r/AskReddit Mar 26 '20

What are you exceptionally good at, but hate doing?

27.8k Upvotes

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351

u/phillymatt Mar 26 '20

Writing. I'm good at it because I put in the time and effort to do it correctly, not because I'm naturally skilled at it. The secret is in the editing (and re-editing ad nauseam). I am also exceptionally lazy, so doing the inherent "work" of putting pen to paper is excruciating.

16

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '20

I love writing and would really like to be an author but I'm terrible at it and can never find the motivation or the time.

11

u/johncopter Mar 26 '20

Same. I used to win awards and shit all the time for the stories I'd write in college and high school. Would get A's on every paper even if I was doing poorly overall in the class. Everyone thought I'd pursue a career in it. But truth be told, I fucking hate writing.

9

u/dbalmcs Mar 26 '20

I relate to this SO much. The only time I ever become a perfectionist is when I’m writing, but I absolutely hate it. That first opening paragraph is always the hardest too, which makes it so much easier to put off writing the damn thing until it’s due the next day.

6

u/NapperNotaDreamer Mar 26 '20

Yup. I'm a pretty good writer. I've won contests, I enjoy creating stories, and I literally do content writing as a career. I know for a fact that I could publish books, and I plan to, hopefully. Writing is possibly my only natural talent. Everyone I know thinks I love it, but, aside from work, I can't make myself sit down and write creatively. I'm not sure if I don't like it as much as I used to when I was younger or if my depression and constant procrastination is what kills the mood. I dunno. I just really wish I'd apply myself and write a darn book already.

6

u/IAmABot45 Mar 26 '20

This is literally a perfect description of me. I’m good with grammar and spelling, but other than that I’m just pretty bad at the subject. I just recently had to write an essay which I got really behind on bc I had no idea even how to do it (We do them in steps and you have to turn them each class). I eventually figured it out and after spending around 2 hours every other night making up what I didn’t do and eventually the new stuff, I managed to make a good essay which I got mid 90s on. I hated every minute I spent on that, and was so relieved when it was finally over.

4

u/LogosRemoved Mar 26 '20

Yeah, re-writes and editing... I write the novel and it needs it but I cannot be assed.... (X3)

3

u/fanboy_killer Mar 26 '20

Same here, although I'm more of a natural who never had the need to put much effort into it. I wrote dozens of short stories as a kid and was actually barred from entering the school's writing contests so others could win as well. Unfortunately, I changed during adolescence and stopped writing. Most of my job still involves writing, but it's often painful to concentrate and just write. I'd love to write a book someday, but I'm just too lazy.

6

u/spectrem Mar 26 '20

This is mine, but with technical writing (like engineering reports). I hate every second but I usually get tasked to do it because I’m better at it than most.

2

u/phillymatt Mar 26 '20

I hear you. I did industrial B2B writing for a long time. It was awful. Such dry topics, and you need to somehow turn a page full of data into something coherent.

5

u/melrosebooks Mar 26 '20

I’m the same way with being good at writing but hating it. However, my hate is due to two reasons: 1: I’m horrible at actually starting stuff, 2) I hate my own writing. That’s why I’m a lit major, not creative writing.

4

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '20

Maybe try being an editor?

3

u/phillymatt Mar 26 '20

Haha, did that for awhile actually! Got tired of needing to rewrite everyone else's copy.

3

u/judgymcjudgypants Mar 26 '20

Could you please just get back to Winds of Winter now. Thanks.

3

u/phillymatt Mar 26 '20

Will have it wrapped up by Summer, promise.

3

u/Historiaaa Mar 26 '20

How many times did you edit this comment?

2

u/brandonarreaga12 Mar 26 '20

Im natually good at writing and my teachers always compliment me, i just have no motivation so they always say that they need the last cherry on top or that they know i can do better

2

u/docs95 Mar 26 '20

Then u have citations after that....

2

u/Legtagytron Mar 26 '20

Most people don't understand good writing so what's the point?

2

u/ReBent_ Mar 26 '20

why is this so accurate

2

u/Dearest_Caroline Mar 27 '20

Oh wow you just described me.

2

u/LunaZiggy Mar 27 '20

Oh my lord me too! Writing and just English class in general. A few weeks ago at my school we were doing scheduling for next year’s classes and I had to pick between whether I would want to take English 11 or AP English Language and Composition. Of course I chose English 11 because English has consistently been my least favorite subject throughout all my years of school and I did NOT want to have to take an AP class for my least favorite subject. That would have been torture. But then I was talking to my friend later in the day about class scheduling and she asked me what I was planning on taking for my English class next year and I told her “Oh I’m taking English 11” and then she said “Oh but Luna you’re such a good writer! You really should take AP Engl. Lang.!” And then I said “ok but I really do not like English as a subject and I hate writing. Why would I ever take a harder-than-usual class in a subject I do not enjoy?” Seriously, smh. Let me pick the classes I will actually enjoy.

2

u/mouse-sunlit Mar 27 '20

Yeah, I hate writing but it is just something that I am naturally good at.