Choosing Whimsy

When I picked the term whimsy for my word of the year, I didn’t know it would be a trending word. I had no idea it would spark the mass creation of crafting kits and playlists, and other themed items. It’s fascinating being on-trend with something like a way of living your life, especially to see the consumerism that has fast accompanied the theme. It certainly is better than the year I chose “dauntless” as my way of being, no one except a Netflix cartoon was embracing that term, probably for good reason.

For the last few years, a close friend and I have done a guided planning/visioning program to answer the question: what you are craving as your ways of being, acting, and walking through life for the next year. A big part of this is picking your word of the year (or way of being) and finding practical ways to have this word be part of how you live your life.

After a several very challenging years, I wanted laughter, wonder and peace to be front and centre. I wanted to remember what fed my soul, rather than being bogged down by systems and structures that often did not prioritize the same ethical and moral standards I personally hold.

So here I am- five months into 2026 striving to be more whimsical in a deeply personal way.

I have always believed in art as activism and held that random acts of kindness are equally if not more important than grand gestures. However, kindness, art and play does not need to only exist only as something you do for others. In my experience, by being more grounded and centred within ourselves our very way of being will benefit others. And so, this year I am being purposefully whimsical and have five key ways of embracing this in my day-to-day life.

1.       I am taking time to be present

• I am taking the puppy for walks and leaving the headphones at home. I am being present with my breath and noticing the little things around me – and not just questioning what on earth did the puppy find to stick her nose into this time (typically it is better to not know the details of that).

• I am listening to my body. I am resting, stretching, and doing what I need to in order to remain rounded.

2.       I am setting boundaries

• Boundaries sounds very “un-whimsical”, but figuring out what drains your energy vs what energizes you allows for whimsy, and so this is an absolute priority for me. Creating purposeful spaces for whimsy instead of just rest and recovery is essential for self-care and to discover what truly matters to me in a purposeful way.

  
  

3.       I am being purposefully reflective

• I am looking for the glimmers around me- kids drawings on the sidewalks, flowers pushing up in the most unlikely spaces, birds hopping around being joyful. And then taking the time for the moment of joy.

  
  

• Another thing I do each day is put a sticker on a calendar in my home office. I bought a package of 2,700 stickers (and then another package by the same company with pictures of everything from cute little sayings through avocados doing yoga and so now I have over 5,000 stickers).

  
  

  At the end of the day, I flip through the book and pick the first picture that resonates. I don’t worry too much about “getting it right”, after all, it’s just a sticker. I then put it on a calendar and jot down a few notes in my day planner about how my day went and the sticker choice. Realistically, I really won’t remember why I thought the day felt like a carrot or a lama in pajamas. It is a fun whimsical way to end the day.

4.       I am finding time to be playful

• I am listening to music that makes me laugh.

•  I have started watercolour painting and have no problem painting a picture and including a very bad pun with it.

•  I am making strawberry tea and drinking it from a glass with ladybugs on it.

• I'm blowing bubbles at the 10 month old puppy and 4 year old cat when taking a micro-screen break from the computer.

•  I am reading beach-read books just for fun and giving myself guilt-free scrolling time to look through whimsical things online- who knew you could buy a sleeping bag that looks like a slice of pizza anyway?!

5.       I am slowing down

• For me, this year is about slowing down and listening to my body and trying to improve pacing for long-term wellness.

• I’m smelling the roses, enjoying the book or tv show in front of me, be mindful in the moment and sharing small moments with friends and loved ones.

• When I think about my favourite moments traveling, it isn’t the big things, it is the little things like the coffee at a little out-of-the way bookshop in a coastal town or watching the butterflies over the mountains.

• The little moments of peace and whimsy that are all around us. And this year, I am purposefully noticing and creating those moments.

My wish for you is that you are able to find your own moments and sources of whimsy- especially during busy, unpredictable, and chaotic times. After all, hope and wonder is what will keep us all going.