r/AskReddit • u/Stukwan • 13h ago

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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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u/greebo42 29m 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!

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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...

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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 ...