35 ways to add more whimsy to your life—and why that’s great for your mental health

What is whimsy?

By definition, whimsy is the state of being whimsical, such as through playful, fanciful, or spontaneous behavior. On social media, the concept of adding whimsy to your life has taken on pop psychology status as shorthand for intentionally making room for more lightness, imagination, or wonder, says Hallie Kritsas, a licensed mental health counselor at Thriveworks.

That could be leaving positive notes for strangers, assigning personalities to inanimate objects, or whatever you feel drawn to do in the name of curiosity. You might even weave a little whimsy into your style or your surroundings so it’s a passive part of your day-to-day. “It harkens to freedom of self-expression, authenticity, and allowing yourself to have fun,” says Alexandra Cromer, a licensed professional counselor at Thriveworks.

As adults, many of us lose touch with that playful mindset. As we take on more responsibilities, life can start to revolve around productivity, structure, efficiency, and recovery, Cromer says. Anything without purpose or urgency falls right off the to-do list. And depending on your job, budget, living situation, or social circle, forms of self-expression like dressing differently or decorating your space creatively can feel off-limits.

“People sometimes have the perception that whimsy is childish, but it’s just as important for adults,” Kritsas says.

Why whimsy is great for your mental health

There’s not necessarily a wealth of research on “whimsy” as a concept, but it’s not hard to imagine the mental health benefits when you break down some of its common features.

For one, to be whimsical is often to play, Kritsas points out, and we don’t get enough of that as adults despite its ability to relieve stress and boost mood. Looking for ways to add more whimsy to your life often includes plenty of healthy creativity, too, letting you tap into your imagination simply for the fun of it.

Cromer adds that whimsy inadvertently encourages mindfulness, a practice that can help with anxiety and emotion regulation. “To be whimsical, you have to be present and think about the act itself,” Cromer says. As a bonus, Kritsas adds, it’s a great way to interrupt thought spiraling or pull your attention away from negative thought patterns for a while.

Part of the appeal, Cromer says, is that whimsical acts aren’t tied to a specific goal or deeper purpose—they offer levity for the sake of levity. And in a culture that values productivity above almost everything else, whimsy pushes back on the idea that your every move has to be in service of anything bigger than simply enjoying yourself. “It can remind us that there doesn’t have to be a big point to every minute of every day,” Kritsas agrees.

And while you can tap into whimsy solo, a lot of the time, “it promotes interconnection and reminds us we’re part of a collective,” Cromer says. Whether you’re doing a good deed for a stranger or frolicking with your friends, you’re soaking up little zaps of good-for-you social belonging.

How to add more whimsy to your life

It wouldn’t be very whimsical if there were all sorts of rules and guidelines for adding whimsy to your life—what’s important is that it lights you up. That said, therapists say these tips can help if you’re not sure how to cultivate more whimsy:

Start small.

“Whimsy can be a big thing, or it can be as simple as just doing something that’s fun instead of goal-oriented,” Cromer says. When first wading into the whimsy pool, little acts are more accessible and still capture the spirit of what this trend is really about: creating tiny pockets of delight in everyday life, and not turning joy into another overwhelming assignment hanging over you.

Put something whimsical on your calendar.

Sure, whimsy often looks like following an impulse in the moment—buying yourself flowers on a rough day or pulling over to watch a pretty sunset—but Kritsas emphasizes that you can also put play time on the calendar. “It sounds weird to suggest scheduled whimsicalness, but sometimes we need to be intentional about bringing it into our lives,” she says. Personally, she carves out one Saturday a month where she leans in, whether she listens to music all day or revisits movies from her childhood. Maybe you pick a day to go frolic in a field with your friends or you take a long lunch to go on a side quest searching for the best cookie in a five-block radius.

Think about your personal definition of whimsy.

To tap into what will feel whimsical to you, Cromer suggests brainstorming around questions like: What did you enjoy doing as a kid? What do you daydream about? How would you spend your time if you didn’t have to work—and what’s a small version of that? When in doubt, think back to Child You, or another time you felt especially carefree. Maybe you loved collecting rocks as a kid. Well, there’s no stopping Adult You from picking up a spectacular stone from every trip you take.

35 little ways to add more whimsy to your life

If coming up with your own list of whimsical acts feels intimidating, we’ve got you covered. Here are some ideas to get you started, inspired by comments on TikTok and Reddit.

1. Leave a positive Post-it note somewhere a loved one (or stranger) will unexpectedly find it.
2. Give your houseplants (or appliances, toiletries, or pieces of furniture) names, personalities, or dramatic backstories.
3. The next time you need to take a few deep breaths, go outside and blow some bubbles.
4. Thank your dishwasher, shredder, printer, or air fryer for a job well-done.
5. Walk on the curb of the sidewalk like it’s a balance beam on your next stroll.
6. Order the silly, colorful, or otherwise special drink instead of your usual.
7. Spread around some good luck by leaving pennies face up for people to find.
8. Actually put your stickers on something (a notebook, water bottle, computer) instead of stashing them in a drawer.
9. Hydrate out of whatever vessel suits your mood (martini glass, wacky mug, big silly commemorative cup, etc.)
10. Indulge in your favorite seasonal treats entirely out of season. There is nothing illegal about eggnog in July.
11. Choose a fictional character to inspire your style (or choices) for a day.
12. Invent a new tradition like Text All Your Friends Tuesdays or Fancy Snack Fridays.
13. Say hi to the creatures you pass, from dogs to squirrels to birds. On that note, say hi to the moon whenever you see it.
14. Make low-stakes decisions by rolling dice, spinning wheels, or closing your eyes and pointing.
15. Pretend you’re on a cooking show the next time you’re cooking dinner.
16. Pick a day to wander through a walkable neighborhood with zero plans, just following the vibes of whatever storefront calls to you.
17. Regularly try to “predict the future” about unimportant things, like what song will play next at the coffee shop or what color shirt your friend will show up wearing.
18. Communicate (with yourself, with pets, with others) by singing instead of talking.
19. Pretend errands are side quests by narrating along in your head, choosing the right soundtrack, or exploring unexpected routes.
20. Hide tiny figurines (like trolls or ducks) around your home or town, then periodically check to see if anyone has found them.
21. Doodle on napkins at restaurants (or ask for a kids menu and crayons if they have it).
22. Put one of your pets in charge when you leave (don’t forget to tell them why you chose them).
23. Put sun catchers in your windows for occasional rainbow surprises.
24. Wear a special outfit or accessory whenever you have to do an especially dull chore (like a flower crown to the DMV).
25. Make a wish on every candle you blow out, not just birthday candles.
26. Wander around a bookstore reading just the first pages until you find one you must continue.
27. Bring back your favorite childhood trend, from friendship bracelets to butterfly clips.
28. Initiate a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with a stranger at a stoplight.
29. Put googly eyes on something you’ll see every day, like your coffee maker or your wifi router.
30. Whip out the “nice” dishes for takeout or leftovers.
31. Hand out absurdly specific compliments like “I bet all your friends’ pets love you” or “Your emoji choice is always impeccable”.
32. Paint rocks and leave them outside for strangers to find.
33. Order dessert before your entree.
34. Add all these ideas and more to a whimsy jar so you can choose them at random.
35. Make a blanket fort. Literally no one is stopping you.