35 Guilty Pleasure Examples (That We Secretly Love)
We all have our guilty pleasures—those things we love even though we might hesitate to admit it out loud. Whether they’re cheesy, nostalgic, overly indulgent, or totally unserious, they bring a special kind of joy. And honestly, the world could use more of that.
Here are 35 guilty pleasure examples that are quirky, comforting, and entirely human.
- Watching reality TV marathons
From dating chaos to dramatic arguments over nothing, reality TV is the ultimate escape. It’s messy, exaggerated, and you just can’t look away—even if you’re judging it the whole time. - Eating ice cream straight from the tub
There’s something deliciously rebellious about skipping the bowl and diving in spoon-first. It’s comfort food at its most literal—and it always hits the emotional sweet spot. - Singing in the shower like you’re on stage
Maybe it’s the acoustics, maybe it’s the privacy—but suddenly you’re a Grammy-winning performer with a shampoo bottle microphone. No one’s judging. Belt it out. - Rewatching childhood cartoons as an adult
Whether it’s for nostalgia or stress relief, revisiting the shows that shaped your childhood is a cozy way to reconnect with your inner kid—and they’re often funnier than you remembered. - Binge-watching teen dramas
The characters are half your age, the stakes are hilariously overblown, but the angst? Absolutely addictive. It’s emotional fast food, and you’re loving every bite. - Following celebrity gossip
You don’t need to know who’s dating who or why someone wore that dress—but it’s oddly satisfying to keep up. It’s like peeking through a glammed-up, exaggerated window into someone else’s life. - Dancing around your house when no one’s watching
Whether it’s kitchen grooving or hallway twirling, dancing like no one’s watching is energizing, freeing, and a great mood booster. Sometimes your living room really is the best club in town. - Listening to cheesy pop songs on repeat
Maybe it’s catchy. Maybe it’s ridiculous. But when it’s blasting through your headphones, it’s your anthem. And you’ll hit “replay” proudly (even if you pretend not to). - Reading fanfiction at 2 a.m.
The official story wasn’t enough, and now you’re three chapters deep in an alternate universe romance between two side characters. Don’t worry—it happens to the best of us. - Playing mobile games obsessively
You downloaded it “just to try it,” and now it’s part of your daily routine. Crushing candies or building villages? Totally valid stress relief. - Watching holiday movies all year long
Who says December gets to hog all the cozy romance and magical snow? Watching a feel-good holiday flick in June is pure serotonin. - Taking selfies you never post
Sometimes it’s not about the likes—it’s about capturing a moment when you feel good. That selfie folder? A private confidence booster. - Reading horoscopes (and kind of believing them)
You know it’s vague and general, but somehow your horoscope always knows you’re “on the verge of a big emotional breakthrough.” Coincidence? - Staying in pajamas all day on your day off
No makeup, no waistband, no errands. Just comfort, coffee, and the best kind of laziness. Self-care at its snuggliest. - Watching food videos without ever making the recipes
There’s something hypnotic about a gooey cheese pull or a perfectly folded dumpling—even if you’re eating cereal while watching it. - Crying during cheesy commercials
It’s just a dog reunion or a holiday hug, but somehow you’re a mess. Sentimental? Absolutely. Beautiful? Definitely. - Keeping a stash of candy in your desk drawer
It’s for emergencies. Emotional ones. And you know exactly which candy hits the spot. - Following pet influencers
There’s no logical reason to follow a corgi that wears sunglasses—but that little guy makes your whole week better. - Stalking your old classmates on social media
It starts innocent. Then you’re 45 minutes deep, four jobs back, wondering if their kitchen backsplash is new. - Buying more notebooks than you’ll ever use
They’re just so pretty. You might use one for journaling. Someday. Maybe. Probably not. - Eating breakfast for dinner
Pancakes, bacon, and eggs at 8 p.m. taste better than they ever did at 8 a.m. Science can’t explain it. - Talking to your pet like they’re a roommate
“I can’t believe what Susan said in the meeting today, right?” Your dog gets it. Probably more than Susan did. - Watching ASMR videos
Whether it’s whispers or crinkles, it triggers a soothing response you can’t quite explain—but you’re weirdly hooked. - Googling every minor health symptom
You probably just need water and a nap. But just in case—it could be something rare and fascinating. - Following home makeover accounts but never renovating
You live in a rental, but in your heart? You’re an HGTV star with impeccable tile taste. - Rewatching your comfort TV show for the 10th time
You know every plot twist, but it still feels like a warm hug. Again and again. - Looking up spoilers… and still watching anyway
You just needed to know they survive. The suspense was too much. But you’ll still enjoy every scene. - Doing personality quizzes that tell you what bread you are
You didn’t know you were a baguette until today, but now everything makes sense. - Playing sad music when you’re sad
Amplify the mood. Stare out the window like you’re in a music video. Sometimes it just feels good to feel. - Sleeping in way past your alarm
“Just 10 more minutes” becomes two extra hours—and honestly, you needed the rest more than the productivity. - Making up dramatic fake scenarios in your head
Entire fictional storylines, arguments, and award speeches—all starring you. Mental theater at its finest. - Smelling books because they just smell good
Old or new, hardback or paperback—there’s nothing like the scent of paper and possibility. - Laughing at memes you’ve already seen a hundred times
They never get old. And somehow they’re still relevant. Internet humor = timeless. - Watching people clean on YouTube instead of cleaning your own place
It’s weirdly satisfying. You feel productive just by watching… even if your dishes are still in the sink. - Reading articles about guilty pleasures and saying, “That’s me.”
Because it is. And we’re all in this together—loving the silly things that make life sweeter.
Final Thoughts
Guilty pleasures aren’t really about guilt—they’re about the little joys that help us unwind, laugh, feel seen, or connect with our past selves. Whether they’re weird, nostalgic, or wonderfully useless, they make life feel more human.
So own them. Embrace them. And the next time someone asks what you do for fun, feel free to say, “I watch cleaning videos I’ll never follow—and I love it.”
