When was the last time you were whimsical?

Whimsy is the theme for this month’s ‘Tell Us About….’ a newish link up hosted by some lovely ladies from all over the world. You can see who they are at the end of the post and perhaps check out what they have written about ‘whimsy’.

Perhaps whimsy is donning a colourful scarf to an outfit, taking off for the day to explore, doing something that is out of your comfort zone and fun, trying new food, a new hairstyle, new fashion -without overthinking it. My friend, Debbie from Deb’s World inspires me constantly as she is very good at adding Whimsy to her life.

The word whimsical came to mind and it made me stop and think. When was I last whimsical? When did I do something fanciful or on a whim?

I’m not really one to do things spontaneously, on a whim – maybe that is the Virgo coming out in me. I’m a list girl, a goal girl, an everything in it’s place girl. I’m not one to do ‘spur of the moment’ things and this prompt ‘whimsy’ has made me realise I need to change that!

Life is too short not to live every moment and being whimsical, acting on a whim is certainly doing that.

Sue – Women Living Well After 50

‘Whimsy’ is a strange word isn’t it?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives the meaning as:

1

: WHIM, CAPRICE

2

: the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful

the designer’s new line showed a touch of whimsy

3

: a fanciful or fantastic device, object, or creation especially in writing or art

Where did the word come from?

Again, Merriam-Webster explains:

Whimsical and the related nouns whim and whimsy all ultimately derive from whim-wham, a noun from the early 16th century that originally referred to an ornamental object or trinket. Later whim-wham, with its fun sound, came to refer to a fantastic notion or odd fancy. The word’s origin isn’t clear, but it’s worth noting that the similar-sounding flimflam had, in its earliest use, a similar meaning referring to an odd or nonsensical idea or tale. Whim naturally came about as a shortened form of whim-wham, and whimsy and whimsical eventually followed. Whimsical now describes more than just decisions made impulsively, but things resulting from an unrestrained imagination, as in “whimsical children’s book characters.”

The health benefits of being ‘whimsical’

• keeps you out of a rut
• brings fun and excitement to life
• encourages you to try new things and step out of your comfort zone

What have I done lately that was whimsical?

We haven’t travelled overseas since pre-COVID, although we spent a glorious three weeks in Tasmania in October. In the past we have been restricted to travel around our responsibilites however, now life is different and we are more flexible with our time. It was great to be able to make some travel bookings on the spur of the moment to take advantage of some travel deals.

We had booked two cruises on a whim in January – one a cruise to Papua New Guinea in June and another River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel with pre-visit in Amsterdam and post in Milan, Italy for November. Last week, again on a whim we booked a Cruise out of Southampton, UK to Norway and Iceland for June 2024. We will combine this with a visit to England and Scotland.

Children are great examples of being ‘whimsical’

Spending time with my grandsons is always a lesson in letting go of the day-to-day responsibilities and enjoying the moment. I remember walking my grandson to school and along the way and his younger brother was stopping to pick dandelions and blow them to make a wish.

When was the last time you were ‘whimsical’? I’d love to hear what you did.

The hosts of ‘Tell Us About’ are:

• Gail from Is this Mutton (UK)
• Deb from Deb’s World (Australia)
• Mary Katherine from MK’s Adventures in Style (USA)
• Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper (UK)
• Jill from Grownup Glamour (Australia)
• Michelle from Following My Muse (USA)

Women Living Well After 50

Living Life Your Way