Exactly! This perfectly encapsulates why I have always hated the whole idea of "guilty pleasures." Why should I feel guilty for enjoying something? That's absurd. I never really thought about my teenage self being radical when I would answer, "I don't have any guilty pleasures, because I don't feel guilty about the things I like." But it really was pretty rebellious in a way I understand much better as an adult.
I heartily agree with this. Also, is it a guilty pleasure if it makes me feel better and therefore makes me a better parent/partner/human? I have been slowly shifting my mindset to this way of thinking. My husband would likely say that rekindling my love of romance novels has been very good for our relationship. ;)
My Unitarian church just had a three-part Sunday series called “Time Well Wasted,” about our need to bring delight into our lives, otherwise what’s the point? My own guilty pleasure--over-interest in professional sports--provides me with a sense of community, and gives me something to talk about with random strangers in bars, at the car dealership, and in the street. It’s an instant bond. Maybe sports are romance novels for guys--heroes, villains, and an HEA for the champs.
I think there is a lot of overlap between sports and romance in terms of the emotional needs they both serve, as well as a point of connection. A friend once explained to me that watching a sports game becomes extra thrilling when you know the drama and backstory of all the characters/players. It becomes more than just two people running around with a ball. Just like a romance becomes more than just two people kissing. Anyway...lots of fun comparisons to make and nothing to feel guilty about here!
Exactly! This perfectly encapsulates why I have always hated the whole idea of "guilty pleasures." Why should I feel guilty for enjoying something? That's absurd. I never really thought about my teenage self being radical when I would answer, "I don't have any guilty pleasures, because I don't feel guilty about the things I like." But it really was pretty rebellious in a way I understand much better as an adult.
Cheers to your teenage self. Stay rebellious, my friend! ;-)
I heartily agree with this. Also, is it a guilty pleasure if it makes me feel better and therefore makes me a better parent/partner/human? I have been slowly shifting my mindset to this way of thinking. My husband would likely say that rekindling my love of romance novels has been very good for our relationship. ;)
Happy wife = happy life! ;-)
My Unitarian church just had a three-part Sunday series called “Time Well Wasted,” about our need to bring delight into our lives, otherwise what’s the point? My own guilty pleasure--over-interest in professional sports--provides me with a sense of community, and gives me something to talk about with random strangers in bars, at the car dealership, and in the street. It’s an instant bond. Maybe sports are romance novels for guys--heroes, villains, and an HEA for the champs.
I think there is a lot of overlap between sports and romance in terms of the emotional needs they both serve, as well as a point of connection. A friend once explained to me that watching a sports game becomes extra thrilling when you know the drama and backstory of all the characters/players. It becomes more than just two people running around with a ball. Just like a romance becomes more than just two people kissing. Anyway...lots of fun comparisons to make and nothing to feel guilty about here!
Go Nuggets!
Don't forget we wrote a book about this once long ago!