Admit it, being a grown man comes with a lot of pressure to seem like you’ve got everything together all the time. But honestly, who’s keeping score? Life gets a lot better when you stop pretending and just start enjoying what you like.
Whether it’s something oddly specific or something you’ve been low-key enjoying for years, these are the little things that bring comfort, laughs, or just a break from the chaos. Here’s your official permission slip to enjoy 20 of them, judgment-free.
1. Rewatching childhood cartoons
There’s something oddly comforting about flipping on an old cartoon from your Saturday morning lineup. It doesn’t matter if the animation’s clunky or the jokes are corny, it hits like a warm bowl of nostalgia.
Some folks might say you’ve outgrown it, but come on. Those shows were a part of your DNA growing up. If anything, watching them now just means you know how to self-soothe like a pro.
2. Long showers with no agenda
Sometimes, showers are a silent sanctuary from everything. You’re not answering emails or hearing anyone call your name. It’s just hot water and the satisfying illusion that you’re still undefeated in every argument you’ve ever had.
Taking your sweet time in there might feel a bit self-indulgent, but who doesn’t need a 20-minute time-out from life once in a while?
3. Singing alone in the car
Maybe your voice is barely passable. Maybe it’s downright tragic. Doesn’t matter. When that one song hits at the red light, you will hit every note like you’re headlining a sold-out arena.
Windows up or down, it’s your moment. And if someone catches you mid-chorus, well, that’s their lucky day.
4. Eating cereal for dinner
Cooking after a long day can feel like a full-on betrayal of your own energy. So yeah, sometimes dinner looks a lot like breakfast. And that’s totally fine.
There’s zero shame in grabbing a bowl of cereal and calling it a night. It’s quick, it’s satisfying, and it requires no cleanup. What’s not to like?
5. Watching cheesy romantic comedies
Rom-coms catch a lot of flak, but if you’ve got a heart in your chest, they’re a welcome break from explosions and drama. There’s something soothing about predictable love stories and people making absolute fools of themselves in the name of romance.
You might joke about them out loud, but deep down, you already know how it ends, and you’re still watching with a sly grin on your face.
6. Taking afternoon naps
Naps are wildly underrated. They’re like hitting a soft reset button on your whole existence. And no, they aren’t just for toddlers and grandpas.
Catching a snooze on a Sunday afternoon doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It just means you know what your body needs. Also, waking up disoriented and wondering what year it is? Kinda fun.
7. Watching conspiracy theory videos
Do you believe them? Probably not. Are they entertaining as hell? Absolutely. There’s something charming about hearing a guy in his basement explain why pigeons are government spies.
It’s like brain candy. You don’t buy into it, but you can’t stop listening. You’re not prepping for doomsday, you’re just curious. That’s allowed.
8. Wearing the same comfy shirt way too often
There’s always that shirt. Soft, maybe slightly stretched out, possibly one wash away from becoming a dish rag, but you love it. It’s seen things. It knows you.
Other clothes might be newer or more stylish, but nothing beats that one trusty tee. It’s basically your fabric soulmate.
9. Staying up late doing absolutely nothing
Scrolling through your phone. Watching videos that go nowhere. Reading about random trivia at 1 a.m. It’s not productive, but it scratches an itch your brain didn’t even know it had.
You’re not wasting time, you’re reclaiming it. Night owls deserve a little chaos, too.
10. Ordering way too much takeout
Sure, you could cook. You probably have ingredients in the fridge that might still be good. But sometimes, convenience wins. And the taste? Worth it.
Ordering two entrees for one? That’s called planning ahead. Also, leftovers. No guilt. No regrets.
11. Talking to your dog like a human
Yes, the dog understands you. No, you’re not crazy. Talking to your pet isn’t just normal, it’s necessary. They’re excellent listeners, and they never interrupt.
Explaining your whole day to your dog might look weird from the outside, but inside your home, that’s just called therapy.
12. Lurking in the comments section
You never say a word. You don’t even “like” anything. But you’re there. Watching debates unfold, taking sides silently, and loving every second of it.
Comment sections are digital chaos, and you’re front row with popcorn. It’s fine. Lurking is a form of self-care.
13. Watching cooking shows you’ll never replicate
You’re not trying to recreate that 12-step beef Wellington. You just like watching someone else be really good at something. And let’s be honest, food montages are addictive.
You might pick up a few tricks along the way, but mostly, it’s just fun pretending you’re judging a baking competition from your couch.
14. Playing video games solo for hours
No team chat. No tournaments. Just you and a game you probably started for the third time. It’s not about winning. It’s about zoning out and escaping reality for a bit.
Gaming solo isn’t just for teenagers. It’s for grown men who know how to decompress in peace.
15. Taking mirror selfies you never post
You might never hit upload, but snapping that mirror pic just to check the vibes? Totally legit. Maybe the lighting was great. Maybe the fit was finally working.
It’s not vanity, it’s private validation, and sometimes, that’s all you need.
16. Watching oddly satisfying cleaning videos
You’re not planning to pressure-wash your driveway at 10 p.m. But watching someone else do it on a loop? That’s soothing.
From deep-cleaning rugs to organizing pantries, these videos scratch an itch somewhere deep in your brain. You might never do it yourself, but dang, it feels good to watch.
17. Dancing when nobody’s around
Kitchen. Bathroom. Hallway. Doesn’t matter. If the right beat hits, your feet move. You might be off-rhythm. You might be all shoulders. But who cares?
Dancing alone is one of life’s underrated joys. It’s pure freedom, and you don’t have to pay anything for it.
18. Enjoying reality TV with zero irony
You tell people you hate it, but you know all the contestants’ names. You’ve picked favorites. You care. Reality TV isn’t high art, but it knows exactly what it is.
Mock it all you want, you’re still watching. And deep down, you’re invested.
19. Doing voice impressions just because
Maybe you’re a master of accents. Maybe your impressions are hilariously bad. Doesn’t matter. If you like doing movie quotes in weird voices, that’s your personal brand of joy.
It doesn’t need an audience. It just needs a bored moment and a good line.
20. Reading feel-good stories online
Some dudes act like they’re too tough for that heartwarming story about the kid who started a lemonade stand for charity. But the truth is, those stories hit hard.
Reading them isn’t soft. It’s a reminder that good stuff still happens, and that’s worth holding onto.
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