People take life way too seriously. Sure, existing as a human being can occasionally be a horrifically inescapable reality, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that positivity is an obsolete concept. No matter the situation, there will always be a silver lining awaiting discovery– even if you have to drag it out of hiding against its will for it to be recognized. To combat this epidemic of negativity, I think that society should really learn a thing or two from the propeller hat-wearing, comically large lollipop-holding dogs of the world: be the whimsical among the dismal.
Merriam-Webster defines whimsy as the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful. A description that, in my opinion, leads to more confusion than it does clarification. If I had to throw my hat in the ring and attempt to define whimsy, I would say that whimsy is the quality or state of thinking and acting freely or eccentrically with an unrestrained imagination. Regardless of which definition you resonate with the most, the charm of whimsy is indisputable.
While it’s viscerally disheartening that evil and negativity run rampant in today’s world, would it surprise you to hear that a simple cure to the anguish of existence comes in a conveniently whimsy-shaped package? Even the largest concoction of stress in the world couldn’t defeat a whimsical demeanor and a life enjoyed without shame. When things get hard, simply being jolly and unabashedly true to yourself could make things that much easier.
Another benefit of adopting a whimsical disposition is that you won’t have to rely so heavily on external sources of dopamine to be happy. People are flakey, everything is temporary and life is a mobile creature, so why sit around and wait for a source of dopamine to find you? With whimsy, you can find happiness yourself. Delight in the scurrying of a ladybug on its way to a vibrant leaf. Hum along to the song that’s been stuck in your head while you work on a menial task. Smile whenever you see your favorite color out in the wild. Life doesn’t have to be so serious, and happiness doesn’t have to be so finite when you’re filled with whimsy.
Wrapping your head around the concept of whimsy can be difficult, and you might just dismiss the idea altogether if you’re a pessimist, but there’s no harm in giving the mindset a shot. Life can easily be overrun by unfortunate circumstances and unchecked gloom, yet whimsy always finds a way to prevail. Take the first step in making life more enjoyable, and allow yourself to delight in the little things. Whimsy shouldn’t challenge your way of thinking or threaten your sense of self. Instead, let whimsy bloom into every nook and cranny of your soul and rejoice in the freedom that it brings. Life is already hard enough, so don’t make it harder for yourself by taking it super seriously– embrace whimsy.
