Letter from the Editor: Finding joy in the whimsy

By Courtney Warren

It’s cold out there! With temperatures showing numbers younger than I am, the news reading like a scene from an apocalypse movie, and absolutely no end in sight, I am turning to the whimsical to hide my woes. I’ve emailed the reps, I’ve made the comments, I’ve reached out to friends, and now it is time to reboot.

So, I began watching a fun documentary series called The World According to Jeff Goldblum. Each episode has Jeff exploring quirky concepts that fascinate people, bringing the same gentle curiosity and comforting nostalgia as those classic moments where Mr. Rogers explained how crayons were made in the Crayola factory.

And that’s when it hit me. Why are we so obsessed with tiny things, blind boxes and mini collectibles? Why do we go wild over Labubus figurines or Jellycat stuffed animals that are impossibly soft, ridiculously small and sold out everywhere? There’s something about holding a tiny object that sparks joy, a feeling that’s pure and uncomplicated.

Maybe it’s the control factor. Tiny things fit neatly in our hands and in our lives, reminding us that some things can be simple and complete. Maybe it’s the surprise element of blind boxes, where joy comes from not knowing exactly what you’ll get. Or maybe it’s simply softness and tactile comfort, like a Jellycat bunny that melts in your arms and makes all your cares feel a little lighter.

Whatever the reason, these small joys matter. In a world that feels overwhelming, where news cycles spin endlessly and our schedules leave little room for wonder, it’s okay - even necessary - to revel in the miniature, the collectible, the soft and snuggly. They remind us to pause, to smile, to cherish a small miracle that exists purely for delight. I am currently on the hunt for a vintage letter tray, so I actually have a place to put all of my cute and tiny things.

And have you heard of dopamine decor or dopamine dressing? It’s my new favorite concept. I do this and didn’t even realize it. It is the idea of wearing clothing or decorating your home with things that bring you joy. They make you happy for whatever reason, rather than follow a trend. Over the last year, I have done away with almost everything in my house that doesn’t have a story. If you can’t pick it up while you’re exploring my home when I’m 87 years old and ask me where it came from only to be told to sit down for a spell because I have a story? I don’t want it. 

So, if you’ve got a Labubu on your desk, a Jellycat on your bed, or a tiny blind-box figurine peeking out of your bag, give it a squeeze. You deserve that moment of joy. In fact, maybe the secret to surviving this cold, chaotic world is exactly that: to keep your heart open, your hands soft, and your eyes on the little things that make you grin.

Because joy doesn’t always come in grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s tiny, soft, and perfectly squishy.