The Whimsy Movement: Being Intentional About Small Joys

TikTok trends come and go, but they always teach us something sociologically. They give us insight into the vibes of everything from small communities to entire countries. We can tell where the world is moving politically and see revolutions occurring in real time. We can see connections building and have global discussions on the issues that matter most to us, from Love Island to Gaza. I say all this to say—social media aesthetics and "eras" can give us so much information about what we as a society are desiring.

What is Whimsy?

The recent whimsy movement has caught my eye. If your "For You" page is a bit different from mine, the whimsy movement encompasses everything from buying yourself flowers to changing your bed sheets to a new color. It's about obtaining a small joyous moment from a small change or an intentional recognition of the tiny beauties in the world. I think in essence it's about gratitude. It's taking a moment to do something kind for yourself and see the best in the world.

The reason I am not letting this latest TikTok movement pass me by is because, frankly, I think we could all use more whimsy during a time of such unrest. And with an economy like the one we have now, whimsy really doesn't have to cost anything. It's less about materialism or capitalism and more about a shift in mindset. And sometimes your mindset is all you can afford to change.

Recently, I've struggled a lot with finding joy in my life. Sometimes, it feels like the darkest parts of life can be all-consuming. I find myself spiraling about everything that can go wrong, and it can feel like a black hole if you spiral for too long. So, naturally, the whimsy movement appeals to me. There is something light about making it a goal to experience some whimsy every day in some way.

How can I achieve it?

You may be thinking, okay, but what does that actually look like? Like I mentioned before, it really is a choose-your-own-adventure concept, but let me tell you about some of the ways I've made life more whimsical.

1. Baking Sweet Treats Weekly

   So, I have always been a baker, but due to the busyness of life, I hadn't touched my mixer in over a year. I recently decided to be more intentional about baking weekly. I've made it a fun exercise where I scroll through Pinterest and find something that interests me flavor-wise but pushes my baking skills to a new level. It's actually brought so much fun to my week and, dare I say, whimsy.

   
   

2. Wearing That Special Outfit

   So many of our cutest clothes go unworn because we save them for an imaginary special occasion that may or may not happen. I have found it whimsical to wear that cutesy outfit for no reason at all. You would be surprised how much light I've added to my life by treating a "normal" day like a special day. It's also sparked my joy with fashion again.

   
   

3. Gardening

   Another hobby of mine has always been gardening, but again I put it by the wayside because I moved to a new apartment. Recently, I finally took the plunge and set up a garden at home, and there is a childlike joy that comes from eating vegetables that you grew. And you can really plant anything your heart desires for really cheap!

   
   

4. Coloring and Journaling

   Yes, I've pulled out my adult coloring books, stickers, and markers. I think a critical aspect of whimsy is catering to your inner child. Sometimes adults can lose their creative side because society deems it childish, but I think there is something actually very productive and healing about giving yourself a medium to express yourself. Whatever that is for you, try to give yourself some creative time.

   
   

5. Going to the Movies

   Ok, you may think this one isn't very whimsical, but pre-Covid I was a huge fan of going to the movies. During the pandemic, I got accustomed to watching movies at home. Lately, my girlfriend and I have been more intentional about going to the movies and making it a really fun experience. We wear cozy clothes, see any movie that seems interesting from the trailer, and go to a dinner theatre where we can eat all the junk food we want. It's a small activity that I so look forward to. And I think that sums up whimsy--doing something small that has a big effect on your happiness.

Still Don't Get It?

Here are a few of my favorite whimsy creators right now. They have cracked the code to incorporating whimsy in their day-to-day. They're definitely worth following.

Final Thoughts

You may be tired of entering new eras or trying new ways to upgrade your life, but I guess what I want to be the greatest takeaway of whimsy is that it really isn't more than a mindset shift. It's a fancy name for gratitude and creating joy for yourself. Whatever you call it, I am petitioning you to be more intentional about seeing the magical parts of life. You deserve to have sweet moments. Life cannot just be about surviving. Find small ways to thrive in this limited life we have.

As always, thank you for reading this post. Your support means everything (: