Not to brag, but I like to think I’m pretty whimsical. I give my cats elaborate nicknames, I have ongoing inside jokes with myself, and I love embracing a main character moment. But even as someone who naturally leans whimsical, I’ll admit it’s gotten harder to hold onto that sense of playfulness. Between a never-ending to-do list and the general heaviness of the world, adulthood can be a real drag sometimes. It’s like we’ve all been so focused on being productive, efficient, and “on top of things” that we forget life is also supposed to be fun.
Maybe that’s why “whimsy” has become such a buzzword online lately. People are craving small ways to romanticize their routines, reconnect with their creativity, and inject more joy into their everyday lives. Luckily, whimsy doesn’t require completely reinventing your life. Sometimes, it’s as simple as stopping to smell the roses (no, literally) or opening that bottle of wine you’ve been saving for a “special occasion.”
Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about the whimsy trend and simple ways to bring more of it into your own life.
What does “whimsy” mean?
“Whimsy” is one of the biggest buzzwords on TikTok right now, with the #whimsy tag used on nearly 400,000 posts and creators like @notbriannaly declaring 2026 as the year of whimsy-maxxing. And according to Google, searches for “whimsy” have nearly doubled over the last year.
So, what does the “whimsy” trend look like IRL? It focuses on embracing curiosity, creativity, spontaneity, and joy for no reason other than the fact that it feels good. Being whimsical is all about taking a playful, lighthearted approach to everyday life, injecting a little surprise and silliness into the ordinary. In many ways, this trend feels like a response to burnout culture, which I’m personally thrilled to kiss goodbye. After years of the hustle mentality telling us to monetize and optimize every aspect of our lives, the whimsy trend encourages us to slow down and delight in small, ordinary moments again.
Ways to incorporate more whimsy into your daily life
If you’re looking to add some whimsy to your everyday life but aren’t sure where to start, here are some easy ways to make the mundane feel a little more fun.
In your home:
- Use your nice dishes and glassware just because—don’t wait for a special occasion to break them out.
- Display fresh flowers in unexpected places throughout your home, like your bathroom, the fridge, your laundry room, etc.
- Light a candle to enjoy while doing everyday tasks like unloading the dishwasher or folding laundry.
- Hide little notes to yourself throughout your home.
- Create a cooking playlist to listen to while making dinner.
- Hang tiny framed artwork in unusual spots, like inside cabinets or on your fridge.
- Say “goodnight” to your home before going to bed.
In your personal style:
- Romanticize getting ready every day, whether you have plans or not.
- Try dopamine dressing and wear pieces you love just for fun.
- Use your expensive lipsticks or perfumes even if you’re just running errands.
- Try out a new makeup routine using colorful products or fun new techniques.
- Build an outfit around a specific aesthetic, color, or fictional character you love.
- Accessorize with statement jewelry, fun socks, silk scarves, and big sunglasses to make your outfits more interesting.
In your hobbies and free time:
- Keep a whimsy journal or list on your phone of fun memories or conversations you want to remember.
- Start a collection of trinkets, such as matchbooks, seashells, postcards, etc.
- Host a dinner party with an elaborate theme.
- Make time to embark on a side quest.
- Talk to your houseplants when you water them (pro tip: it also helps them grow).
- Watch a movie or show with themed snacks (think pizza and M&Ms for The Princess Diaries or croissants and macarons for Emily in Paris).
- Pick up a hobby you loved as a kid.
In your relationships:
- Spontaneously ask a friend to grab coffee or ice cream on a whim.
- Dress up for date night, even if it’s just dinner and a movie at home.
- Schedule monthly dinners or craft nights for your friends with a different theme each time.
- Write handwritten love notes to your significant other.
- Create a list of your favorite memories or inside jokes with your friends or partner.
Christine Winder, Contributing Wellness Writer
Christine is a long-time reader turned contributing writer for the Everygirl. She has a BA in Communications from Roanoke College and lives with her two cats in Richmond, VA where she writes for several local publications.
