Do you have any whimsy? The answer depends on who you ask. From bedazzling water bottles to romanticizing morning routines, this new lifestyle has taken over social media. It’s easy to see why. In today’s world, we all deserve a break from the doom and gloom of everyday life. Unfortunately, the whimsy we know and love seems to have a very different meaning nowadays: our understanding and application of whimsy has gone from finding the joy in the mundane to straight-up consumerism. As influencers and brands jump to capitalize off this rapidly growing trend, I can’t help but wonder if we've lost the true meaning of whimsy.
Unsurprisingly, social media plays a key role in this change. The popularization of “whimsy-maxxing" on platforms like Instagram and the push from brands to invest in “whimsical” products seems to only further support its commodification. Personally, I find nothing whimsical about buying a useless product that I’ll probably use only once and eventually forget about. Also, the concept of whimsy-maxxing is counterintuitive. It defeats the whole purpose of being whimsical if you’re constantly trying to one-up your whimsiness. There is additionally the pressing issue of overconsumption leading to excess waste, especially with the practice of bedazzling items. Due to most of the items being bedazzled as single use, landfills are filled with vast amounts of rhinestones and gems. I think it goes without saying that being whimsical shouldn’t negatively be affecting the environment.
While we may have strayed away from the actual essence of whimsy, that doesn't mean we can’t return to it. There are plenty of cheap and environmentally friendly ways to be whimsical that don’t require expensive products or a million rhinestones. Whimsy, at its core, comes from authentically living your life and finding the joy in the little things around you. As long as you keep a playful spirit and childlike sense of wonder, you will have whimsy.
Of course, trends come and go. People can only bedazzle items and buy cute trinkets for so long. But maybe if we start actually being whimsical, it’ll be here to stay. After all, in a dull and dreary world, whimsy is the much-needed light in the darkness.
Sources
https://www.michigandaily.com/opinion/columns/social-media-kills-whimsy/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/24/magazine/whimsy-magic-optimization.html https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/oct/01/best-whimsy-products https://www.trillmag.com/life/social-media/whimsy-maxxing-is-this-trend-whimsy-or-wasteful/
Cover Image: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1138284874613880576/
About the Author:
Pragya Kollu is a sophomore at the University of Oregon studying advertising and business administration in the honors college. In her free time she enjoys immersing herself in a good book, baking sweet treats for her family, and spending quality time with her cat Lexi.