Photo courtesy of Pexels via Pixabay

You don’t need anyone’s approval to enjoy what lights you up. This article is a gentle reminder that your joy doesn’t need to be justified.

By Sergio Toledo
Editor-in-Chief, Heed to Heal

Introduction

There’s a quiet pressure many of us carry—to be interesting, to have good taste, to like the “right” things. We’re taught, often without realizing it, to edit our preferences based on what’s socially approved. Whether it’s the music we play, the shows we rewatch, or the hobbies we pick up, we’re subtly encouraged to make our joy presentable. But the truth is simple and freeing:

You’re allowed to like what you like. Even if it’s basic. Even if it’s niche. Even if it’s not cool.

Where the Pressure Comes From

We live in a world that loves to rank things—best albums, smartest podcasts, most aesthetically pleasing hobbies. Algorithms reward trendiness. Conversations lean toward “what’s in.” Somewhere along the way, we learn to tuck away parts of ourselves that don’t fit the current moment.

Maybe you feel a little self-conscious about loving Hallmark movies. Or pop music. Or Pokémon. Maybe you knit, still use your iPod Nano, or collect things like rocks, old high school yearbooks, baseball cards. Maybe you’ve hidden those things because someone once made you feel small for loving them.

But here’s the thing: joy doesn’t need to be impressive to be valid.

Liking Things Is Human

The things you love—even the “silly” ones—are part of your emotional landscape. They tell stories about your past, your comfort zones, your identity. They may:

  • Remind you of who you were before life got heavy
  • Bring a sense of safety or familiarity
  • Connect you with a version of yourself you don’t often show

Liking something is about more than taste. It’s about resonance. Sometimes we love things simply because they make us feel okay in a world that often doesn’t.

Joy Doesn’t Need an Explanation

There’s something quietly radical about choosing joy without needing to justify it. Especially in a culture that pushes productivity, depth, and intellectualism. You don’t owe anyone a literary reason for loving romance novels. You don’t need a critical analysis of your favorite show. Sometimes, it just makes you feel good. That’s enough.

And if someone rolls their eyes? That says more about their insecurity than your enthusiasm.

Reclaiming Your Likes

One way to soften self-judgment is to ask: What am I stopping myself from enjoying because I’m afraid it looks silly?

Maybe it’s singing loudly. Wearing something whimsical. Revisiting a childhood obsession. Try letting yourself enjoy it again—not in secret, but openly. There’s power in unedited joy.

You don’t need to explain yourself. You don’t need a “cool” version of your interests. The raw, uncool, honest version is often where the healing lives.

Final Thoughts

You are not here to curate a perfect version of yourself for others to approve. You’re here to live. And living means laughing at dumb memes, loving weird movies, listening to songs on repeat, rewatching your comfort shows, and being a little extra about things that matter to you.

So go ahead—like what you like.
Love it loudly.
You don’t need permission.
But just in case—here it is anyway.

References:

  • Brown, Brené. (2010). The Gifts of Imperfection.
  • Levitin, D. (2014). The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload.
  • Ayishat Akanbi (Cultural thinker and stylist; public talks on authenticity and self-expression)

Originally published by Heed to Heal, 07.09.2025, under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.