On the Value of Whimsy

Life felt slower as a kid, and every small thing seemed to spark joy. Going to the park and getting a SpongeBob popsicle, or even just a really cool rock, made the day great. Then we grew older, and the days started to mush together. What did we have as kids that we are missing now? It might be our perspective, no longer looking at life with childlike wonder but rather with the cynical lens we adopt as we grow up and realize that life isn't just about SpongeBob popsicles and cool rocks. But do we benefit from this perspective, or do we need to bring some of that childhood mentality back? Do we perhaps need to rediscover our “whimsy”?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines whimsy as “playfully quaint or fanciful behavior or humor,” but the casual usage of the word has evolved, especially in recent years. Creators on social media take to trying to find “whimsy” after school or work. We might respond to a particularly overcritical comment with "Where's your sense of whimsy?” The modern-day definition seems to more closely relate to finding something interesting or fun in our everyday lives. 

According to the article “The Science of Novelty” by Alane Daugherty, finding this novelty directly triggers dopamine in our brain and increases concentration. In fact, finding novelty or “whimsy” can keep our brains healthy and reduce levels of anxiety and depression. 

So what exactly does it mean to have “whimsy”?

For students at the College of William and Mary, the idea of “whimsy” slightly varies, but holds a common theme of trying to find joy and adventure in the ordinary. 

“I feel like often we try to take things so seriously, and I think being whimsical is the opposite of that,” Eren Rumfelt ’29 said. 

Others, like Ren Evans ’29, interpret whimsy as an exploration of life experiences. 

“I've always defined my whimsy as kind of like a jack of all trades sort of thing,” Evans said.  “Like being able to take enjoyment in a plethora of different activities and [not] putting yourself in a box.”

Whimsy can also be freedom and finding happiness in the ordinary, like for Addison Carpenter ’29. 

“It's very freeing. It's ... carefree,” Carpenter said. “It's knowing yourself in a way and being content with that. And definitely enjoying [and] finding joy in everything, even the little things.”

While “whimsy” can be open to interpretation, assistant teaching professor of philosophy Jonah Goldwater thinks of the term more concretely. 

“I often think of things etymologically, so I assume that whimsy is related to whim, which is like an impulse or something capricious. Sometimes I find myself wanting to just do more things just on an impulse and not think so much,” Goldwater said. “I joke, as a philosopher, sometimes people will say, ‘Oh, philosophers overthink things.’ [I] say, there’s no such thing as overthinking something. But that’s probably not true. So it’s something to aspire to. [Whimsy] is to try to not overthink things and not be anxious about things and just do things that are fun.”

So, if people actively try to pursue whimsy, is it really going about life on a “whim”? Especially in the era of “performative males” and social media constantly turning daily life into content, are people who strive to find whimsy genuinely finding it? 

Carpenter, when asked if she constantly cultivates whimsy or if it’s a part of who she is, gave insight into both ideas. 

“I honestly think that it's a little bit of both,” Carpenter said. “I think that everybody has whimsy inside of them, but it takes [effort] to bring it out, and really embrace the whimsy.”

“It’s a mindset sort of. It’s just appreciating things in a certain way,” Rumfelt said. 

For Evans, there is a point at which one can overdo whimsy.

“I feel there's a fine line between whimsical and manic pixie dream girl. If you try to force it, then it slips over that line,” she said. “[Being] whimsical is more of just allowing yourself to have fun and being expressive and trying different things.”

Goldwater echoed the sentiment that true whimsy cannot be forced.

“There's this irony, where if you try [to be whimsical] you can't do [it]. Sometimes people think happiness is like that.” Goldwater said. “The way that you become happy is not by trying to be happy; it's just by trying to do something that's rewarding or engaging, and then you just become happy as a result.”

Whimsy is not just how people are or how they behave; objects, media, and celebrities can be perceived as whimsical as well. Rumfelt explained his favorite whimsical piece of media. 

“There's a painting that I really like called Night Party in Versailles that is the epitome of whimsy,” he said. “It's a couple on a boat in a fountain; it's where you can feel the music. It's actually huge in person, and you absolutely just feel like you're a part of this really intimate moment.”

For Evans, her whimsical piece of media is the album Something to Give Each Other by Troye Sivan.

“That album puts you in, like, such a fun mood. I always get so happy whenever I hear those songs playing. I feel like anything that really sparks joy is [whimsical].”

Individual songs can also spark whimsy. Carpenter mentioned “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cindi Lauper and “Dancing in the Moonlight” by Toploader, saying that the songs are “very freeing.” 

People can also be “whimsical icons,” whether they be certain celebrities who feel genuine or content creators who dress in fun styles. Rumfelt explained that creators who make art for the sake of art, not just to make profit or conform to the mainstream, seem especially whimsical. 

“I love Björk. She's like a whimsical icon in the sense that she just does everything for the joy of it, rather than a performative aspect. She's known to dress weird and make strange music,” Rumfelt said. “Some of her albums were completely lost to time because she made them because she wanted to, not because that's what was being demanded. She feels very disconnected from other people's opinions.” 

“I have, like, a top three,” Evans said. “It's got to be Helena Bonham Carter, Will Ferrell and then Kelly from The Office. She's so silly. She's so self-serving, but in the best way. I loved the episode when they filmed the music video inside the office. Like, the ‘Male Prima Donna’ music video.”

The people whom Carpenter finds whimsical are those she looks towards for outfit inspiration. 

“There are a few outfit people who I follow on Instagram and TikTok. I think they're pretty whimsical,” she said. “There's a girl, Victoria West, [and] she's so whimsical I love her. She's such an inspiration, and it's really cool to me to see how her style has evolved.”

But students here do not have to turn to the internet to find whimsical inspiration or style influencers. From Marvin the Crim Dell otter to Jaden Grant ’28, the illustrious unicycle guy, whimsical figures all around campus bring some novelty to what can be monotonous school days. On a warm sunny day, you can find many students roaming around the Sunken Garden playing spikeball, jamming out on instruments, or crocheting, perhaps participating in various whimsical acts. 

“My favorite things are seeing people that are doing stuff that might be considered weird or odd, and just it makes me happy. Like the guitar guy [and] the unicycle dude. It's just odd things that you notice, and you're like, ‘That's a little strange; that's wonderful,’” Rumfelt said. 

Carpenter noticed the whimsy on campus as well. 

“Everyone has whimsy inside of them. And I think that most of the people that I see here really do seem to be in touch with that, really seem to project their whimsicalness.”

With a variety of wildlife, every native tree in each of the 50 states, and the oldest college building in the United States still standing on campus, the scenery at the College also lends itself to whimsy.

“It is very easy to be whimsical here. If you just stand somewhere long enough, you're like, “This is kind of great.’ But at the same time, it's like you have to be whimsical to make the campus whimsical,” Rumfelt said.

Carpenter had similar thoughts. “I think it's so whimsical, [but] I do think that you have to be able to stop and really appreciate those things.”

Goldwater considers the age of the campus and when it was built, as well as its modern-day appearance, when discussing whimsy at the College. 

“I don't know that if I were going to characterize the 1690s, [...] as a whimsical time in history. But it's certainly a forum, in which people can express themselves and, I mean, to some extent that's up to the students, I suppose. Although, maybe the professors should be facilitating it. But there's no reason it can't be. It's a lovely place. It's a scenic place. We got some official arboretum standing. So you think flowers, meadows, trees, right? Isn't that an opportunity to be joyful and spirited?”

However, as an academic institution at its core, it can be hard for students to fully relax and destress. 

“[Students] can be very worried, very calculating. You know, ‘Should I major in this?’ You know, ‘Should I take this class? Should I join this group?” Goldwater said.

Some students say that finding whimsy or novelty during the school day definitely helps with those worries. Evans recalled feeling nervous and stressed about her midterm when she noticed something strange on the way to her exam. 

“I'm like, ‘What's that on the Sunken Gardens? Are those dogs? No! It's goats and pigs and donkeys,’” Evans said. “I don't know any other school that would have that. I thought that was really cool and fun, and it made me feel a lot better.” 

Not only did the College have a pop-up petting zoo, but its architecture can be grounding for students. 

“Especially in an academic environment, it's really easy to get super focused on what you have to get done,” Carpenter said. “Like, just focusing on school and forgetting to look around and be like ‘Wow, [the] Crim Dell just looks so beautiful this morning.’ I think that in terms of scenery, I think it's very whimsical. We just have to be able to look around and really take it in.” 

Whimsy can be an important tool for finding joy in the mundane or stressful situations. 

“That's the only thing that's getting me through this school year. The moment that I start letting go of what makes me happy, which is what I think whimsy kind of is, I start getting really sad and really depressed. Sometimes it makes things tolerable, really not great things tolerable,” Rumfelt said. 

Looking at life on a larger scale, Goldwater added that zooming one’s perspective too far out can be problematic. Grounding yourself with acts of whimsy to stay in the present might be useful. 

“People often have a very long-term [mindset] because they're worried about the future, which is understandable. But there's also a problem. Sometimes the idea is if you're always deferring for the future and you don't look for the present, then one day you wake up and you're old and you've missed everything,” he said, “Doing things in the present because they're fun in the present is a good thing. Fun is a valuable thing. Laughing is a valuable thing. It's valuable to have impulses, or ‘whimsy’ as you say." 

And maybe that's the concept we had so concretely as children, but often lack now. With increased responsibilities and knowledge of the nuances of reality, we can get caught up in what we have to get done and what the future holds for us. But there is value in taking a break, maybe to go find a good set of swings and a SpongeBob popsicle. 

“[Be] spontaneous and be whimsical and have fun and laugh and all the rest of it. So I'm in favor of [whimsy],” Goldwater said with a thumbs up. 

With whimsy in mind, find ways to make your own adventures, like you did as a kid. 

“One of the best ways to reintroduce a bit of joy is trying different things,” Evans said. “If you're someone that's bed rotting for eight hours in your dorm, you're probably not going to feel very whimsical and silly. Even if you can just take an hour out of your normal routine and try something new, I think that's really extremely helpful. Life is to be lived.”

“Whimsy is one of the most valuable things that you can have,” Carpenter said. “I think it's one of the most beautiful things about life. I think that, to find whimsy, you just have to be able to stop and take a moment and really appreciate the beauty in things.”

Perhaps that is part of what we are missing when we are nostalgic for our childhoods: the adventure in our ordinary lives, not caring what other people think. The joy we had for a snow day, the rock we kicked back home from school, and drawing with sidewalk chalk, letting our imaginations be our entertainment. We might not be kids anymore, but let's bring back whimsy.