TikTok's Little Treat Culture Is A Big Deal. Here's Why.
We’re all about a little treat. Who doesn't want to reward themselves after a job well done (even if it’s not-so-well done)? Coffee if we’re running errands, an açaí bowl if we did our morning walk, a four-hour binge watching sesh of Love Island UK after a day of work...you get the gist. TikTok users call it “little treat culture” — and it’s a lifestyle many folks happily follow.
What Is Little Treat Culture?
Let us break it down for you. Little treat culture is essentially the act of indulging in small, inexpensive pleasures for an instant boost of serotonin. For instance, TikTok creator @thebookshelfbitch (who coined the phrase) treated herself to a $8.40 latte, just because she wanted it. Why? because you’re worth the $8.40.
One LTC loyalist is @jordxnlewis, and the comments under her TikTok are full of other little treat practitioners explaining their own habits. One person wrote, “I have this thing called drink tax. Anytime I go somewhere I have to get something to drink.” Another added, “Especially if it’s under $10, for some reason it doesn’t count.” Another wrote, “If I’m leavin the house I’m getting a treat and not a damn thing anyone can do to stop me.” TBH, same here.
@faerest.ofthemall considers LTC a part of women's evolution. “Do not feel bad about your little treats. Women are FORAGERS. Evolution REQUIRES we bring a lil something back to our shelter. It’s SCIENCE.” We’re with her on this one. “A little treat could mean anything, maybe I wanna buy a box of girl scout cookies. sometimes it's a $10 smoothie. I might drive 12 miles just to get my favorite slice of tiramisu. the triple creamy trader joe's brie cheese is a treat. an ice cream cone from mcdonald's. a pack of gummy worms. the possibilities are endless,” wrote @batteryacidenthusiast.Little Treat Culture Is A Good Thing — Here's Why
Images via @jordxnlewis, @thebookshelfbitch, @faerest.ofthemall, @batteryacidenthusiast
Sure, this may be consumerism at its finest, but it's also scientifically-backed. “When we treat ourselves, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure,” says Dr. Elizabeth Campbell, licensed psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and career counselor.
As you place that super cute purple blush that you definitely-don’t-need-but-also-definitely-do in your cart, a mini rush of dopamine floods your body, quite literally improving your mood.
Imagine you’re out and about and buy yourself a cinnamon roll. No, not because you’re hungry now, but because you know you’ll be craving a little treat later. After a long day of meetings you return to a cinnamon roll waiting for you. Boom! Instant mood boost! Now your long, tiring day of meetings ends with a delicious treat, and you can happily leave work behind and transition into your evening.
As long as you’ve got the budget to support the occasional little treat — we say go for it. We certainly are.
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TikTok image via @nataliebondehagen, donut image via Anastasiia Rozumna / Unsplash, smoothie image via Douglas Bagg / Unsplash, and chocolate bar image viaTetiana Bykovets / Unsplash.
Header image courtesy of Michael Dagonakis/Unsplash.
