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?

Alcohol. Avocado. Cycling. Exercise.

Walking in the countryside. Even when the countryside is stunningly beautiful. Bores me to tears. Much prefer looking at the beautiful countryside from behind the wheel of my Range Rover as we drive to a naice cafe.

All good literature. Yes, all of it. Invariably dull. And I speak as an English Literature graduate.

Some more:

Modern art - just looks like stuff that any primary school kid could produce.

Children - I've only ever really liked my own children, and could barely muster a vague fondness for my nephews and nieces when they were little. So, children who weren't even related to me were a huge irritant. Infinitely, prefer teenagers and other adults.

Drinking. Really don't find it fun and feel atrocious the next day.
Steak
Swimming anywhere other than on holiday abroad where the sun immediately dries you
Staycations

Yoga

I Couldn’t agree more with @kiksta. It’s really made me realise I don’t need most of them in my life and I’m Happy as I am.

@P1ainJanine

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.

DH and I were talking about this last night. After a number of years in which key family members have sadly died and various low-level disagreements have led to the rest of us drifting apart, then the enforced break of the pandemic, we've realised we just don't want to do this stuff any more, and it wasn't that much fun anyway.

There was a thread of here the other day about a family gathering involving 30 people all staying in a big house together, it sounded awful!