What Is a Guilty Pleasure? 39 Relatable Examples

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Why we feel guilty about liking certain things (and why we shouldn’t)
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Have you ever swapped out your romance novel for a copy of Catch 22 to seem more high-brow at the bookstore? Denied listening to Taylor Swift even while All Too Well finds its way onto all too many of your playlists? Felt guilty sleeping in on a Sunday even when you have nowhere to be? All of these examples of guilty pleasures are practically universal human experiences, so why do we still feel so much shame around them? We’ll give the answer to that question along with a list of guilty pleasure examples that almost everyone can relate to. Plus, we’ll share the expert insight of professional life coach Amber Rosenberg and licensed psychologist Catherine Boswell on how to understand and cope with shame around your guilty pleasures.

Examples of Guilty Pleasures

A guilty pleasure is an activity or thing you enjoy but feel slightly embarrassed by or shameful about. Common examples of guilty pleasures include eating an unhealthy treat, watching reality TV, and sleeping past noon.

Section 1 of 3:

39 Guilty Pleasure Examples

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  1. Maybe it’s chocolate mousse, maybe it’s red velvet cake, maybe it’s a sundae bar for one. Whatever your sweet treat of choice, spoiling yourself with something a little extra special can brighten your day and satisfy your sweet tooth. [1]
  2. 2
    Picking up greasy fast food for dinner We all know that fast food isn’t the best for us, but we still enjoy having the old-school comfort of a burger and fries from time to time. If what you’re really craving for dinner is only found in the McDonald’s drive-through, then treat yourself! [2]
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  3. 3
    Eating an entire container of ice cream You may have intended for that pint of Ben & Jerry’s to last you the whole week, but sometimes your stress or sadness gets the best of you. While frequent emotional eating can be a cause for concern, sometimes there’s no greater cure for a bad day than eating a delicious treat straight from the container. [3]
    • Another particularly popular variation on loving food you know you shouldn’t be eating is raw cookie dough batter. Despite the health warnings against this habit, it remains a popular guilty pleasure that’s difficult to discourage.
  4. 4
    Having breakfast for dinner Breaking food rules can feel like a tiny act of rebellion to add some fun and spontaneity into a monotonous daily routine. Whip up some pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, or whatever your preferred breakfast item may be, and eat that as your evening meal.
  5. It may seem like an insult to the natural order of things, but eating dessert before dinner is one of those things that feels naughty but is really harmless. If dinner time is just around the corner but you’re really craving a handful of those Reese’s Pieces you have in the pantry…just go for it!
  6. 6
    Having an adult beverage after work It’s incredibly common to head home after work and crack upon a beer or a bottle of wine. Whatever your alcohol of choice, there’s still a bit of taboo around having a drink on a work night. As long as it’s kept in moderation and doesn’t interfere with your ability to do your job come morning, it’s okay to seek a little bit of relaxation after a particularly long day at the office.
  7. 7
    Ordering delivery when you don’t feel like cooking Sometimes, spending an hour whipping up something from scratch feels like too much. While you may hear your parents’ voice in your head saying we have dinner at home , it’s nice to take a break from meal-prepping and get takeout from your favorite neighborhood restaurant instead.
  8. 8
    Spending $8 on your morning latte While it may seem like an outlandish price to pay for a coffee, sometimes that overpriced cup of joe can give you the boost you need to get through the day. As long as your spending is balanced out in other areas, there’s no shame in the espresso game!
  9. You’re a human being, not a robot, and the constant need to be productive can be really draining. Even if you think you should be getting started on that project or assignment, let yourself watch one more episode of your show or finish the next chapter of your book. A little bit of procrastination from time to time can give you the break that your mind and body are craving. [4]
  10. 10
    Spending all day in your pajamas There’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a break from the daily dressing-up and making yourself look presentable. Spending the whole day lounging around in your coziest PJs can feel super relaxing and freeing. [5]
  11. 11
    Working from the comfort of your own bed While you may know that it’s better for you to have a workspace separate from your sleep space…that doesn’t always reflect reality. If you work from home, sometimes there’s nothing better than leaning against a pillow and cracking open your laptop (but maybe move to the desk for any Zoom meetings with your supervisor).
  12. 12
    Sleeping in (late) In a world of alarms and early-morning meetings, there’s nothing quite as blissful as sleeping in way past sunrise. If your schedule allows for it, sleeping in on a weekday can give you a particular rush of guilty luxury. [6]
  13. Splurging on something that you don’t really need can give you a true boost of serotonin (and a split-second of relief) after a stressful day or week. Whether you pick up a luxury accessory, buy flowers for yourself, or even grab a new piece of home decor from Target, you’re not alone in turning to shopping when you need a little bit of pleasure in your life. [7]
  14. 14
    Binge-watching your favorite TV show Nothing quite turns your brain off like watching endless hours of your preferred comfort show. TV shows help you detach from reality for a little while, and sometimes your brain needs that break! [8]
    • Reality shows are often named as a guilty pleasure, as most of us aren’t hasty to admit that we enjoy some petty drama or harebrained dating competitions.
    • But the truth is that most people enjoy an opportunity to focus on something outside their own lives. If reality TV is that escape for you, then you should embrace it!
  15. 15
    Watching your favorite childhood movies Even if you’re way past the supposedly “appropriate” age to be watching movies aimed at the elementary school set, there’s a good amount of comfort in returning to the nostalgic films of your childhood. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, fire up your streaming service, and start singing along to the cartoony soundtracks of your youth! [9]
  16. 16
    Watching sappy romance movies They may seem cheesy or unrealistic, but romantic movies can be as entertaining as any. Whether you’re having a good cry after your 500th viewing of The Notebook or pairing your popcorn with a goofy rom-com like Can’t Hardly Wait , you shouldn’t be embarrassed to admit that you love these swoon-worthy flicks. [10]
  17. Sure, watching a movie can be fun, but have you ever spent two hours falling down a rabbit hole of strange internet videos? Nope, me neither. In all seriousness, it’s easy to let the hours slip by while watching these mind-numbing (and fascinating) videos—but it’s also fun!
  18. 18
    Watching pimple popping videos on TikTok Pimple popping videos are viral for a reason—and it’s because many (many) people find them to be disgustingly satisfying! [11] You may also find guilty pleasure in popping your own pimples, even if you have to momentarily forget that popping pimples usually only makes them worse.
  19. 19
    Following celebrity gossip Getting overly invested in celebrity families, feuds, break-ups, and make-ups can seem like a waste of your time, energy, and mental capacity. But it can also be a silly and lighthearted way to take a break from your own life and focus on someone else’s (without any of the repercussions you’d get from gossiping about people in your actual life!). [12]
  20. 20
    Playing video games for hours Video games are a great leisure activity that let you relax and enjoy your downtime while also challenging your mind and having some fun. If you have an empty stretch of uninterrupted free time, you shouldn’t feel any guilt about breaking out Candy Crush on your iPad or settling into the couch to play some FIFA. [13]
  21. Getting lost in a riveting book can be such a magical feeling, but we’re taught to think it’s embarrassing to read certain genres (e.g., romance, thrillers, celebrity memoirs, etc.). You don’t have to be reading Shakespeare to feel good about enjoying a day curled up with your favorite paperback (and if yours is Shakespeare, that’s okay too!). [14]
  22. 22
    Taking personality quizzes online Most online personality quizzes are admittedly silly, although some may give you real insights into your personality (like the Myers-Brigg test or the Big Five assessment ). But if they’re not strictly “useful,” it sure can be fun to spend an evening learning what your favorite nugget shape or Olivia Rodrigo single says about you.
  23. 23
    Scrolling through social media Mindlessly scrolling through your social media feed can help you turn off your brain for a little while. You can relax your mind, catch up on what’s happening in your social circle, and maybe even get inspired by a few TikTok dances along the way. [15]
  24. 24
    Stalking someone’s social media profile Many people have a fascination with snooping on other people’s pages and following down the rabbit hole of your ex-girlfriend’s sister’s best friend’s cousin. As long as you don’t end up accidentally liking a post from 2014, there’s nothing too dangerous about this guilty pleasure (and nearly everyone does it). [16]
  25. 25
    Taking 100 selfies to get the perfect one Taking selfies has become practically as necessary to human function as breathing—while it’s hard to deny that selfies are a bit self-absorbed, it can also be fun to take a bunch of pictures and choose one you love or your next Insta story. [17]
  26. Even if you have no place to be, you could still make a night of it by dressing up to the nines for no reason! Maybe you want to have a solo photoshoot in your room, make yourself a fancy cocktail while listening to Frank Sinatra, or maybe you’re just dying to try on that new outfit you just bought.
    • You might not be bragging about how you spent your night with colleagues the next day, but it sure sounds enjoyable!
  27. 27
    Skipping your daily wellness exercises Whether you’re a morning journal writer or a sunset yogi, it can be shame-inducing to take a day from your daily wellness or workout routine. But it’s important to remember that the best thing for your mental and physical health is balance. [18]
    • If your typical therapeutic routines aren’t happening today, try sitting quietly, taking a walk, or doing something else that relaxes you instead.
  28. 28
    Staying at home instead of going out with friends Sometimes you need a reset, and a night in can do just that. Staying home to focus on self-care rather than heading out to socialize can make a big difference in your mental health, especially if you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed or drained. [19]
    • You don’t want to make a habit of flaking on your friends, but they should understand your need to cancel from time to time.
    • If you feel nervous or guilty about rain checking on your plans, Rosenberg recommends the Sandwich Approach.
    • To use the Sandwich Approach, as Rosenberg describes it, “start with a positive, ask for what you want or need, and then end with a positive.”
    • “For example,” Rosenberg continues, “you can say ‘I’m really looking forward to hanging out with you and, at the same time, I can no longer make it at this time. Can we please schedule another time to get together? Thanks for understanding.’”​​
  29. 29
    Taking a long bath It’s important to find things that allow you to press pause on the outside world, and taking a relaxing bath is one of them. More for comfort than for actual hygiene purposes, baths are an ideal way to rewind, take a break, and do something that’s just for you—no guilt about it! [20]
  30. 30
    Singing alone to guilty pleasure tunes Whether it’s catchy pop tracks, cheesy power ballads, or classic Broadway bops, your all-time favorite songs can bring up your mood fast. Even if you leave these songs off of your public Spotify playlists, you can still belt them in the car during your morning commute or dance around your kitchen like no one’s watching! [21]
  31. It may feel a bit too embarrassing to whip out your best Australian surfer impression when around your friends and family…but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it in the privacy of your own home! If your secret delight is talking to yourself in a British accent when nobody’s around, then go ahead and have a bloody good time doing it!
  32. 32
    Indulging in a hobby you rarely have time for With all the emphasis on being productive, sometimes we forget to make time for the hobbies that we love…but that don’t “accomplish” anything. Set aside a few hours to sit down and do something you creatively enjoy, like crafting, sketching, knitting, or playing an instrument.
  33. 33
    Browsing online for your dream apartment or house Daydreaming about your fantasy house is a very worthy pastime, and you may have even spent hours on Zillow or Apartments.com clicking through countryside estates and uptown brownstones. While they may not be in your budget now, they can satisfy that longing inside of you to make-believe shop for these dream homes.
  34. 34
    Taking the soap and shampoo bottles from hotels Is it technically stealing? No. Does it feel just taboo enough to satisfy your guilty pleasure quota for the week? Definitely yes. Swiping those miniature beauty bottles can give you quite the rush, but you’re really just getting what you paid for.
  35. Break out of your routine with a spontaneous day trip to your nearest town, beach, or mountain trail (if you have extra paid days off at work… use them!). Sometimes, your brain needs a break, and an escape from your daily routine to embrace new sights and experiences can be just what you need.
  36. 36
    Daydreaming up stories in your head There are some days when real life just isn’t doing it for you, so you may want to escape into your mind and fantasize for a little bit! You get to be completely in control of the setting, story, and dialogue of the idyllic little world you’ve placed yourself in…just don’t get lost in it for too long.
  37. 37
    Gossiping with friends You’ve probably been taught that gossip is a sinful habit. But, the truth is that most people need some mindless gossip to chat over with friends—and recent research actually suggests that gossip services a vital social function. [22]
    • While you may not feel so proud of it, gossip can provide entertainment, bonding, and pleasant satisfaction—as long as someone else isn’t getting hurt in the process. [23]
  38. 38
    Whining or complaining Venting can be such a huge relief from the little mishaps and inconveniences of life. Maybe it’s your morning coffee spilling on the train, your third bad first date in a row, or your favorite movie getting yanked off of Netflix. Even if the complaints are petty, it can be really validating to whine a bit to the people close to you and get some of that angst off of your chest. [24]
  39. Maybe you bumped into a good-looking person at a coffee shop across town or even at the beach on your most recent vacation. Even if you know that the conversation will go nowhere, chatting them up and having a little flirtatious back-and-forth can leave you with a little boost of energy and confidence!
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Section 2 of 3:

What is a guilty pleasure?

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  1. Guilty pleasures can be certain activities, foods, habits, movies, TV programs, songs, etc. The minor shame or embarrassment around these enjoyable things usually comes from a belief that you’ll be judged for it, that it’s bad for you, or that it’s a purposeless endeavor. [25]
    • You can identify a guilty pleasure if there’s something in your life that brings you joy but that you feel embarrassed to share with others.
    • It’s important to remember that guilty pleasures are a completely healthy and normal part of life. They can make living feel more enjoyable, especially during stressful periods of your life.
    • Research shows that guilty pleasures can even be good for your brain function. [26] Guilty pleasures allow your brain to rest and bring you more happiness, which can, in turn, make you more productive. [27]
    • The key is to enjoy guilty pleasures in moderation (without letting them consume your life) and to not worry about what others think! We all have them!
  2. Guilty pleasures should be used in moderation to balance out the more stressful or difficult parts of life, and they should never be so awful or so consuming as to ruin someone’s life. After you’ve enjoyed your so-called “guilty pleasure,” reflect on how the activity made you feel. Do you feel more inspired, happy, and motivated to be productive? Or do you feel drained, lazy, and unproductive? [28]
    • If you don’t feel like your guilty pleasures benefit you, consider adjusting how much time you spend on this activity or swap it out with a different one.
    • If you use your guilty pleasures to cope with stress, procrastinate, or avoid responsibilities to a damaging degree, they may be more harmful than you think.
    • For example, harmful habits disguised as guilty pleasures may look like eating an entire cake after a stressful Monday on more than one occasion or obsessively exercising every day (even when you’re ill). These types of habits may point to addictive or disordered behaviors that should be addressed through counseling.
    • Boswell advises that “sleuthing out your pattern will help you know proactively when you are at risk of doing something self-destructive. Because addictive behavior is often a way to avoid the intense pain of isolation and loneliness, support groups are a great way to find help.”
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Section 3 of 3:

Why We Feel Guilty About Pleasure

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  1. “Perpetual guilt often has its seeds in childhood,” asserts Boswell, so much of our shame around “guilty” pleasures comes from cultural or societal ideals ingrained during our youth. In general, the main psychological reasons why we feel guilty about pleasure include: [29]
    • Productivity & hustle culture: A societal pressure to always be productive or be achieving more can lead to guilty feelings during leisure time. [30]
    • Religious and cultural beliefs: The beliefs taught to you as a child may make you feel that certain activities are frivolous, pointless, or even immoral.
    • Fear of judgment: Worrying about what other people will think about our sources of joy can lead to guilty or shameful feelings.
    • Health and fitness expectations: The cultural focus on fitness and body image can create guilt around skipping a workout or eating supposedly “bad” foods.
    • The myth of self-improvement: The societal idea that we constantly need to be bettering ourselves can make time for relaxation feel like a waste of time (it isn’t).

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      • If you’re struggling with feeling guilty about your guilty pleasures, try to overcome those shameful feelings by putting yourself in the shoes of a friend or loved one. Would you think they were stupid or silly for enjoying some downtime or some catchy music?
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      • Boswell highlights the value of “forgiving yourself as an important practice. If you would let a friend off the hook for the same thing you are feeling guilty about, then why not let yourself off the hook?”
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-love-and-war/201205/5-guilty-pleasures-you-can-stop-feeling-guilty-about
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-love-and-war/201205/5-guilty-pleasures-you-can-stop-feeling-guilty-about
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-love-and-war/201205/5-guilty-pleasures-you-can-stop-feeling-guilty-about
      4. ↑ https://kentuckycounselingcenter.com/why-guilty-pleasures-are-good/
      5. ↑ https://isidramencos.com/guilty-pleasures/
      6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-love-and-war/201205/5-guilty-pleasures-you-can-stop-feeling-guilty-about
      7. ↑ https://kentuckycounselingcenter.com/why-guilty-pleasures-are-good/
      8. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-love-and-war/201205/5-guilty-pleasures-you-can-stop-feeling-guilty-about
      9. ↑ https://nypost.com/2018/07/02/americas-top-guilty-pleasures-revealed/
      1. ↑ https://www.wpr.org/books/professor-lets-drop-guilty-guilty-pleasure
      2. ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-blog/2017/june/the-obsession-with-pimple-popping
      3. ↑ https://helpfulprofessor.com/guilty-pleasure-examples/#10_Examples_of_Guilty_Pleasures
      4. ↑ https://kentuckycounselingcenter.com/why-guilty-pleasures-are-good/
      5. ↑ https://www.wpr.org/books/professor-lets-drop-guilty-guilty-pleasure
      6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-love-and-war/201205/5-guilty-pleasures-you-can-stop-feeling-guilty-about
      7. ↑ https://helpfulprofessor.com/guilty-pleasure-examples/#10_Examples_of_Guilty_Pleasures
      8. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/what-selfies-are-doing-to-girls-self-esteem/
      9. ↑ https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/move/skip-your-workout-and-the-guilt
      10. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/canceling-plans
      11. ↑ https://helpfulprofessor.com/guilty-pleasure-examples/#10_Examples_of_Guilty_Pleasures
      12. ↑ https://kentuckycounselingcenter.com/why-guilty-pleasures-are-good/
      13. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22229458/
      14. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-love-and-war/201205/5-guilty-pleasures-you-can-stop-feeling-guilty-about
      15. ↑ https://www.npr.org/2006/09/13/6066543/the-joys-and-perils-of-whining-at-work
      16. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/overthinking-tv/202011/guilty-pleasures-are-just-pleasures
      17. ↑ https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/guilty-pleasures-reality-tv-rest-brain-benef.html
      18. ↑ https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3470734
      19. ↑ https://healthmatch.io/mental-health/guilty-pleasures-arent-guilty#can-we-enjoy-our-guilty-pleasures-too-much
      20. ↑ https://healthmatch.io/mental-health/guilty-pleasures-arent-guilty#guilty-pleasures-don-t-really-exist
      21. ↑ https://lithub.com/the-concept-of-the-guilty-pleasure-privileges-productivity-above-all-else/

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