Why Everyone’s Suddenly Googling “How To Be More Whimsical”

If your 2026 resolution involves relaxing, having fun, and maybe not turning every hobby into a side hustle, congratulations. You’re right on trend.

Google reports searches for “whimsy” are exploding, with people looking up everything from “year of whimsy” to “whimsy goals” to “how to add more whimsy to your life.” The internet, it seems, is craving a little playful chaos.

So what even counts as whimsy?
Think spontaneous, lighthearted, and joy-driven. Doing things simply because they feel good, not because they’re productive, profitable, or optimized for content.

In other words, fun for fun’s sake. Revolutionary.

Social media is in its whimsical era

TikTok and Instagram are flooded with people leaning into a softer, more carefree vibe. Cottagecore scenes, bubble machines, skipping rocks, random crafting projects, and aimless wandering are all having a moment.

One creator described the lifestyle as a mix of dilly-dallying and unapologetically messing around. Not exactly résumé material, but excellent for your soul.

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Why whimsy is suddenly appealing

After years of hustle culture, burnout, and feeling like every second needs to “count,” people are swinging in the opposite direction. There’s a growing push toward slower living, mindfulness, and doing things offline that aren’t meant to be monetized.

Whimsy fits neatly into that shift. It’s low-stakes, slightly weird, and refreshingly human.

It’s also getting buzz as a possible “Word of the Year.” After everything the past few years have thrown at us, romanticizing simple pleasures like flying a kite, baking colourful cupcakes, or doodling for no reason suddenly feels less silly and more necessary.

So if you’ve felt the urge to follow a random curiosity, try something pointless, or embrace your inner chaos gremlin… that’s not you losing focus. That’s you being very on trend.

In 2026, whimsy isn’t about outcomes. It’s about detours, delight, and letting life be a little less efficient and a lot more fun.