‘Tis Season of Whimsy: But What Does This Really Mean to be Whimsical?

It seems that my social media feed is full of the word ‘whimsy’ at the moment. Move over nonchalance, welcome whimsy. It’s being covered on Instagram and Tiktok. It’s being picked up by podcasters. But what is it really?

According to the Cambridge English dictionary, the word whimsy refers to ‘unusual, funny, and pleasant ideas or qualities.’ It ties in well with imaginative, playful ideas that aren’t particularly serious or profound.

Content creators, influencers, and digital blogs on social media are sharing tips on how to be more whimsical this season, and explain how it has made them happier. While slightly off topic from being whimsy per se, I have also been inspired by this piece I read in Science magazine in November last year. I loved that the author spoke about how embracing her silly side made her a better scientist, especially as scientists have the stereotype of being very serious and demure, with no capacity for laughter. While being silly and being whimsical are not exactly the same, the key message I’d like to share is that it’s okay to not always be so serious and to take things slow.

Image by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Amid harmful and detrimental social media trends like ‘looksmaxxing’ , I like this little corner of the internet  that is all about positivity.  I’m so pleased that we’re now shifting our focus onto happiness.

Since this discussion has been trending on social media, I’ve found myself reflecting on the fact that whimsy has always been around me. To paraphrase the iconic quote from the film Love Actually,

"If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that WHIMSY is actually all around."

I find inspiration in my father’s wardrobe. At the workplace, he wears his whites, his blues, his beiges. But, in his personal life, he’s known by all his friends and family for rocking up to social events in brightly coloured shirts. And he’s not ashamed of it in the slightest bit. It’s what makes him whimsical, it’s what makes him, him.

I find inspiration in my childhood best friend’s events.  She once planned our Christmas party around the theme of a woodland backdrop. She personalised the decoration to each of us, which was so whimsical, yet so personal.

Image by Zyanya Citlalli on Unsplash+

I find inspiration in skipping with my niece in the parking lot of Costco. Under the concrete slabs and cars all around, we make it a game to skip to and from the entrance, not bothering about who’s watching us.

Focusing on being whimsical helps my wellbeing, because it allows me to switch off from a constant state of activity. Whether in my career as a Trial Manager, doing my PhD, or during my fitness journey, being whimsical allows me to embrace my inner child when everyday life may feel super serious. I have since come across research that indeed found that adult playfulness can help cope with stress. It doesn't make me immature, it doesn't make me unprofessional, it simply means I'm human.

Now that I’ve spoken about the trend, what it means, and why it inspires me, I’ll share some of the ways I’ve integrated it into my life, and how you can do the same.

Dopamine Décor:

The dopamine décor trend has become increasingly popular, and I’ve designed my little rental flat in Central London this way. According to Elle Décor, this style encourages designing spaces with a focus on personal pleasure rather than specific aesthetics.

Think vibrant colours, vivid patterns, things that are personal to you, but wouldn’t necessarily be picked up by someone else. For me, this means hanging up artwork that makes me happy, and that has a personal meaning for me. Colour coding my bookshelf, having colourful plant pots, even something as simple as having a teacup or mug collection that isn’t coordinated but collecting them over the years because they make me smile. For me, this means having my morning cup of coffee from my Disney Cinderella mug, or having my Jellycat collection of fun foods.

Image by Elena Helade on Unsplash+

Whimsical Hobbies:

I’ve been a big hobby person of late. I wrote this piece for Inspire the Mind, about new hobbies and their impact on my wellbeing. Recently, a whimsical hobby I’ve picked up is bedazzling my books. It’s a new DIY craft where you stick on your book cover flat backed rhinestones.

I personally do this to my fantasy fiction books, making it an all-immersive experience. When I’m reading said books, I put on my TV or galaxy projector to the setting of my book (If you, like me are currently reading the ACOTAR series, you’ll understand), making reading a fully visual, relaxing experience. Whimsical, but still so relaxing.

(Re) watching Children’s Movies:

I’ve been a big advocate for watching children’s movies because of the comfort they bring. So much so, I wrote about it last year. When I’m particularly stressed, I’ll rewatch my favourite Disney classic, The Little Mermaid II.

It reminds me that I do not need to take everything so seriously all the time. This allows me to switch off, unwind from a busy day, and show up to do my best the following day, having truly enjoyed my evening off.

Photo by Jacqueline Brandwayn on Unsplash

Bringing Whimsy into Food and Drink:

I was never allowed to eat candy as a child because it would give me a terrible sore throat. So, as an adult, I treat myself to colourful candy (I love a pick n' mix), fun ice cream flavours, those that an adult wouldn’t typically consume. Being whimsical in this sense, is a way of treating your inner child.

Sometimes, I add some edible flowers to my salads and fresh fruit. Just to make it more fun. At one point, I even had a stint of adding edible glitter to my beverages. Not quite sure why I stopped, but I used to add fruits and glitter to my ice cubes, even if I was having sparkling water, just to make it a bit more fun.

So, whether it’s my colourful basil pot, or my colour coded bookshelf, or bedazzling my books, it reminds me that it’s okay not to be serious all the time. If you look for it, dear reader, I have a (not so) sneaky feeling that whimsy is all around you. So, I urge you to explore it, embrace it, and make it a part of your life.