I had a moment in elementary school I'm still working through. I was in 5th grade and reading a book I thought was really fun and exciting and I was enjoying it. My teacher pulled me aside one day to inform me I was underperforming my reading level because the book was written for a 3rd grade reading level and I was capable of reading at a 9th grade reading level. But here's the thing: what 10-year-old wants to read a 9th grade set of books? What 10-year-old wants to read To Kill a Mockingbird?

I honestly haven't had the enthusiasm or fervor for reading ever since. I've had bouts of being able to focus on reading for a few months at a time, but the energy always burns out after a while. It's something I have to focus on when I'm in a book store or library that most of the printed word is, at the end of the day, schlock, and that's a GOOD THING. We all like schlock-y things. Whatever schlock that it is that you're into, you're into it. Maybe you like three camera sitcoms even though the laugh track is cheesy. It could be you like superhero movies, even though Marvel puts out 3 a year, and it's hard to keep up with them and everyone you know has been less enthusiastic about them ever since Endgame. Perhaps you love video games, but you spend some time every day investing time into a completely non-challenging game on your phone. I'd even include foodies who go to Taco Bell every so often. We all have non-challenging schlock that we enjoy and consume, and that's OKAY. It's what makes the non-schlock elevate itself to a higher level when you experience it.

So bottom line.

Don't let anyone detract your schlock. They have their schlock, you don't judge them for it. Love your schlock unironically. You're beautiful and perfect, and so is your schlock.