I Don't Have a Guilty Pleasure and Neither Should You

So here's a cute pic of me on the Lawn with my copy of The Declaration of Independence and Other Great Documents of American Importance, 1775-1865. I'm obviously doing school work here, right?

Wrong. 

You see, I have a special fascination with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, George Washington's Farewell Address, and the Gettysburg Address. 

Yeah, I know that's pretty nerdy. Like super nerdy. Like "maybe you shouldn't tell anyone about that, Elle, people will think you're weird" nerdy. 

But the thing is, I don't care what other people think about the things I like. 

I like documentarys about prominent political figures (highly recommend Ken Burns' The Roosevelts, an Intimate History!), musicals about Founding Fathers, blogs about history jokes, Disney movies, Disney World, the Indiana Jones movies, planning vacations, Star Wars, Nancy Drew books, One Direction (at least while they were around) and HGTV. 

I really don't care if people think that anything on this list should be considered a guilty pleasure. I don't really think anything should be considered a guilty pleasure at all. 

I just don't understand the concept. Why do we think it's okay to tell people they should be embarrassed for liking something? Why are people afraid to tell other people what things they like? 

I will literally talk for hours about how Alexander is a really underrated political figure and how Thomas Jefferson doesn't deserve his bad reputation. I would love to tell you all about my vacation to Disney World. I am always ready to crack a joke about a Greek god. 

I'm not ashamed of any of the things I like. I mean, sure, other people might think I'm socially inept for talking about things I love so openly, but I don't. 

Because sure, I can talk to you about history, movies, or music, but I can also talk to you about conflicts in the Middle East, the ongoing election, or the importance of education in developing nations. 

Any way, my point is that I've heard way too many people say "okay don't make fun of me, but I'm really into [insert 'guilty pleasure' here]," and that's not cool. No one should have to justify things they like. No one should have to feel stupid for liking something with a passion. 

While it is much easier said than done, don't let others' negative perceptions affect the things you like or talk about. 

You don't have to please anyone but yourself, ever. 

Living Life with FOMO

College is super duper exciting. 

One of your favorite fraternities is always having a party, there's always some bar special you "just can't miss," one of your friend's organizations is having an event you want to go to, etc.

But here's the thing--as much as you try, you can't do everything. And that's when the FOMO hits.

fo-mo (/FOmo/): the fear of missing out

I'll be completely honest, I get really bad FOMO. 

I hate it when I see a snapstory of some event I was invited to but missed. 

I hate it when my friends have a new inside joke that I'm not in on because I had a paper to turn in and didn't go out.

I hate it when I get confused when I'm listening to people tell stories about events I missed.

FOMO is a natural thing, and we all experience at some point or another. Everyone wants to be included (I think it's some sort of cave man instinct we have, or something equally as scientific).

But when you try to do everything, you'll wear yourself out. You can't go out every night of the week; your grades will slip, you'll get sick, or you'll stop enjoying it.

You don't have to go to everything. One of the greatest pieces of advice I ever received was that when you say no, it makes you seem more confident and it makes it seem like you have your life together.

And besides, at the end of the day, all a girl really needs is Netflix and a slice of pizza while sitting in bed. 

(Because really, you weren't going to start that paper until midnight)