Unlike you, sadly, I love to torture myself.
I play on Hardcore mode and I cannot stand to put myself on any other mode, even if it's a modpack I have not tried.

I love the thrill and I think people should also give it a hand. The adrenaline, the fear! It's all I could want in a game that pushes my buttons and limits to show me how developed I can be at the end of the day.

But, if you like none of that above, I suggest either like what the OP said Peaceful mode or Normal!
There's nothing wrong in having no challenges in a game that's entire gist is sandbox and exploring. Hell, I hate losing everything I worked up for only to lose it because of something that could've been avoided pretty easily!