A few years ago, I started a book club at work.
And I didn’t think it would be that popular.
But three years later we’re still here, reading, sharing, and getting to know each other through the books we enjoy (or hate - mostly hate). And, most importantly, we’re still growing.
And the thing is, this book club was never a part of a strategy. I didn’t have any overarching plan for it, and no one told me I had to do it.
I just did it - for the joys of workplace whimsy.
Workplace whimsy is - apparently - what’s going to save us all from burnout, from stress, and from the general unhappiness of having a job - according to TikTok.
With job insecurity lurking behind every shadowy corner, and Gen Z not even bothering to save for retirement, it’s clear something is missing from our workplace culture - happiness.
But, thanks to socials, something is shifting in the office (and no, it’s not another desk reshuffle). Hustle culture is quietly dying (RIP), rest is no longer taboo, and a new, unexpected word has entered the workplace vocabulary:
Whimsy.
In this post, we’ll explore the social phenomenon of ‘whimsy’, how it’s spreading into the workplace (and why this is a good thing), as well as how you can bring more whimsy into the office (and still be a corporate genius).
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In short…
Workplace whimsy, aka the art of bringing playfulness, joy, and a little bit of magic into your working day, is having a moment. Burnt out by hustle culture and chronically online, people are craving something slower, softer, and a lot more fun. And it turns out, a bit of whimsy isn't just good for the soul; it's good for business, too. So whether it's a book club, a Tamagotchi, or a little treat on a bad day, here's why your workplace needs more of it.
So, what is whimsy?
According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, whimsy refers to "unusual, funny, and pleasant ideas or qualities."
It's about being imaginative and playful. Not serious, not strategic, not corporate - think about it as everything a Boomer in a corner office would quietly disapprove of.
It’s about embracing the humorous, the quirky - and highlighting the little moments of joy throughout a day.
It’s making those best bits about being human stand out, for no other reason than pure happiness - think gingham, floral, celestial themes.
Whimsy’s rise to fame online
If you’ve been scrolling your socials recently, the algorithm has probably shown you a bit of whimsy. From creators sharing their tips for adding more whimsy into your life, your wardrobe, and even your diet.
This shift from cottagecore, romanticising the everyday and the coquette aesthetic, has culminated in the natural progression to whimsy. It’s all about reclaiming the softer and more nuanced joys in life - and opting out of the relentless seriousness of adulthood.
With a dash of nostalgia, a splash of joy, and a lot of gingham, let your inner child enjoy more fairytale moments by adding more whimsy into your life.
Natalie McPherson, a Miami Content Creator
Read more: 4 social media experts share their TikTok trend predictions for 2026
Why workplace whimsy is having a moment
1. The death of Hustle Culture
Because fairies weren’t made to hustle.
We’ve all been made to believe that the harder you work, the better you are. It’s ingrained into us from a young age (hello, SATS), our careers, and even our rest days, with productivity the be-all and end-all of our waking hours (especially if you’re a woman).
Productivity has been linked to morality, with working hard being synonymous with being a good person and self-worth.
But, by chronically overworking ourselves, studies have shown that this has had a direct impact on our levels of anxiety, depression, and exhaustion, creating a cycle of burnout and mental health issues.
And, because of this, people have had enough - and are yearning for something quieter.
2. Quiet quitting, lazy girl jobs, and the four-day week
Quiet quitting, or doing the absolute bare minimum at work, was made popular a few years ago when it gained notoriety online. This has now exploded into the ‘Lazy Girl Job’ trend, popularised by TikTok creator Gabrielle Judge, for emphasising high-paying but low-stress, flexible remote work, so that you can focus more on your mental wellbeing.
What these online trends are showing is that there’s a want (and a need) for more balance in a career and working week - think less Wall Street and more bed sheet.
This has culminated in the concept of the four-day working week, which has been commonplace in places like the Netherlands for years now. Companies here have noticed that since adopting a four-day working week, productivity and retention have gone up, whilst staff sicknesses have gone down. So far, more than 250 organisations in the UK have adopted a four-day week with similar results.
3. We're so tired, and technology made it worse
Being connected 24/7 hasn’t made us more efficient. Instead, we just work and doomscroll more - and we’re all just chronically tired.
Plus, this adoption of technology into our everyday lives means that we’re tracking things we’ve never tracked before, turning every inch of our lives into data. From how much we sleep and eat to exercising and habit tracking, we’ve turned every aspect of our lives into a spreadsheet, and it’s just exhausting.
We need a break and a shift in mindset.
Emma Gannon, author of A Year of Nothing
How to make your workplace more whimsical
The good news: Whimsy is free. All it takes is a bit of creativity, some enthusiasm, and a lot of positivity. So if you’re looking to bring a bit of whimsy into the office, here’s your official whimsy checklist.
At the organisational level
1. Offer flexible work hours
With 83% of employees saying they’re more productive when working from home, and 77% of Millennials saying flexible schedules are a real positive, flexibility should be the norm.
Rather than having several meetings that could have been an email, it’s about protecting your team’s uninterrupted time for some productive working whimsy.
2. Champion mental health support
Having inclusive and accessible mental health support at work is a must-have if you want a healthy working culture. Workplace whimsy is all about supporting your team’s authentic self, and that can only be achieved through a safe and supportive working environment.
3. Ask how they are
We’re not robots. We have lives outside of the workplace, and we’re constantly striving for connections. That’s why building in that time for a laugh, an informal check-in, or a question about the family could make the world of difference to someone on the edge of burnout.
Read more: How to tell your authentic brand story with merch
4. Have some fun
Neuroscientist Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, found that play is a biological necessity. It builds neural connections, reduces cortisol, and restores joy. With 47% of employees saying that work is the main cause of stress for them, scheduling in more play could help combat feelings of exhaustion.
At the individual level
5. Desk dopamine
You’ll probably spend a lot of time at your desk over your career, so why not add a bit of whimsy to it? Depending on your workplace policy, add some personality to your desk with pictures, cute collectables, or quirky accessories. They’ll not only make you smile but will most likely make others chuckle, too.
6. Take playful breaks
Even if ‘play’ isn’t part of your workplace culture, there’s nothing stopping you from whipping out a Tamagotchi for a quick break between meetings. Have a quick game of cards with a colleague, or start a puzzle club. Play helps you cope with stress, so get the games out before a big meeting.
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7. Go for a walk
Stanford researchers found that walking, especially outside, significantly boosts creative thinking, as well as the ability to solve problems. And there’s truly nothing better than a lunchtime stroll after being stuck in a stuffy office all morning.
8. Stop multitasking
Contrary to popular belief, multitasking doesn’t make you more productive; in fact, it lowers your productivity by 40%. Also, on average, it takes you around 20 minutes to settle into a task, so if you’re multitasking, you never get past that settling-in time. By staying focused on one task, you’ll feel better, more focused, and a lot happier - the core of whimsy.
9. Plan thinking time
Does this sound familiar: you plan out your entire day, but by the end of it you're still feeling frazzled? Planning in some thinking time could help with this by scheduling in the time to let your mind wander and be unapologetically human - and you never know what ideas you might come up with.
"No matter how busy you think you are, you can carve time and space to think out of your workday."
Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism
10. Little treats are a must
Some days, everything feels just a bit much. Maybe you had a bad day at work, you’re feeling downhearted by the news, or maybe you’re just feeling a bit bleh. That’s when treating yourself to something small can turn your day around - be it a new candle, a new book, or a new fancy bowl.
It’s all about allowing yourself those small moments of intentional joy that are deliberate to remind yourself that you’re human and you’re alive.
Read more: Are Labubus trolling marketers? What B2B brands can learn from the latest TikTok craze
Why we all need more whimsy
Whimsy may have started as a TikTok trend, but there’s a lot of science backing it up.
A 2021 study found that employees who had slower-paced routines experienced 25% less burnout and 15% higher job satisfaction over six months.
Research also shows that nostalgia (a close relative of whimsy) improves your experience at work by offering comfort, inspiration, and motivation, while helping people through difficult career moments and helping teams bond.
And with the average UK employee now working on average for eight hours a day, but showing to be productive for less than three, moving to a slower, more whimsical mindset at work isn’t actually as lazy as you think it might be.
Read more: Saved by the merch: How brands can recreate the iconic 90s merch aesthetic
Whimsy FAQs
1. What is workplace whimsy?
Workplace whimsy is the practice of bringing playfulness, joy, and a touch of the unexpected into your working day. Think less corporate machine, more human being — it's about making space for the small moments of happiness that make work feel worthwhile.
2. Is workplace whimsy just a TikTok trend?
It started there, but the idea is backed by real science. Studies show that slower-paced routines reduce burnout, nostalgia improves team bonding, and play is a biological necessity — so whimsy is less of a fleeting trend, more of a long-overdue workplace reset.
3. Why is workplace whimsy becoming so popular now?
Burnout is at an all-time high, hustle culture is losing its appeal, and people are actively looking for more balance and joy in their careers. Whimsy is the antidote — a quieter, more sustainable way of working that prioritises people over productivity.
4. Does whimsy actually improve productivity?
Counterintuitively, yes. Employees with slower, more intentional routines report significantly less burnout and higher job satisfaction. Play builds neural connections, reduces cortisol, and walking outside has been shown to boost creative thinking — all of which makes for better, more focused work.
5. How can organisations bring more whimsy into the workplace?
Start with the basics: flexible working hours, meaningful mental health support, and simply asking your team how they're doing. Beyond that, build in time for fun — whether that's a team social, a games afternoon, or just protecting people's uninterrupted working time.
6. How can individuals add more whimsy to their working day?
Small things go a long way. Personalise your desk, take playful breaks, go for a lunchtime walk, stop multitasking, and schedule in some proper thinking time. And on the hard days? A little treat never hurt anyone.
7. What is the link between whimsy and mental health?
Chronic overworking has been directly linked to anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. Whimsy pushes back against that by encouraging rest, play, and connection — creating a healthier, more sustainable relationship with work.
8. How does branded merch tie into workplace whimsy?
Merch and whimsy share the same DNA — both are about making people feel seen, valued, and a little bit delighted. The right branded merch isn't just a giveaway; it's a signal that a company understands its people and wants to celebrate them.Bring the whimsy with merch
And one way you can bring some joy and whimsy back into the workplace? With branded merch.
Just like whimsy, merch makes people feel seen, connected, and appreciated.
It feels like a treat - a gift that says, “we see you, and thanks for being you.”
Whimsy shouldn’t only exist after 5 pm. So, start that book club, say no to that meeting, and dig out your childhood Tamagotchi.
Or, you know, order merch that makes you smile.
Because workplace whimsy is what’s going to get us all through the hard moments, one little treat at a time.
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