2023: The Year I Enjoyed Things

I don’t know about anyone else, but I feel like it’s been a hard couple of news years and I often find myself doom scrolling instead of enjoying things. It was all becoming too much, so I decided to try something new. I try to be aware of what is going on in the world while also trying to see the good things as well to protect my mental health a bit.  Despite all the bad news, something good came out of 2023: people, specifically women, were allowed to enjoy things. It was a year of fun media. 

I love dressing up for movies but I do it less and less these days because not many people do it anymore. I used to cosplay so dressing up for movies brings back the fun of that. Then Barbie came around. It was so lovely to see so many people dress up in pink to go to the movie. More than that it was so amazing to see such a fun but feminist movie directed by a woman. There was no male gaze. I felt like the movie was really made for me and I loved every second of it. 

2023 also reminded me of my Taylor Swift obsession. It’s been a good year to be a Taylor Swift fan. I’ve been following along with the Eras tour and the theories and the secret songs. I’ve been listening to her on repeat (she may have been my number one artist on Apple Music this year). I dressed up and went to the Eras tour movie with my friendship bracelets. I’ve even been enjoying the memes of her and Travis. Basically, I’ve stopped caring what people think about me liking Taylor Swift and just let myself enjoy the fun. 

This year I’ve really let myself enjoy romance novels as well. I’ve read 204 books so far, and most of them are romance novels. Who cares if they’re not seen as “real literature”. I adore them. There’s something so comforting about knowing that it’s going to end with a happily ever after. When things are so uncertain I can pick up a romance novel and know how it’s going to end. Romance is one of the best-selling genres and I’m letting myself enjoy it.

All these things have that in common;: they’re supposed to be for women. And guess what? I’m going to fully enjoy them. Fun is for everyone and I’m embracing it.