Wishing for Whimsy
More people are sharing the little rituals that bring joy to their everyday lives – and (of course) there's something deeper behind it.
What’s going on?
Earlier in February, TikToker Abigail Bailey asked “Girlies, what are some things you do to be whimsical?” – and the responses were (largely) delightful.
From “I tell my cat she’s in charge when I’m going out the door” to “I say ‘excuse me’ to the pigeons on the sidewalk,” people shared the small ways in which they turn mundane moments into little rituals full of playfulness and deeper meaning.
What’s driving it?
Embracing whimsy definitely ties into larger trends – soft living, romanticizing everyday life, dopamine decor (and dressing), a broader rejection of the fear of being cringe, and a reclamation of the manic pixie dream girl aesthetic as a personal philosophy rather than a narrative trope.
It’s also a further pushback against hustle #girlboss culture and the expectation that every moment should be maximized for productivity. If the past decade was about monetizing hobbies and optimizing time, this is a signal that we’re reclaiming small, seemingly purposeless joys – because they matter.
What does it mean?
At its core, the embrace of whimsy also speaks to a deeper desire for agency. The world can feel bleak in many ways, so it makes sense that people are seeking meaning in these small, silly rituals. If you can’t control much, at least you can call dishwashing “bath time” or let your cat approve your grocery haul.
And, importantly, being whimsical isn’t about spending money– it’s about redefining luxury as an internal kind of self-created enchantment.
Some brands are already embracing it, like coffeehouse Grind in Shoreditch with its movie theater letter front, sharing funny and culturally resonant messages (ditto the London Tube noticeboards).
This is also where so many cartoonists, humorists, and satirists fit in – people who find meaning (and sometimes survival) in the absurd, reshaping reality through small, surreal interventions.
Final takeaway
Embracing whimsy, at its best, is a creative act – one that allows us to process the world on our own terms. It’s both a small act of resistance and a gentle form of escapism – not about ignoring reality, but about softening it, creating meaning on our own terms. Whether it’s a coping mechanism or a quiet rebellion, a little whimsy might just be the key to staying sane.
Some creators in this space (new section, hey!)
Pretty much all my fave cartoonists, including