You know that expression, “Money can’t buy you happiness”? It might not buy it directly, but it sure can buy you tickets to meet people who make you happy. Some people’s hobbies may include singing, or playing an instrument, or reading, or writing, or doing something involving art.

My hobbies include writing, reading, binge-watching, and going to comic conventions. The first two are considered actual hobbies, whereas the other two, a lot of people don’t understand. I’ve had a Netflix account since 2016 and a Hulu account since 2017. Since then, I’ve kept a long and ever-expanding list of shows and movies to watch on the two streaming platforms.

The first comic convention I ever went to was Wizard World Madison in 2015. I only went that Friday because my mom had gotten the ticket off Groupon. It was the inaugural show aka the first time Wizard World came to Madison. It was only 20 minutes from my house. I went with my dad after school, and I met up with a friend there. The main reason why I wanted to go was because the OG Green Power Ranger, Jason David Frank, was there. I got into the show a year beforehand so I was ecstatic to meet one of the OG Rangers. He was nice, interactive with fans.

It was so great being surrounded by people who have the same interests as you. You don’t have to be embarrased about liking something, you can tell people how dedicated you are and they praise you or are jealous of you. I volunteered at the next year’s con with the same friend I had met up with the first year. We volunteered on Saturday and Sunday morning, then we were able to go to the convention for free afterwards.

While volunteering, we helped control the lines when the doors opened then moved to the autographs area. It wasn’t doing much, just standing in front of a booth, manning lines, making sure people keep walking and not take any pictures. I got to see Alex Kingston and David Tennant from Doctor Who, walk past Michael Rooker, see WWE Diva Paige, and meet Elizabeth Henstridge and Brett Dalton from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., a show I had not yet watched but would soon binge-watch because of them.

Since then, I have gone to a few other Wizard World conventions in Madison, a few anime conventions, a convention for the show Supernatural and a convention for the show Riverdale. Yes, I have spent money and gas on something that only lasts a few days when I could be spending it on food and books. But during those times, I was able to meet the people who have impacted my life in one way or another, I have met and made friends with people who I actually have in common with.

I am more social at comic cons than I am at school. I can make three, four friends within minutes standing in line for a photo op whereas I can barely make one friend in class the first few weeks of the semester. I can be more like myself at a convention. I’m not afraid about what I like, who I like, what I like to do. At school, I feel like I have to hide a part of me because I’m afraid of what people will think.

What I’ve learned over the past few years I’ve been going to comic conventions is that you don’t have to be afraid. Who knows, maybe someone will see you binge-watching the lastest season of Stranger Things and they’ll tell you they’ve already rewatched the show three times. You shouldn’t have to keep what you love a secret. If it makes you happy, that’s what matters. Do what you love. Watch what you love. Make some friends. Meet the people who make you happy.