When I hear the phrase cringe things, the first word that hits me is embarrassment. Not because these things are actually shameful, but because we’ve been trained to think they are.
Like, if someone’s into Asian dramas or listens to Taylor Swift on loop, there’s always that one person rolling their eyes like they’re too cool for joy. But here’s what I don’t get, if someone likes something, and it’s not hurting anyone, why does it bother people so much?
Everyone’s entitled to their opinions. You don’t have to like what I like. But that judgmental look, that smug oh-you-like-that attitude? That’s not a flex. That’s just insecurity dressed up as sarcasm.
Why Cringe Things Matter
I honestly think it’s a good thing when people have something they enjoy, especially outside of their usual 9 to 5, studies, or whatever stress they’re dealing with.
If collecting plushies or watching K-Dramas gives someone peace after a long day, let them have it. Life’s already hard enough. If something makes you laugh, feel seen, or just feel anything, even if the internet labels it “cringe”, hold on to it like gold.
Why People Hate On Cringe Things (And Why I Don’t Care Anymore)
Let’s be real, half the people hating on cringe things don’t even know what they’re talking about. They’ve never listened to the lyrics they’re mocking, never tried the thing they’re dragging, and sometimes I feel like they’re just mad they can’t be themselves.
Like… did you really hate that viral Stanley tumbler haul? Or were you just annoyed someone else could drop 3k on a water bottle and smile about it?
I used to feel embarrassed when someone judged my taste. You know that smug little “you like that?” comment? It used to bother me. Now I’m like, get a life. I’ve got better things to do than shrink myself for your basic opinions.
At the end of the day, if something’s harmless and makes you happy, why not? That’s my rule. Sure, I might tease my bestie about her obsession with Turkish drama edits, but I’ll defend her right to binge them till 2 AM if it brings her joy.
For me, doing something “cringe” at the end of a long day is actual peace. Whether it’s sipping matcha or sobbing over a fictional character, is a ritual. I look forward to it.
And honestly? I love how Gen Z’s just owning it. That “I do what I want” energy? Iconic. They don’t care if it looks silly, they care if it feels real.
5 Popular Cringe Things People Love (And Should Keep Loving)
1. Labubu Plushies
Okay, they’re not my thing, and yeah, they’re kinda overpriced for doll with a cult following. But what I don’t get is why people waste so much energy being mad about them. If someone wants to drop cash on a plushie that makes them smile, that’s their call. You don’t have to understand it. Just let people spend their money and move on. Opinions are fine. Forcing them on others? Not cute.
2. Cutesy Stationery Hauls
I hoard stationery like it’s a personality trait. Do I use it all? Nope. But do I need it? Also no. Do I want it anyway because it’s cute and makes me feel like I almost have my life together? Absolutely. There’s just something satisfying about having pastel pens, weird sticky notes, and a drawer full of things I’ll probably forget I own. It’s a vibe. Let me live.
3. Pinterest-Core Setups
Fairy lights. Cloud mirrors. The pink Stanley. Long nails. Skincare arranged in a perfect shelfie. ASMR clips of people brushing their hair with sparkly brushes. I love all of it. Call it extra, call it cringe, I call it serotonin. There’s something deeply healing about creating a cozy little visual dreamscape, even if it’s just for your 3 AM scroll.
4. Crying Over Anime or K-Dramas
I still remember crying over Your Name like my life depended on it. These shows don’t play. They build you up with cute moments and then emotionally body-slam you out of nowhere. And yes, I’ve laughed at myself mid-sob, like wow, am I seriously crying over two animated teenagers in different timelines? Yes. Yes I am. Let me be dramatic in peace.
5. Matcha Obsession
Is it the taste? Maybe. Is it the aesthetic? Definitely. Is it just an excuse to romanticize my life and pretend I’m in a Studio Ghibli movie while sipping something green? 100%. Matcha isn’t just a drink, it’s a vibe, a lifestyle, a mood board. Call it cringe if you want. I’ll be here with my mason jar and metal straw feeling at peace.
The Taylor Swift Rule of Joy
Taylor Swift once said, “Just because something is cliché, doesn’t mean that it’s not something that’s awesome. The worst kind of person is someone who makes someone feel bad, dumb, or stupid for being excited about something.”
Mic. Dropped.
Seriously, what kind of person sees someone light up over something and decides “let me kill that joy real quick”? Like… how miserable do you have to be?
Whether it’s a plushie, a playlist, or a Pinterest-perfect room, if it brings someone joy, that should be celebrated, not side-eyed. Not everything has to be original or ironic. Sometimes it’s just comfort. Sometimes it’s just fun. And that should be enough.
I love that Gen Z is out here reclaiming all things cringe. They’re unbothered. Loud about what they love. Turning silly obsessions into full-blown aesthetics. They’re not trying to be cool, they’re just being real. And honestly, that’s way more powerful.
Final Thoughts: If It Sparks Joy, It’s Sacred
Here’s what it really comes down to, cringe isn’t the problem. Shaming is.
People are out here surviving jobs they hate, school that drains them, mental spirals that keep coming back. And if they find even a little joy in things like anime love confessions or a cloud mirror setup? Let them. That joy is sacred. That joy is survival.
You don’t have to get it. You just have to get out of the way.
And if you do relate? Good. That means you still care about your own happiness, even in the small ways. Hold on to that.
We’re already pressured to do more, be more, and “hustle harder.”
(And hey, if that sounds familiar, you’ll probably like this blog I wrote on romanticizing hustle culture too.)
Let’s stop trying to be too cool for joy. Be cringe. Be obsessed. Be free.
Your Turn: What’s your version of “cringe”? The thing you love even when people judge it. Drop it in the comments. Tag your unapologetically cringe bestie. Or share this with someone who needs validation to be unbothered.