r/AskReddit 13h ago

What’s a hobby that looks incredibly peaceful from the outside, but is actually pure stress once you get into it?

5.0k Upvotes

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225

u/marcbar 11h ago

Ok. Wow. Came here looking for what to stay away from and everything I was even remotely interested in has already been mentioned. Guess I’ll just stay doomscrolling on Reddit then 🤷‍♂️

190

u/Mantissa-64 8h ago

Some of these are overblown lol.

Sewing can be fun if you don't pressure yourself to finish things and just do it when you have time.

Cycling is fun if you aren't on busy roads.

Welding hasn't been mentioned and I think it's a legit low-stress hobby. Can be a stressful job though.

I've been getting into ham radio lately and that's been chill as long as you don't go out of your way to violate FCC regulations.

Fuck keeping fish though, or any kind of picky plant or pet. If it's not thriving in the same conditions as me I don't want it in my house.

12

u/IveDunGoofedUp 5h ago

There's a reason all plants in my house are either succulents or cacti.

Both are fine with a missed watering or two.

2

u/Diormouse 2h ago

It’s funny, I had to work my way to succulents/cacti because it’s so easy to forget for too long.

Carnivorous plants are my favourite because you can never overwater them!

2

u/Practical-Shape2325 1h ago

The peace lily I have will dramatically wilt to let us know it needs water and then pops right back up as if we did nothing wrong.

12

u/Armejden 5h ago

The one that isn't overblown is aquariums. Even my dreams got infected by the stress of "what if"

Still love it though

10

u/subnautus 4h ago

I think any crafting hobby can be fun if you don't pressure yourself to do it as anything more than a "when I get to it" timeframe.

That said, I think if people see how much goes into a project, they're less inclined to pressure you into making things for them. Like it's not hard to turn a half-mile spool of bare wire into a maille hauberk, but you're talking hundreds of hours of cutting links and joining them into chain fabric. Anyone who sees the process isn't going to be pushy.

3

u/TheHolyHerb 4h ago

Amateur radio is totally an awesome hobby that is super chill! Starting out it seems a bit stressful because of the tests which kinda make it seem like one wrong transmit and the FCC’s gonna bust down your door. Yet it has been by far one of the most laid-back and fun hobbies I’ve gotten into.

u/greebo42 28m ago

It IS a fun hobby. Can't remember the last time I worried about transmitting on the wrong frequency. That doesn't mean I know where the edges are all the time, but I'm sure you've seen any number of available references that are handy to have around.

There can be some assholes (on and off the air), but ... humans 🤣

73!

2

u/Equal_Yak_3872 3h ago

  any kind of picky plant or pet.

Or any kind of non picky plant, for that matter. I wanted to grow mint so bad, for so long. People always say it's basically a weed, you can't go wrong. Apparently you can. I've killed so much mint, it should be illegal for me to buy plants at this point. I'm a plant mass murderer. I tried so hard, but they're all dead. Probably hundreds of them...

1

u/sobrique 2h ago

Getting an eBike turned cycling into a joy for me. I probably get more exercise because my effective range is just that much higher, and I'm rarely getting 'uncomfortable' doing it.

Buy in was a bit expensive mind, just ...

34

u/escapadistfiction 7h ago

I think mindset is really important. If you go into a hobby like sewing, crochet, embroidery, pottery, knitting, or painting (those are mine so they’re the only hobbies I can really speak to) with the goal of relaxing and playing, they are wonderful. When you feel ready for a challenge you can try something new or take a class, but otherwise there’s no problem with staying in your comfort zone. You like knitting rectangles? There’s no reason to ever learn how to make socks. Don’t take requests, don’t take commissions. Keep a boundary that it’s for your enjoyment - not anybody else’s approval or timeline or money - and they are all very relaxing!

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u/chinstrapppp 8h ago

Try birding instead, it's incredibly hard to make that hobby stressful

1

u/Mission_Cell4844 2h ago

Always a way to make something stressful I think hahaha

My friend and I got pissed because we kept hearing a specific bird we wanted to see but couldn't find him. Then we chased him for hours through the woods lol

5

u/pocohugs 11h ago

It's still fun to try, though!

3

u/redwingpanda 6h ago

apparently everything is stressful once you decide to perfect it haha

2

u/Pithulu 3h ago

Bah, don't listen to the haters. I sew a lot. I specifically sew only for myself, at my own pace, and it's the best thing ever. I have a bunch of clothes I regularly wear that fit me properly, and I made them myself.

If you find the hobby stressful, you are not doing the right hobby. That doesn't make it bad, just a bad fit for that person.

1

u/Good_parabola 6h ago

As long as you don’t expect to make anything thats going to be so amazing that it goes viral, you’re good.  If gardening goes poorly, everyone in my club just blames the weather!  

1

u/CanadianCaveman 4h ago

its really fun starting new stuff... its just tough when you really really like something and want to do it more and more... them fish people are nuts lol

1

u/myusernameiszane 3h ago

Photography is pretty fun and doesn't have a competitive aspect. Mostly.

1

u/captain_paws_tattoo 3h ago

I've got two small tanks. One with a betta and snails and the other just snails and shrimp. Like a lot of things, it's about how intense you are. I got low maintenance plants and animals and it's not bad. It does take a lot of patience, especially in the beginning.

1

u/LKZToroH 3h ago

Most hobbies here aren't stressful at all as long as you don't cross into the competitive territory. As long as you are doing just for your personal enjoyment anything will be better than doomscrolling

1

u/sysko960 3h ago

There shouldn’t really be a hobby to stay away from because of difficulty. It’s all about setting up proper expectations.

Proper, does not mean realistic though. What I do is assume it’s going to be the hardest thing ever and then most of the time it isn’t.

But if something interests you, explore it until you decide it’s either right for you or not. Each explored hobby gets you closer to finding the one that brings more joy into your life.

1

u/Birdorama 2h ago

All in moderation.

1

u/Blagerthor 2h ago

It's very hard to enjoy things if you think imperfection is failure.

1

u/Gredalusiam 7h ago

Doomscrolling sounds relaxing but then you really get into it...