For my free inquiry project, I want to explore the idea of whimsy and what it means to bring more of it into adult life.  As I’ve grown older, life has become increasingly focused on responsibilities, productivity, school, work, and being “serious.” I think somewhere along the way, many adults lose some of the curiosity, silliness, creativity, and sense of wonder that used to come naturally. When I was younger a consistent thought I had was “what happen to these grown ups why are they so boring” I now understand that there are many factors that “turn adults boring” but I still don’t want my future kids and students to have this thought about me, and as school beings to ramp up I can feel that my productivity and adult responsibilities are at the forefront of my life while my whimsy is taking a back seat. My inquiry project is based on a simple question: What happens if I intentionally made more room for whimsy in my everyday life?

Throughout this project, I want to experiment with different ways of bringing whimsy into my own life and encouraging others around me to do the same. This could include trying things that are playful or unexpected, creating things just for fun, exploring new places, dressing up, having themed gatherings, spending time outside, playing games, or simply finding ways to make ordinary experiences feel more special. I want to document these experiences and reflect on how they affect my mood, creativity, relationships, and overall experience of everyday life. I also want to talk to other people about what whimsy means to them and to look into the why of their missing whimsy.

I see this project as an opportunity to become a better adult, not by becoming more productive or responsible, but by learning how to create a better balance between responsibility and enjoyment. Being an adult does not have to mean giving up playfulness and curiosity. I want to explore whether allowing myself to be silly, creative, and curious can help me approach life with more joy.

This inquiry also connects strongly to the kind of teacher I want to become. Children naturally find wonder in everyday things, and I want to be a teacher who protects and encourages that sense of curiosity rather than teaching students that learning always has to be serious. Exploring whimsy in my own life may help me better understand the importance of play, creativity, movement, curiosity, and joy in learning. If I want to create a classroom where students feel comfortable being curious, taking risks, and being themselves, I think I also need to practice those qualities in my own life.

Ultimately, this project is about giving myself and hopefully other adults permission to be a little more playful and take time out of their day to do so. I want to see if bringing small moments of whimsy back into everyday life can make adulthood feel more creative, connected, and enjoyable, while also helping me understand how I can bring those same qualities into my future classroom.