Article by Kayla Stackhouse, Design by Lily Driver
To be whimsy is to be playful, creative and unpredictable. This can even call for a break away from your normal routine. But how do we do that in college? Being whimsical is supposed to take low effort, as it’s less of a performance and more of a mindset. When you treat everyday, ordinary moments like they’re special, being whimsical becomes less of a task. This can be difficult for college students as college is one big task. Following the same routine of classes, working out, extracurricular, studying, and many more things to consider, builds habits but leaves spare space for the fun needed in our lives. So let’s take being whimsical slow and start with a structure well known to college students — an agenda.
Sunday- Make a wish!
Sunday is the starting point of a new week, and while it doesn’t determine your tomorrow, it never hurts to start off on a more positive note. Blow out a candle, toss a coin in a fountain, or wait for it to turn 11:11pm. Or create a fun new way to create a wish. No shooting star? Find an airplane. Maybe instead of blowing out a dandelion, preserve it to remember your wish and outcome you will continuously strive on during the week.
Monday – Positive Affirmations!
Monday is when school really starts and instead of going into the mindset of hating Mondays, think positively. Write down positive affirmations to yourself or dedicate them to Monday for getting such a bad reputation.
Tuesday – Play with your food!
We’re all adults here playing with our food doesn’t have to be gross, it can be delicious. Decorate your yogurt bowl into a flower, put peaches on your waffle, decorate your ice cream like you’re about to present it to Gordon Ramsay. It just makes eating the food enjoyable.
Wednesday – Movie day
You’re at the halfway point of the week, why not reward yourself? That movie that you heard was good but never had time to see it, watch it. That movie you heard was bad, but couldn’t form an opinion, watch it. That movie that you have seen over 100 times because it’s your favorite, watch it. Get popcorn, candy, ice cream, whatever snack you want, a nice seat with a blanket, and watch that movie.
Thursday – Free moms
If anything screams whimsy, it’s Free Moms. Every Thursday from 1-4 p.m., go to Harris Fields and challenge yourself. Pet every dog and get to know the moms. No one is a stranger at Free Moms as all the smiling faces are merely friends you haven’t met yet. Start a conversation in the snack line, flower line, or sing happy birthday at the birthday table. Meeting new people and petting furry friends is a great source of whimsy right on our very own campus so take advantage..
Friday – Get out!
When you’re done with classes, get off campus! You don’t even have to go that far off campus. Walk up and down Hillsborough Street and check out local book stores, thrift stores, go out to eat, or try something new at your favorite cafe. You never know what exciting finds you’ll come across when you simply take a chance!
Saturday – Write it down!
Take some time Saturday to look back on your week and write about it. This can be done in a journal, a sticky note or a piece of paper that you like to look back on. If you want to get extra creative, make it a nice and polished letter to send to your friends or family, as reflecting and sharing with your loved ones can be a great way to celebrate another successful week.
Switch it up!
Take any day of the week to switch around the order of your whimsical task as whimsy doesn’t always need to be predetermined. Switch Sunday’s task to Monday’s, switch Wednesday and Friday, do them all on the same day, or even skip a day. Be unpredictable, change the task completely to whatever brings you the most joy, to the point where they don’t even feel like tasks anymore. After all, whimsy is a mindset, so make it your own.