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?

Sea swimming
I live in dry robe central and despite trying many times I just can’t get into it

Podcasts. They bore me

Coffee
Olives
Blue cheese
Gin
Miranda (I just don't get it)
Mrs Browns Boys

Camping - too much bloody effort I have tried

Being left wing. Last few years have opened my eyes.

Agree about gardening. I see it as an extension of house work.

Hot chocolate
That yucky, sickly, sugary pap, then with cream and marshmallows on top
I last had one about 15 years ago and vowed I’d never have another one . It was so disgusting
And I haven’t.

I have eaten my own weight in chocolate many times over, over the years
Although the last couple of years…good quality dark chocolate only

"Worthy " novels , or anything described as "seminal " "challenging " or "thought inducing "

I'm sorry , but these days , my mind just wants to read crap .

Running

I’m fit, sporty, love the outdoors. I cannot abide running. It’s mind numbingly tedious and I hate every second of it. Give me HIIT or weights and I’m happy as Larry but running can do one 🤷🏻‍♀️

Group activity of any sort.
It just makes me so anxious

Line of Duty

Opera
Theatre
Wine
Blue cheese
Yoga
Men
City breaks
Running
Art galleries
Horse racing
Swimming

High heels, love getting glammed up though.
Social media. I'm very outgoing but post nothing.
Game of Thrones. Yawn.

Socialising with other couples. Enjoy myself much more on my own with my friends, and DP with his.
Socialising in my or someone else's house. Hard work when hosting, and when I go out I want to be out properly, not in another house.

Work socialising

High brow novels

I'm with people saying worthy books.
My reading has increased significantly since I accepted that actually what I enjoy right now are good old page turner murder mystery type things. I blame this on The Mirror and The Light which nearly broke me at the start of lockdown.

Picnics
Sunbathing
Eye shadow (who wants shadowy eyes?)
Baths
Telling my kids not to do things that i do myself e.g. swearing, picking my nose, farting and wanting certain bowls/cups/spoons because they’re my favourites.

TV
Alcohol
Driving

People are constantly asking me why I don’t partake in the above. I don’t like them!

I love camping and olives though.

We used to go horse riding once a week, but after a few years realised that we were making up excuses not to go. (Too cold, too wet etc) We really enjoyed it to begin with, but went off it.

"going out for me drinks with the girls!" I'm just not into meaningless chit chat anymore or spending the evening playing top trumps on who has the worst life/ best kids/worst or best DH!!

I loved going out in my teens early 20s dancing all night and snogging questionable blokes I do not want to be now sat round a table with a load of peri menopausal women eating rubbish food or drinking overpriced cocktails simply so I can think I'm still with it! I love spending time with my DH and as thats a rare occurrence that we get to have evenings out I'd rather wait to go out with him!!
So I have learnt the fine art of avoiding invitations
Admittingly lockdown has helped!!

I am tired of a few things, such as:

Alcohol, we are currently on a break
Diet culture, I am through being a disordered eater
Social media, well, the amount of time I spend on it

But the main thing I am completely over is my current city.

I live in the US and for the past 13 years, I have lived in this city. I lived here for five years previously in my early 20's, so altogether it's been 18 years. I used to love being here because it was so different from my hometown and it's wonderful that it's so ethnically diverse (I am a minority) but lately, the hot, humid weather has really affected me negatively, I hate the yearly threat of hurricanes and floods, and it's massive population boom which has tremendous positives but many negatives too. I'm just over it and want to move back to my hometown. Weirdly, it's in the same state and much more laid back. I'm ready for a change of life.

@PeacheyPeach

"going out for me drinks with the girls!" I'm just not into meaningless chit chat anymore or spending the evening playing top trumps on who has the worst life/ best kids/worst or best DH!!

I loved going out in my teens early 20s dancing all night and snogging questionable blokes I do not want to be now sat round a table with a load of peri menopausal women eating rubbish food or drinking overpriced cocktails simply so I can think I'm still with it! I love spending time with my DH and as thats a rare occurrence that we get to have evenings out I'd rather wait to go out with him!!
So I have learnt the fine art of avoiding invitations
Admittingly lockdown has helped!!

I’m with you 100%

Going to museums

Any kind of big family event. In England (my experience only), it's always some half hearted religious bit (wedding, baptism etc...) followed by food and a disco so loud you can't talk to anyone else. Lots of sweaty men getting louder and more drunk (and possibly agressive/maudlin/over friendly) as the night progresses. I usually wander as far from the source of noise as possible and get quietly relaxed. Or sneak off as early as is socially acceptable.

I'm happily antisocial. It's taken a long time to realise that I don't have to try to enjoy those events for the sake of appearances. They are my idea of hell.

Olives
Alcohol (I like 1/2 drinks but then I’m done for the evening)
Being thin - can’t be arsed and although I run, I can’t be doing with the macros/PT/gym thing anymore
Also magazines, my DF used to own a newsagent so I read anything & everything. I’ve now realised a lot of them aren’t worth paying for so am about to cancel a subscription.
‘Serious’ TV shows; don’t mind the odd documentary but by and large I’m happier with a sitcom from the ‘70s-‘90s.
Music - no one can top ABBA!

Driving. It would be so beneficial to me and my family but I just don't want to do it.

yoga
skinny jeans
walnuts