In Defense Of All The Basic Bitches Out There
Confession: I’m basic.
I like fall- like really love it. I’m that weirdo breaking out the pumpkin on September 1st. I light scented candles. I wear UGG boots with leggings. I own Vera Bradley and Kate Spade and Lily Pulitzer. I curl my hair. I wear scarves. And yes, I drink Pumpkin Spice Lattes… multiple times a week.
I like Taylor Swift. I enjoy Pilates class. I don’t like DIY, but I’ll break out the adult coloring book every now and again. I read bestsellers. I’m obsessed with Shonda Rhimes. I instagram photos of my dog on the reg.
I’m basic.
Or maybe, just maybe, I like things. And sometimes, those things happen to be liked by other people. Sometimes those things are really popular. And I’m okay with that. My love or enjoyment of something is not at all affected by how many people happen to also like it.
In fact, the more popular something is, the more I l tend to like it. Because I almost like the experience of liking it more than the actual thing itself. I like calling you up to talk about it. I like reading about it online. I like laughing about it and obsessing about it and dreaming about it. I like the collective experience of liking things as a unit.
People call me basic like it is a bad thing, like it’s an insult to my intelligence and creativity. But passion is never basic, no matter where it’s placed. Joy doesn’t decrease by popularity. Enjoying something is never boring. That’s a contradictory statement.
You know what is boring and dull and unimaginative? Never having an opinion. Never having the courage to love something with your whole heart and put it out there for others to witness.
You know what I think is basic? Sitting on the sidelines and judging.
Refusing to like anything that other people love. Thinking you’re above everyone else’s enjoyment. Caring more about the perceived popularity of the thing than the thing itself. That’s basic.
Look, I’m not exactly innocent in this myself. I’m pretty good at judging other people based on appearances and assumptions. But this new trend of thinking people are dumb because they like things, because they express interest or excitement about something? It’s ridiculous. And harmful.
Why is it a national pastime to mock things that are popular? Can’t we all just cut each other some slack? If you don’t like PSLs, don’t buy one, but could you maybe not insult my intelligence based on the fact that I happen to like a popular beverage?
I like people who put their shit out there. People who actively like things. People who are passionate and invested and interested. People who generally give a shit. And those people? They’re easy to mock, because they put it all out on the table. They make a statement. They are trying things and enjoying things and really living. They’re not timid. They’re all freaking in.
These are the people I respect and admire and want to be around. People that have interests and aren’t afraid to talk about them. Even if what they’re interested is annoyingly popular, or outdated, or not at all my style. If you truly like and value something, I respect you for it, even if I don’t hold the same view. I recognize your passion. That’s better than someone who stays on the sideline and judges and makes comments but never takes a stand for anything.
Stop subtweeting the world about how you can’t believe UGG boots are still a thing. Stop bitching about how dumb it is to like The Bachelorette. Stop complaining about things other people like, and go find something to like yourself. And then talk about it. And post about it. And be happy about it.
And then maybe drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte because those things are for real delicious. 