My (Not Quite) Guilty Pleasures

As a rule, guilty pleasures are things that we enjoy despite a certain amount of low regard by society or our specific peer group. It's usually embarrassing to admit our affinity for or be caught enjoying these things. Guilty pleasures deliver escapism through a mix of “you just had to be there” idiosyncrasy vibes, hedonism, and pleasure.

I know that some people hate the movie Love Actually or find it problematic. That’s fine. Nothing is perfect, including my holiday romcom guilty pleasure. Spoiler, I’m never going to abandon Love Actually. And no, I don’t want a sequel.

Love Actually is a guilty pleasure with a bonus guilty pleasure inside it! Do you remember that scene where the Prime Minister is caught doing a lip synch dance to Jump (For My Love) by the Pointer Sisters? He was all-in, carrying on like a karaoke diva singing about how he’s hot enough to get anybody he wants. And then a member of staff walks in. That’s a classic guilty pleasure!

I’ve been leaning into the guilty pleasures throughout these wild times, but I don’t mind sharing a few details.

Cryptid programming

Cryptids are animals that aren’t confirmed to exist by mainstream science. Think Bigfoot and Nessie.  I’m agnostic or incredulous about all of them, but shows featuring the search for these animals are too juicy to skip.

These shows keep to a reality TV format featuring an expedition of some sort. The team takes various technologies out into the forest where they tromp around in the dark in hopes of locating said cryptid animals.

Paging Chanel

It’s my policy to skip scents in advocacy spaces in solidarity with folks dealing with asthma, MCAS, and migraines. And I generally limit using them away from home for the same reasons.

My sister buys me Chanel perfumes, because they’re my favorite. Yes, I am spoiled, but it makes me so happy. I’ve basically been home since 2020, so maybe this is my Chanel golden age? Yeah, that sounds much better than can’t safely go anywhere.

My own personal forest

Did you know that some people keep a Christmas tree decorated all year round?! Okay, hear me out. Yes, it’s strange, but so what? Why should my ornaments go to waste 11 months of the year?

I bought my dream Christmas tree with a portion of my 2019 birthday money. She’s a tall downswept pencil tree with just the right amount of flocking. Right now, she’s decked out in blue and white mermaid themed ornaments. And I couldn’t be happier!

Everything yarn

Crafting has always been important to me, but I’ve only been crocheting for 15 years. I probably have enough yarn, crochet hooks, and projects to make, but that doesn’t stop me looking for more or pinning more sweater patterns that I’ll never make in this lifetime.

My guilty pleasures Honorable Mentions

-Binge watching Eleanor Morton videos on YouTube. She is hilarious, but it’s nearly impossible to watch just one or two videos.
-Frozen Pizza.
-Diet Soda.
-Cheesy 1980s love songs.
-Romance Novels.

What’s your guilty pleasure?