Everyone has their “thing.”

That one special thing that makes them so unbelievably happy that no one really, truly understands it. To someone on the outside, it might seem like a waste of time, kind of stupid, weird and maybe even childish.

Some people have more than one, like me. I absolutely love makeup and Disney. Now obviously, these two things aren’t completely out of the ordinary, but when I mention my love for these I’m faced with question after question about them.

With makeup, it’s always, “Why are you wasting your money on it? It doesn’t make any sense.” And with Disney, it’s always, “Aren’t you a little old for that?”

It used to really bother me: To the point where I felt like I had to justify why I spent my money on eyeshadow palettes and why my preferred vacation spot is Disney World. I always replied with something along the lines of, “Oh, well, it’s really not that bad or expensive. I just ask for that stuff for Christmas” and “Well, it’s just a nostalgic thing.”

But then I started thinking about it. Why does it matter to them? It’s not like I’m spending their money or hurting anyone. Why do I spend my money on makeup? Because I want to and I like it. Why do I still love Disney? Because I do. These things make me happy.

Today, I feel like there’s this constant need to justify the activities or hobbies you enjoy doing.

You don’t have to come up with these complicated reasons for doing so. If someone asks, tell them. But don’t feel like just because it’s briefly brought up in conversation that you have to follow it up with “well I like it because …”

If you like something that’s pretty popular, you have to have a unique or heartfelt reason to like it, or you’re just partaking in it because it’s popular. If it’s something that’s a little different, you have to explain to people why it’s really not that weird and that you have a completely valid reason for being into this one very specific thing.

You just liking it is enough.

Adriona Murphy is a columnist. Contact her at [email protected].