Today I was thinking about guilty pleasures, those things that we do that for some reason we feel like we shouldn't.
You know the type of thing. The cheesy 80s movie that you’ve seen 100 times, the pop song you danced to as a teenager that you still play from time-to-time, the trashy magazine you grab on impulse at the checkout
Somehow we view the comfort that these things can bring in a judgemental way or like we shouldn't really be doing them. Now more than ever is a great time to remember your guilty pleasures and to use them supportively. Prioritising things and acts that give us even a small sense of comfort during this difficult time.
Rather than feeling guilty about doing these things we need to deliberately and skilfully use them as ways to support and nourish ourselves.
So take a moment to sit down and list your favourite film, book, song/album. Dig-out the baggy old jumper that you like to snuggle in. Take time to do yourself a mini face or hand treatment.
What little acts of self-care or self-kindness could you undertake right now?
Another idea you could write a note to yourself. Almost a rainy day letter. Something to you can read back on a bad day or in a difficult moment. Maybe a full letter maybe just a simple phrase that reminds you that it's ok to struggle but that things can get better. This situation of self-isolation has had people drawing parallels with previous times of curfew during civil unrest and wartime. Whether you're a fan or not Winston Churchill has provided us with some of the most iconic soundbites
"If you're going through hell, keep going," he famously said.
So as we all keep going individually and collectively remembering to take time to take care.
And when you get a minute, look on YouTube for that song you loved as a teenager. As you play, recognise the nostalgia and the familiarity and enjoy it guilt-free.
Written by:
Sarah Kenny
Online CBT Therapist
My Therapist Online
Sarah Kenny is an experienced and BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) at My Therapist Online, with over 21 years of clinical expertise across the NHS and international healthcare settings. As both a Registered Mental Health Nurse and qualified CBT practitioner with a Master’s degree in CBT, Sarah brings deep compassion and specialist knowledge to her online therapy work. She supports clients with a wide range of mental health concerns, from anxiety, depression and OCD to self-esteem, life transitions, and complex trauma. Sarah also integrates Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her practice, offering a flexible and personalised approach to care. At My Therapist Online, Sarah is committed to helping individuals not just recover, but thrive.
