#12: Not-so-guilty pleasures 🛁
This week, we're staying in bed a little longer. Also, the timer that increased my productivity, a celebrity I changed my mind about, and an ode to my favorite morning routine.
I have a bone to pick with the idea of guilty pleasures. Why should we feel guilty for liking what we like, for treating ourselves to a good feeling?
I think the idea of “guilty” pleasure comes from fear of judgment. When we’re not confident in our tendencies, we mark them as “guilty” to signal that we know we shouldn’t like something, even though we do.
I’ll give you an example: I love sleeping in. Love love love it. There’s nothing I like better than laying in bed for hours after I wake up. I love how cozy my blankets are, how warm the morning light is, and how centered I feel while laying in bed.
That doesn’t make me lazy or unmotivated or sloth. I am none of those things. In fact, most days I don’t lay in bed for a long time because I have a more productive day when I get up before nine. The fact that I find pleasure in just laying in bed means nothing about me other than determining an activity that I enjoy.
We have nothing to be sorry for when it comes to liking things. This is your hall pass to like what you like unapologetically, unabashedly. Decide today that you’re going to like things not because you’re afraid of judgment, but because you deserve to live a life filled with pleasure.
DO’S and DON’TS:
DO: Buy a sweatshirt one size too big. You’re never too old to feel like you’re a kid wearing your dad’s clothes.
DON’T: Worry about how your hair looks today. I think you look great.
DO: Listen to French café jazz. I love this playlist.
DON’T: Leave your computer plugged in all the time. Apparently, that’s bad for it?
DO: Check out my interview with Miss Utah 2021, Sasha Sloan.
DON’T: Put off that one thing you’ve been waiting to do. You know the one I’m talking about. It’s time to get it done.
“Required” reading:
How cute is this art-filled Charleston apartment?! (The Stripe)
I totally changed my mind about Grimes after reading this (Vanity Fair)
Here’s why romance needs its tropes (Literary Hub)
A beautiful cross-section of Ukraine’s art and culture (Prior)
If you’re a solo female traveler, check out these destinations (Afar)
This week’s aesthetic: skincare
The heroine recommends: E.ggTimer.com
This easy-to-use website is a countdown timer; that’s it. That’s literally all it does. But here’s what I love about it: first, I can use the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of break) without using my phone. I also love the sunset mode; it makes me happy. My productivity has definitely increased since I started using this tool, and I think my phone’s screen time is down, too.
How to access: visit e.ggtimer.com.
Click here to submit a recommendation!
A parting thought:
You are good because you are you.
xx, Annie