Where’s Your Whimsy?

It’s summer! Time to play and have fun! Don’t we all love to hear those words? Most of us know how to have fun in big ways, like vacations and big parties. However, sometimes I wonder if we remember how to have fun in small ways. Is there more fun out there in tiny morsels if we were willing to savor them?

What do I mean by that? I mean finding whimsy. These are small, playful things in our lives that bring us joy. They are different for everyone. Most of the time, whimsy is temporary; something done “on a whim”. If you can’t think of an example, how about fairy hair and flash tattoos? Or dressing up in fun costumes at Halloween? Some people find whimsy by adding a drink umbrella to their cocktail while others paint their bodies to support their team before a big game.

When we mature, we think we need to pack away all these things. We psychologically cross our arms and frown when we see them. “That’s not very sophisticated” or “that’s for kids” we say to ourselves. So much of whimsy is relegated into the category of tacky. But I wonder if we’ve abdicated whimsy too freely? Perhaps those of us who are willing to be tacky are experiencing more moments of joy.

With that thought in mind, I wonder if you can find one small source of whimsy to “lean in”. Perhaps you’ll put a few gel clings up on your window or a temporary nose ring in your nose. You could create art out of the food on your plate before you eat it. This weekend might be a good time for you to capture some fireflies. Open your eyes to where whimsy might fit into your life. Whimsy is out there for you. You just need the right weird glasses to see it.