"Conveniently, my winter blues peaked just as my social media algorithms started pushing the latest trend guaranteed to fix my life. My apps were flooded with posts about whimsy. It's the latest following the clean girl aesthetic, cottagecore, and maximalism trends, which weren't magic fixes for me. I saw get-ready-with-me videos of people dressing in bright colors, and TikTok creators adding playful touches to their homes. I paused to read Instagram tips on how to incorporate more whimsy into my own life."
"Admittedly, I even Googled: "What does being whimsical mean?" It seemed to come down to bringing levity to life when you can. It also turned out I wasn't the only person looking into whimsy at the start of 2026. Google Trends data shows that interest in whimsy online increased steadily between 2025 and 2026, more than in prior years. There are nearly 2 million posts under #whimsical on Instagram, and several TikTok videos about creating a whimsical 2026 have nearly 1 million views."
I started 2026 recovering from the flu, with a lingering cough and constant news-checking that amplified dread. I am approaching the 10th anniversary of my mom's death and recently lost my grandmother, making grief particularly heavy this winter. I wanted to feel a little lighter without erasing grief or stopping bad things from happening. My social media algorithms began pushing a whimsy trend, with bright clothing videos, playful home touches, and Instagram tips. I looked up whimsy and found it framed as bringing levity to life. Online interest in whimsy rose between 2025 and 2026, with nearly two million #whimsical posts and viral TikToks.
Read at Business Insider
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