It’s no secret that “whimsy” (AKA “whimsical”) has been the internet’s favorite trend for some time now. And as it so often happens with trends, gatekeeping and commercialization are currently on the rise, leaving many to debate what whimsical really looks like. I think when it reaches the point where people are going on performative “whimsy” witch hunts and big companies are slapping gems on their products and calling it “whimsy”, we need to take a step back and think about what the term really means.
To start, I don’t want to define what “whimsical” is by searching it up in The Webster Dictionary or by breaking down how the internet used the term long before it blew up. There’s hundreds of good videos on that topic on sites like YouTube and Instagram which I highly recommend watching if you’re interested. Instead, I would like to use my own experiences to explain what whimsy means to me and how I can help you achieve it.
DISCLAIMER: Although I don’t personally call myself whimsical (mainly because it became saturated on the internet), I will say that many people have stated that I am a very whimsical person. I mean, I do fit the brand. I dress in bright colors, I love Hello Kitty and Strawberry Shortcake, my laptop is decorated with fairy stickers, I can’t go a day without my swirly eyeliner, and I love reading and watching children’s media.
So, I guess I’m an honorary mayor of whimsy town, but here’s the thing: I don’t do all these “whimsical” things with the active notion to improve my life. It’s very passive actually, as they are just a part of who I am. Which goes into my first point:
It’s not a look, it’s a mindset
“Whimsy” is not a matter of who has the gem stickers, polka dot tops, or swirly Canva fonts; it’s 100% a mindset. To be whimsical is to listen to one’s inner child and to satisfy their needs and desires, despite living in a society that tries to keep us in a cramped box in order to “mature”. It’s doing what you love and not being ashamed to geek out about it.
Take me for example. I watch kids shows 24/7, and that’s all that’s on my watchlist (and I’ve been doing it long before it was cool.) I used to be embarrassed to be seen still watching Disney Channel in middle school, and yes, I get made fun of for it, but I like it, and that’s what’s so whimsical about it. I’m listening to my inner-child instead of paying attention to what the rest of the world says I should do in order to be taken seriously as a 20-year-old woman.
Kindness is Key
I believe another factor of truly being whimsical is being kind for the sake of kindness. Not only to others, but to ourselves as well. In order to tap into one’s inner child, not only do we have to abandon the rigid maturity rules of society, but we must also learn to forgive our awkward teenage years, our cringy middle school phases, our bratty toddler days, and all the mistakes we’ve made in between, knowing that we can’t go back, but instead must move forward with that knowledge in order for us to get better. “Whimsy”, I’d argue, is therapeutic. It demands you to recall the person you left behind for adulthood and bring them along for the journey ahead.
I’ve noticed a lot of the things I liked as a kid were because they filled a void in my life. For example, I loved Hello Kitty mainly because she was a social butterfly, and as someone who was (and still is) a very shy person, she was my idol and reminded me that I too could have friends like her if I was kind. Thank goodness I looked up to her (and still do). I don’t know what I’d do without the amazing friends I have now, thanks to her.
It’s personal
In my eyes, “whimsy” takes on many different looks. As stated before, it’s not about the aesthetic, it’s a mindset. And I believe that part of the conversation around what is whimsical should be about how narrowminded our view of “whimsy” is.
Sometimes “whimsy” is gemstones and polka dots. Sometimes it’s dark shades of grey and stars. Sometimes it’s untouched nature. Sometimes it’s unicorns, sprinkles and glitter. Sometimes it is beige sweaters and abstract art.
For me, whimsy means everything Hello Kitty and Strawberry Shortcake, saying “good morning!” to the flowers on campus, and being kind to the bugs I find in my apartment. For you, it could mean silent nights, the sound of owls, and a Tim Burton movie. Whimsy looks different for everyone.
It’s political
Despite all the discourse surrounding the trend right now, I believe that the reason why so many people are clinging to it (and have been for a while; remember 2020 kidcore?) has to do with our current political and social climate. There are wars, inflation, people are struggling to find and keep jobs (I literally just found out my 17-year-old brother just got laid off a few months ago), and a lot of people are glued to their phones, taking it all in. We want to retreat to a time when these weren’t our daily worries.
This is valid, but it’s getting to a point where we need to ask ourselves: is it really “whimsy” if a giant company is just hopping on a nostalgic trend they barely care to know the meaning of? Or when Hollywood wants to reboot my childhood shows and movies over and over again, but never focus on something new?
To be whimsical isn’t to be stuck in a realm of escapism; it’s to honor who you are and fight for a better tomorrow. As much as I love my childhood media, I want to see something new being made with just as much care, so that the next generation can have something special that speaks to them. Many people don’t want to constantly be stuck in a world where they feel like every day is an uphill battle; they want to do something about it. And that starts by listening to your inner child. Destroy the box of “maturity” society has built for us, so that the next generation doesn’t have to hide themselves in order to fit in and be normal. That’s one thing we can do, and there is so much more…
so, who does “whimsy” belong to?
To conclude, I believe that the notorious “w” word (whimsy) belongs to each and every one of us. It’s not a matter of how much color we wear, or if we put sprinkles in our matcha lattes (which I will be trying), but if we are daring to reconnect with a part of ourselves that we are told to hold in disdain: our child self.
“Whimsy” is done for the love of the soul, not for the love of the product. Everything I do that people consider whimsical is an extension of my love for myself and the world I inhabit. When “whimsy” or “whimsical” becomes nothing more than the cool girl label for anything with color or shiny gem stickers, it loses its meaning. I don’t believe this trend is as evil as some may view it is. I do believe that it can do the world some good by allowing people to do the childish things they love without being made fun of by the masses.
But if we want a positive shift, we need a shift in mindset, and that shift can start with you. Go dig up that old photo album or go flip through your middle school sketchbook. Rediscover your inner child and become the whimsical person you were meant to be!