People Swore They’d Never Do These 10 Things, Now They Can’t Get Enough
We’ve all made those dramatic declarations—“I’ll never be that person.” But then life happens, and somehow, you’re sipping herbal tea after yoga or naming your tomato plants. It turns out that saying “never” is often just the first step toward obsession. Here are 15 things people swore off—until they didn’t.
Becoming a Gym Regular
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Gyms had the worst PR: crowded treadmills, intimidating mirrors, and locker rooms that smelled like effort. It seemed like punishment disguised as self-care. But after one well-timed trial or a friend’s pep talk, people found the rhythm. Studies show just 5 minutes of moderate exercise boosts mood, so it’s no wonder many stuck around.
Gardening for Fun
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To those raised on apartment living or city life, gardening sounded messy, buggy, and slow. But post-pandemic, seed sales exploded—Burpee saw a 50% jump in 2020—and plenty of skeptics got hooked. Now, they know heirloom tomatoes by name and brag about compost ratios.
Public Speaking
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The fear was about forgetting words, the eyes staring back, and sounding ridiculous. But with a few forced presentations, confidence crept in. The fear of public speaking affects about 77% of people. And yet, many say the rush of nailing a talk feels better than caffeine.
Going Birdwatching
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As a kid, birdwatching seemed like the most boring hobby on earth. Why stand still and stare at birds? Fast-forward two decades, and people now carry binoculars and ID guides in their car trunks. They talk about colors, migratory paths, and nesting patterns with genuine excitement.
Driving a School Bus
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Imagine saying yes to waking up at 5 a.m. and managing 40 kids before your first coffee. It sounds chaotic, but it became a rhythm worth keeping for some. One driver said the route became a kind of meditation—predictable, oddly peaceful, and full of tiny surprises.
Wearing Matching Outfits with Pets
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Pet clothes used to be borderline humiliating. Then winter hit, and the tiny parka was too practical to resist. The dog has outfits by season, and a matching scarf or two for the owner. The U.S. pet costume industry is worth over $500 million. That’s a lot of tiny hats!
Living in Their Hometown Again
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Leaving the hometown was a dream. Going back? Not so much. But rent soared, and suddenly that quiet neighborhood with the corner store and decent Wi-Fi didn’t seem so bad. A surprising number of people say they feel more settled than they ever did in the city.
Becoming a Nurse
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Nursing school applications in the U.S. spiked in 2020, and the profession consistently ranks among the most trusted. It’s physically demanding, yes, but also deeply human. Some nurses who used to faint at the sight of blood are now the ones others call when things go sideways.
Getting Into Kayaking
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Being out on the water used to feel risky or intimidating. Then someone tried it once and couldn’t stop. Being away from screens, deadlines, and traffic, paddling across a calm lake or river clears the mental clutter.
Napping on Purpose
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As kids, naps felt like punishment. As adults, they’re sacred. Some schedule them like business meetings, complete with blackout curtains and noise machines. Some swear by “coffee naps,” where you drink coffee, then nap before the caffeine kicks in—waking up wired and refreshed.
Obsessing Over Lawn Care
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Lawn maintenance seemed ridiculous to younger versions of themselves. Why fuss over grass? But, some have liked mowing lines into their lawn and out-greening the neighbors. Mowing also counts as moderate exercise!
Cooking at Home
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For a long time, cooking felt like a trap—too many steps, too many dirty dishes, and never as satisfying as a delivery driver showing up with hot pad Thai. But during slow months or tight budgets, many people started experimenting. Searches for “easy dinner recipes” have fluctuated since the 2020s.
Enjoying Abstract Painting
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Growing up, many thought art was for, well, artists. Then someone brought acrylics to a game night, and suddenly, abstract painting became therapy. Psychologists say it taps into the brain’s default mode network, the same region activated during meditation or daydreaming.
Getting Into Meditation
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It sounded impossible: sit still and think about… nothing? But science kept saying otherwise: meditation can reduce anxiety, help with focus, and even shrink the brain’s stress center. It may even result in better sleep and fewer migraines.
Falling in Love With Hiking
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For the uninitiated, hiking was a long, sweaty walk without bathrooms. Today, hiking is the go-to recharge button. Newcomers are realizing that unplugging is about letting your brain slow down. Even a 90-minute walk in nature can lower activity in the brain’s stress centers.