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I feel like we have come full circle, in a way. Last year, this time, we started the first lockdown. Back then I thought it would be sorted by summer. Now, when my husband asked me about going camping this summer, I told him not to plan anything, because what was the point. We have so many vouchers from Easyjet and hotels from last year. it's ridiculous.
If you read my last newsletter, you'll know I've dived into the world of kpop, which in turn has taken me to TikTok (I don't post anything, or at least I haven't yet, so I won't share my handle), and I've discovered that some find being a kpop fan embarrassing. I've also discovered some people find being an anime (Japanese animation) fan also embarrassing.
Well, to those people I say duck you! Except that there is no ducks...
I've spent a long part of my life being embarrassed. Through that, I have developed an eating disorder, which only lead to more embarrassment (I only recently discovered not everybody feels second hand embarrassment. I don't even know what that would be like.) Why being embarrassed about something you like?
Kpop music is fun, sometimes is touching, sometimes is silly. Whatever it is, right now it's helping me to cope and many other people too.
As for anime, Japanese animation has some of the best storytelling in the world. With a somewhat simple drawing style, they manage to tell incredibly intricate narrations, and transmit complex feelings. And there are as many genres as you can find in RL tv shows and movies. Anime is better than most movies done today, at least.
It's the same than with romance novels. Maybe it's because it's a genre mostly directed at women, and as such, it's not perceived as worthy. Isn't it ludicrous? As if love was a subject only for women. As if men don't want to be loved and find the perfect woman for them. Most men want a family. Most men want to share their lives with another person. So why the lack of understanding towards romance? Romance is a subplot in most movies, including action, and there is a reason for it. We all want it, men too.
Romance novels are mostly easy to read, and provide a thrill with a good chance at a HEA and the good feelings that come with that. And if there is something we need right is good feelings.
I was going to summarize my point advising to ignore the people who want to dismiss our interests or embarrass us about it, but I've change my mind. Don't ignore them, throw it back in their faces. Ask them the questions. Don't they want to meet somebody? Don't they want to be happy? If they say yes, grab the nearest romance novel to you and throw it at them. Maybe it'll get into their heads with the impact.
At the end, if you're happy and you're not hurting anybody, then nobody has a right to judge you for it.
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