OP is talking about dreading major kernel updates because shit might break. I’m not talking about tinkering (though I’d argue against that point too, btrfs and timeshift exist).

Arch updates so often I barely even notice a kernel update; I’m certainly not dreading it.

Also side point, super huge updates on arch are normally an indication that you didn’t perform a full system update in a while. If things are going to break it’s when you dont perform regular system maintenance.

No personal experience with Fedora but if that’d been your experience why not shift to Arch (btw) or something similar. Been daily driving for 3~4 years, super stable and always on latest releases.

Unpopular opinion: you can absolutely use Q tips if your ear canals are wider and you don’t just jam it in.

What I do is start at the entrance and twist as I go in and again as it’s coming out. My primary care has never found anything wrong with my ears.