If you have been using Linux since floppies, and still haven't figured out how to keep Linux stable, you are doing something wrong. Also, WSL is not viable for getting work done on anything outside of user-space.
Discussion
I updated my fucking computers using the built in package manager. You know, routine system maintenance.
99% of software is written in user space.
If an OS requires constant effort to keep it running, then IT IS NOT STABLE.
A reasonable action, but that doesn't mean you know what you are doing. I also recognize you stated you have been using Linux for a long time. However, duration does not always equate to experience.
First, that is factually untrue. Second, is it a user-spaceapplications breaking your system? If not, it isn't relevant to your argument. If it is, the program wasn't architected properly, and you should get rid of it.
Of course an OS requires constant effort to keep running. That is the nature of computing. Name one OS in the world which doesn't push security updates (which is still supported). You can't!
Honestly, even when things do manage to go sideways, you should have disaster recovery plans implemented. There is no reason you should have to nuke and pave every time something goes wrong.