Just love what you love
Do you watch a film or read a book only if it has good reviews?
If you do, then I guess you and I are in the same boat.
There is a part of me that feels like there's so much to read, listen and watch that it makes no sense to bother with the mediocre. Perhaps you have it too.
But valuing the tastes and opinions of others can only go so far. How many times have I watched a supposed masterpiece only to feel...meh? Many.
And how many times have I been pleasantly surprised by something I read on a whim? Also many.
I felt this especially after watching Superman (2025). I liked the theme song "Look Up", and wanted to find out what others thought about the soundtrack. When I landed on r/soundtracks, to my surprise it was full of comments criticising the lack of imagination of the music. Initially, it did dampen my enthusiasm from watching the movie.
Then it occurred to me that I don't need the permission of anyone to love what I love. I do not need to defer to the opinions of those who are "experts" in music, film theory or world literature.
All that matters is whether something resonates with me, or not.
In my case, I stopped reading those comments, and just listened to the Superman soundtrack on Spotify. And yes, I've added some to my "Liked Songs" playlist!
At the end of the day, as Mary Oliver writes in "Wild Geese",
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.