Add Whimsy Back Into Your Life! By Kayla Doria Ward

By Kayla Doria Ward 

In early 2026, the internet shifted away from the clean, minimal girl aesthetic and embraced colors again! Being whimsical or adding whimsy to your life became the new trend. Except it seems like it’s still around. So why hasn’t this “trend” quietly disappeared like the others? 

From using colorful party streamers as home decor to adding colorful cold foam to your coffee, whimsy isn’t just a lifestyle trend. It targeted fashion, decor, habits, and relationships. Let's break down exactly what whimsy has introduced to these categories and why it is so effective! 

The Fashion 

Like any other trend, Whimsy also draws in doomscrolling consumers with new fashion trends. Whether it be polka dots, accessories, or bright colors. Usually, this formula would lead to overconsumption and fast fashion companies capitalizing on consumer needs. And I can acknowledge that many surface-level consumers probably fell for ads and TikTok Shop slop. But the real beauty of whimsical fashion lies in its creativity.

The whimsical outfit formula relies heavily on individuality. Fictional characters such as Strawberry Shortcake, Tinkerbell, and Fancy Nancy are popular examples. Many patterns from the 2000s are hard to find in malls or department stores today. So many turn to thrifting or DIY to make the outfit or accessories of their whimsical dreams. 

Some of my favorite “whimsical” creators include shrubjuniper, lollfashiondump, and toowoomba_. While they have colorful, exciting, and impressive clothing and accessories, their authentic creativity really shines through in their videos. 

Dressing up and getting to “customize your character” shouldn’t be reserved for youth. Entering adulthood and beyond shouldn’t mean you lose color and creativity in your wardrobe. This is why I believe whimsy is resonating with so many. Once the trend entered the mainstream, many who grew up in the early 2000s tapped back into a joyful, childlike whimsy. Overall, it brings a boost of confidence or happiness to simple things like choosing an outfit in the morning. 

Colorful hairstyles, unique nails, and piercings also emerged as complements to a whimsical wardrobe. Being yourself was the popular thing to do, and that is what broke so many out of a copy/paste cycle. We are seeing the remnants of whimsy in current summer trends such as bright pastel colors and patterns.

The Decor 

When you look your best, you feel your best. But what about the environment around you? Millennial grey, menial decor, and symmetrical furniture aren’t exactly exciting to look at each day. So whimsy came to save the day! 

While it can be tempting to overconsume to fill a room, many whimsical touches come from simple things we forget as we grow older. Party streamers, star garlands, or colorful lighting can add life back into a beige, boring room. Patchwork garlands can be made out of old paper lying around, and party streamers are probably hidden away in a garage or closet. I know many fell victim to 2020 starlights and mood lighting. These small things can make entering your space exciting again! 

Some other popular ideas are adding plants, painting or wallpaper, and thrifting unique furniture. But what about starting small? Thrifting and garage sales can be great ways to find unique charms to add to your space. But an even more meaningful way to fill your space is to get a group together to paint kitchenware or sew purses and bags. The most unique pieces you’ll find are ones created or ones that hold memories.

Many people online often showcase small decorations or rooms filled with items that bring them joy. Instead of being aesthetically pleasing or trending, everything they’ve picked means something to them. When we start to build a space or environment around us for personal pleasure rather than to follow trends, we tap back into our individuality. We become individuals who have our own favorite hobbies, ideas, and personalities again! So the next time you look around your room, try to find things that represent you. Not an aesthetic or trend. 

The Habits 

While external acts of whimsy can bring some happiness to your everyday, so can little habits or rituals you do yourself! Whimsy not only can be healing but also introduce a form of self-care you didn’t know you needed. 

Habits such as journaling or walking are purely buzzwords at this point. Add some whimsy! Instead of writing how your day was or how you are feeling, collect some things from your day to put in your journal! Stickers from produce, flowers from a garden, even a receipt from somewhere exciting you went. Allow your memories to have color and feeling when you look back at them. And I’m sorry, but screw going on a walk. Put on some music or just listen to nature, and make it into a scavenger hunt. Try to find 5 types of flowers or follow a certain color around. Don’t make self-care feel like a chore. Let whimsy add excitement back into your life! 

Even making food can be whimsical. A popular way to add fun back into meals is to add characters or shapes to them. Some of my favorites include Hello Kitty bento box, galaxy-themed yogurt or fruit bowls, and of course, sprinkles on ANYTHING. Even if you’re reheating or microwaving a meal, adding something fun to it adds a sense of… well, whimsy.

The little things matter as well. One of my favorites that I incorporate into my morning routine is “waking up” my apartment. It is so hard to get out of bed and actually feel awake. So turning on the lights, opening the curtains, and folding the couch blankets from the night before feel like I’m waking up my space. Getting my space ready for the day ahead. Other small things that take truly no energy are feeling the sun when you wake up, sitting in silence and observing, or watching a cartoon while making a meal. Something that feeds your soul and makes hard things easier. 

The Relationships 

Decorating for any holiday or party is one of the few things I will always have the energy and time to do. I could forget to make time to read or do the laundry, but I will drop everything to decorate for friends or family. But I cannot stand it when the decoration is either some paper plates and cake or a tree with no lights! 

Whimsy has added some new party decoration ideas to replace the boring old traditions. Fancy Nancy and fairy garden parties are my favorites. Fancy Nancy parties give attendees an excuse to go all out and dress up! Think colorful feather boas, patterned dresses, and tiaras. Fairy

garden parties are exactly what they sound like. Dressing up in fairy, cottage-core attire and having a tea party potluck in the park. Invite me right now. Taking the stress out of an awkward get-together or spicing up a normal event with whimsy! 

You can even use whimsy to spice up relationship dates. Instead of dinner or movie night, add some fun activities. Face painting, dressing each other at a thrift store, or karaoke in the car. Fun and exciting ideas that don’t include sitting in silence or paying $40 for a plate of pasta. 

Spending time with any relationship in your life shouldn’t feel like a bland routine. Trying new things can create beautiful memories and fun that routine can’t provide. 

Closing Thoughts 

Angelina Draper, the cofounder of Morning People Matcha, made drinking matcha daily a habit in her own life. Bringing her happiness and feeding her soul in the same way whimsy does for most. Samantha Grindell Pettyjohn asked Draper what whimsy means to her in her article exploring whimsy in her personal life, and she said, “It has a lot to do with not taking life so seriously and yourself so seriously, and being more playful, more creative, sort of tapping into childlike energy. Sometimes, we forget that life is supposed to be fun."

Whimsy at its core isn’t another excuse to consume. At its core, it is about finding your own creativity and joy in life. While life can feel dull, or even as if it has you trapped in routine, whimsy reminds us that there is so much we haven't tried yet. Adding whimsy to your everyday life is a way to discover yourself and what life has to offer. 

Sources 

Business Insider. (2026, February). The whimsy trend, explained: Why it works. https://www.businessinsider.com/whimsy-trend-explained-why-it-works-2026-2