There is a specific kind of magic that settles in during the first week of June. The busyness of the school year has officially folded into the archives, the mornings feel a little softer, and for the first time in months, the clock feels like a friend rather than a taskmaster.
This summer, my first real summer break as a working mom, I am making a very intentional choice. I’m calling it my Summer of Whimsy.
Whimsy isn't just for children or storybooks. It’s a way of looking at the world that chooses joy over efficiency and magic over the mundane. It’s about romanticizing the everyday, finding the "extra" in the ordinary, and living life fully to the glory of our Lord in the midst of our normal, beautiful lives.
After a spring that felt a little heavy and a lot hurried, I am ready to spend these next three months dreaming with my eyes wide open. I want to live like I used to before the digital noise and the endless to-do lists, where a rainy day at the library was an adventure and a cup of coffee in a special mug felt like a celebration.
If you’re ready to trade "busy" for "bright" and "monochrome" for "pastel," I’ve put together a list of ways we can add a little extra magic to our days together. I’ve even designed a little something special to help us keep track of our whimsical goals (scroll down for a freebie!).
Here is how I’m inviting whimsy into my world this season:
Whimsical Spaces
1. Trade the Scroll for a Soundscape
Instead of distracting myself with the television or falling into the trap of endless doom-scrolling, I’ve started playing ambient soundscapes to transport me to a magical place while I do my daily tasks. I may look like I’m just folding giant piles of laundry, but in my mind, I’m doing it in a cozy forest cottage tucked right next to a babbling brook!
2. Cultivate a View (Bird or Cloud Watching)
Bird watching is another one of my favorite ways to slow down and simply enjoy the present moment. Danny has lovingly been adding little touches to our front flower garden to attract more birds for me to discover. If birds aren't your thing, cloud watching is just as wonderful. It forces you to be right where your feet are, instead of worrying about the "what-ifs" of tomorrow.
3. Host a Living Room Picnic
Living room picnics are a fantastic way to escape the monotony of the normal routine and add an instant bit of whimsy to your afternoon. You can even turn it into a double feature by pairing it with a nostalgic movie night (Camp Nowhere, anyone?) or make it fancy by wearing your favorite outfit and accessories.
4. Dress for the Occasion (Even if the Occasion is Staying Home)
Remember: you have full permission to treat any ordinary day like a special event! Make the effort to do your hair and makeup, put on an outfit that makes you feel amazing, and add those fun accessories. You don't need a red carpet invitation to look and feel beautiful.
Whimsical Creations
5. Craft Something Summery
Something about summer makes time pass just a little bit slower; perhaps it’s those extra hours of golden evening sunlight. Whatever it is, it always motivates me to get creative. To kick things off, Evie and I made shell bracelets together. I had an absolute blast matching unique shell pieces with colorful glass beads to create the ultimate summer accessory.
6. Build a Fairy Village
If you love spending time outside, building a fairy village might be the perfect project for you. I spent an evening clearing out a section of our flower garden so Evie could construct a tiny, magical village out of pieces we’ve collected over the last couple of years. It brings me so much joy to pass by it every time we walk to and from the house!
7. Bake Something Magical
If an indoor activity is more your speed, head to the kitchen and bake something truly special. Grab a cookbook you’ve been eyeing and pick out a delicious recipe to treat yourself to, or whip up a batch of something sweet to share with family and neighbors.
8. Find Your Signature Summer Sip
Don’t let the summer sun drain your energy! Choose a super special, signature drink to celebrate the season. My personal go-tos this year are classic sweet tea with lots of fresh lemon, or a crisp Raspberry Sherbet Olipop.
9. Send Whimsical Snail Mail
Another beautiful way to slow down the pace of your days is by handwriting letters. Sit down with some pretty stationery, tell a loved one all about your summer adventures, and decorate the pages with fun doodles and stickers before sealing it up with a cute stamp. Receiving unexpected mail is pure magic.
10. Queue Up a Dreamy Playlist
Summer vibes are lost without a soundtrack! Take some time to curate a summer playlist complete with nostalgic tracks from summers gone by and your favorite upbeat tunes from today. Music has the ultimate power to elevate a mundane chore into a joyful moment.
Whimsical Adventures
11. Get Lost in a Book
You may not be jetting off to Bermuda or the Bahamas over the next few weeks, but you can still travel without ever leaving your house. Getting lost in a great book is one of my absolute favorite ways to quiet my mind. Bonus points if the story takes place during a sunny summer or inside a moody coastal town!
12. Embrace the Rainy Days
Is a summer thunderstorm bumming you out? It doesn't have to! Spend those dreary, overcast days getting lost in the rows of your local library or a cozy second-hand bookstore. Make it feel like a true adventure by stopping by your favorite local café afterward for a warm coffee and a treat.
13. Try Something Brand New
If you aren't sure what to do with a quiet pocket of free time, invest in yourself and learn a new skill. Have you always wanted to find out how to cross-stitch? Buy a beginner's kit! Want to finally tackle watercolor painting? Give it a shot! There is so much joy in being a beginner.
14. Channel "Main Character" Energy
No matter what your calendar looks like over the next three months, live it with true main character energy. You are the author and the star of your own story this season. Be unapologetically extra, go all out for yourself, and embrace the magic!
To help us both stay inspired and accountable to this slower, more magical pace, I created a little gift for you!
Introducing the Summer of Whimsy Bingo Card! It’s pretty enough to clip into your planner, pin to your kitchen bulletin board, or stick on the fridge as a daily reminder to choose joy.
Whether you challenge yourself to get a traditional Bingo, go for a full blackout card by August, or simply use it as a menu of cozy ideas when you're feeling a bit stuck, my prayer is that these small moments bring a deep sense of refreshment to your soul.
Let's make these next three months count, savoring the big milestones and the tiny, whimsical details alike.
Before you go, leave a comment below and tell me: Which square on the Bingo card are you going to check off first?
Thank you so much for reading, friends. It feels incredibly good to be back in this space with you. Have a beautiful, whimsical weekend, and I will see you right back here on Monday for our next summer update!
