Things that you used to enjoy but don't know

[LastOrdersMaura]

I was thinking about this as I have a literature degree and in the 10+ years since I graduated I think I've read less than ten books The degree, which I really enjoyed doing, just killed my love of reading for pleasure.
Also, when I was on maternity leave, I bought a second hand PlayStation and got quite into gaming. I've tried to play it again since but it was never the same and it just felt like a waste of time. Something about completing a new level when life felt quite repetitive (feeds, naps, walks) was really rewarding. I think back to that time with fondness.
I also remember my friend who got really into cooking after lost her job and took a few months finding a new one. She had never even cooked pasta prior to this and then she was inviting us over for three course meals. She had a real gift! When she found a new job she went right back to ready meals and take aways. She has never cooked since!
What are yours?

Sorry title should be 'now' !

Reading - for the same reasons as you I stopped reading for pleasure for years. Picked it back up about 5 years ago, lasted a little while but I probably haven't read anything in the last 3 years.

I used to also love watching horror films, really enjoyed the tension etc. Cant watch them at all anymore, I jump out of my skin and they play on my mind loads afterwards.

Same with horror films now, accidentally saw the trailer for one the other day and genuinely couldn't sleep!

Live comedy nights with multiple comedians. I've enjoyed some gigs, used to think of it as a top night out, but now would only go to a couple of specific performers who I trust, and even then I'd choose something else first.

Belonging to a book group killed my love of reading.
Far too many books were absolutely dreadful and the ones that I did like were picked apart too much

Having children altered my love of horrors and thrillers. Can't bear nastiness, cruelty or anything sadistic .

Watching tv series. I can't be bothered with it and it makes me fall asleep after about 8pm. I can just about manage short tv series but long, multi-season ones....no...and I used to love them . I was like you with reading a couple of years ago but have got back into it and read more than ever now.

I had a similar thing with reading OP, stopped reading for years despite being a huge reader beforehand. Just couldn’t get into anything. But then I started reading anthologies of short stories and it got me back into it, it meant I didn’t have to focus on a whole novel and if one story wasn’t great there’d be another which was better. Then I slowly moved back into novels (short ones at first) and fell back in love with it, now I try to read every night even if it’s only a few pages. But I’m much stricter and if I’m not feeling it/enjoying that particular book I give up - there’s too many books out there than to push through one you don’t like just because you’ve started.

I got really into adult colouring books a few years ago. Found it really soothing and a nice way to de-stress as you can just switch your brain off, I must’ve completed dozens of books and bought so many pencil packs. But now I find it properly boring!!

Playing music and singing with others. I realized that while I liked to play an instrument and to sing, I hated to perform and as that is what the other musicians and singers wanted, I would just hold them back. I was a prima soprano, so was given a lot of solos, and I just did not enjoy the attention. No matter the amount of praise.

I still sometimes sing when I am alone, though.

I've just thought of another one, socialising in huge groups. Used to love it, the more the merrier! Now it makes me anxious. I like to be in a group of four people max, otherwise I just feel like everyone is talking over everyone else.

@1Morewineplease

Belonging to a book group killed my love of reading. Far too many books were absolutely dreadful and the ones that I did like were picked apart too much

Having children altered my love of horrors and thrillers. Can't bear nastiness, cruelty or anything sadistic .

interesting....I lost my love of reading after English A level. It just analysed everything so much, I only read what I had to for uni and never got back into it.

I was thinking to join a book group but if it's going to be like a class and picked over....!

I also enjoyed cooking at uni but that's probably because I had more free time? Now I just think it it's a big faff.

I have never been able to watch horrors or thrillers.

Funnily enough I’ve just taken up reading books again, stage of life thing, I have more time on my hands now.

For me though, I used to love glossy magazines. The excitement of buying one and keeping the cover pristine until I’d finished reading it, and loving every article in them. Luxuriating in the ads and the lifestyles etc. Now I buy them occasionally and then bin them 6 months after not even opening them. Even the Christmas ones which I adored.

Gardening. I tried, I don’t like it. We now have just lawn that is mowed and a veggie patch I do like because it’s productive.

I used to love making cards and paper bits with moving parts, really intricate. I made one for an Xmas present easily 3 or 4 years ago and the time constraints made me hate it. I haven't done one since but can't bare to throw my supplies away.
I think the measuring of the little bits is what puts me off. I hate measuring.

really into knitting at the moment, ill lose interest soon enough though. I seem to love it for a month and hate it for a year.

gardening- we have an allotment but live in a flat so its such a good way to get outside. I live going when nobody is there but I hate socialising and saying hello to the 'neighbours' so I know ill be avoiding it all summer. I like to go on the rainy days I'm that much of a bore.

I'm a sahm so making things for the kids is my main joy. I hate doing something that's not 'productive'. except mumsnet

loads of things.

I think reading is one of those things you can slip in and out of. I can read loads of rubbish books in a row but once I read a good one I can't read again for ages. it feels too hard 'moving on' from here

Having long phone conversations with friends. I used to love it, but I really, really hate it now. I have no idea why.

Logic puzzle magazines. Absolutely LOVED them, would do the book in a day or two. My dm got me a subscription for my birthday 2 or 3 years ago, I think I did one book, the rest are piled up in their wrappers in the kitchen.

All sorts of things! I get into things for a little while and then move along. I think as soon as the novelty wears off I get bored. With reading, I did a literature degree and read tons of classics...while my love of reading hasn't ebbed the content of my reading has definitely changed. I don't expect my leisure time to be hard work!

Flying - growing up I always wanted to be a pilot, loved airports, loved planes despite the fact I didn't actually get on a plane until I was 17.

Now I actively try to avoid airports and flying, I find it massively stressful.

Oh and eating out, after being diagnosed as coeliac eating out is now a massive pain in the arse and rarely enjoyable.

Audiobooks. I can't read fiction because my eyes hurt too much after a day of working on screens. I used to listen to audiobooks as a result but now I have little time as I'm always with DC or working and when I do grab a 15 mins walk on my own (once in about every 3 weeks!) I just can't concentrate on them

I'm the same as you but the opposite way round - my English lit degree just about killed off any love of reading I had (land of green plums anyone?) and it took me about 2 years to go back to reading for pleasure!

Life

reading. I used to read loads, but now just watch tv. I bought a kindle to push me into reading again, but its not very successful.

Swimming. I was an excellent swimmer in my teens. I was in the local Speedo club and practiced 3/4 times a week for hours. I then broke my arm and never went back. I'll only go in a pool on holiday now and even then just to cool down. Raced a guy on holiday years ago and beat him so I've still got it

DIY and decorating. Not that I hate it, but I used to love doing decorating and home styling type faffing. I still like moving furniture and faffing. But since buying an old house and having to do lots of DIY and undo lots of shitty DIY I just don't feel the same!

It's hard work, disruptive, messy and takes up time I'd rather spend doing other stuff. It's a shame in a way as doing stuff yourself is cheaper and it means we will need to buy a more finished (=expensive) house next time we move. But honestly I can't be arsed with it.

Most tv series. I just don't care. I'll watch what DH and the kids are watching and the odd documentary, but generally I'm not bothered. My mum is always telling me I must watch such and such, but I don't care.

I used to love roller coasters etc, now the whole concept just seems unpleasant to me.

Crafts - since having kids, i just can't be arsed.

Gigs - I'm not sure if i ever liked them or i just wanted to be the type of person that liked them. All that standing. I hate the weird pretence of an encore.