repeating on me, rocket is shudder disgusting etc.. On a sarnie.. just no!
it’s such a shame.. I just don’t see how anyone can enjoy a nice salad..?
I’ve tried and tried and tried.. I do however like normal cooked veg brocolli cauliflower sprouts carrots..