Tag: tiktok

Whimsy Is In: Why Everyone’s Googling How to Be More Playful

If one of your 2026 resolutions is to loosen up and just have more fun, you picked a good year for it. According to Google, the internet is having a full-blown whimsy moment.

Searches for the word whimsy are at an all-time high, with phrases like “year of whimsy,” “whimsy goals,” and “how to add more whimsy to your life” climbing the charts.

What is “whimsy”?

The official definition? “Behavior that is unusual, playful, and unpredictable, rather than having any serious reason or purpose behind it.” Translation: doing stuff just because it sparks joy, not because it’s productive.

Social media is feeling very whimsical

TikTok and Instagram are bursting with creators and influencers showing off their most whimsical selves – think cottagecore aesthetics, bubble machines, skipping stones, and painting for no reason other than “it felt right.” One influencer described the lifestyle as a blend of “dilly-dallying” and “farting around.” If that’s not a vibe for 2026, what is?

Why is doing things on a whim so attractive?

The trend seems to be tapping into a broader cultural shift toward more analog living. People are actively spending less time online and more time doing real-life things that aren’t optimized for views or monetized. Whimsy is now being linked to slow living, mindfulness, and just letting yourself be a little weird on purpose.

It’s also giving serious “Word of the Year” energy. “The Huffington Post” is already predicting whimsy could take the crown. And honestly, after years of hustle culture and digital burnout, it makes sense that we’d swing in the opposite direction and romanticize things like twirling in a field or crafting with glitter.

So if you’re feeling the pull to embrace your inner child, go ahead and buy that kite, bake those rainbow cupcakes, or write a haiku about your cat. Whimsy isn’t about results – it’s about the random, delightful detours that make life more fun to live.

Call it silly. Call it impractical. But in 2026, whimsy might just be the sanest trend out there.

@katafairy

2026 is the year of whimsy 🌟🧚🩷 we are bringing back analogue and all the joy and playfulness this year 🙂 welcome to my 2026 ins and outs…and follow for pt 2 with the outs! 🫶 i wanna know how you are adding whimsy to your life in 2026!!! #analog #whimsy #whimsical #2026 #personalgrowth

♬ pretty isnt pretty speed up – lauren

No, TikTok… We’re Not Putting Toilet Paper in Our Fridge

TikTok has given us some decent life hacks – like how to fold a fitted sheet without crying, or make perfect eggs in a coffee mug. But then there are the “hacks” that make you question whether we, as a species, deserve Wi-Fi.

Case in point: TikTok wants you to put a roll of toilet paper in the fridge. Yes, toilet paper just chilling next to your leftover lasagna like it belongs there.

Why some people claim it makes sense

The idea, if you can call it that, is that toilet paper absorbs moisture and odors. Which is true—in the same way a sponge soaks up water until it turns into a gross blob of wetness teeming with bacteria.

Sure, your TP might soak up some fridge funk… for like a day. But in practice, it will quickly turn into a damp roll of wood pulp that’s just hanging out next to your vegetables.

Why it doesn’t really make sense

In reality, it’s the kind of “hack” that sounds like it came from someone who ran out of actual ideas but had one roll of toilet paper and a social media account. Experts say it might sort of work for a minute if you’re truly desperate. But they also say – and this is a direct quote from Common Sense 101 – just use baking soda.

Baking soda is still the obvious choice

A box of baking soda costs like a buck, which is a little more than a roll of TP. But unlike that soon-to-be-wad-of-wet-paper, it works for months and won’t turn into a moldy mess.

It’s not trendy. It’s not cute. But there’s a reason why it’s been the go-to for decades – it gets the job done without confusing your house guests. If you saw a roll of toilet paper hanging out in your friend’s fridge, you’d probably think they had a screw loose – and rightly so. Or, maybe their hemorrhoids required their TP to be a chilly 38 degrees.

So yeah, not much of a “hack”

Unless you’re trying to prank your roommates or create the saddest crossover between bathroom supplies and perishables, maybe skip this one. Or at least put a sticky note on the fridge that says “Not for use – TikTok made me do it.”

In summary: Baking soda = science. Toilet paper in the fridge = social media at its weirdest. Choose wisely.

@smartfoxlifehacks

This is a secret Trick from Hotels… 😱🦊 #lifehack #tipsandtricks #cleaningtricks #cleaninghacks

♬ original sound – Smart Fox Lifehacks

Red Wine and Ice Cream Sounds Good (But Is It?)

Is vanilla ice cream topped with red wine really every desperate mom’s new favorite treat?

I’m a strong proponent of “don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” So, I’ll reserve judgement until the next time I have a half-pint of ice cream in the fridge and a half-bottle of zin on the counter.

That said, this recent review from TikTok has me thinking that in this case, the whole may not be greater than the sum of its parts. 🤮

@barreldork

🍷🍦… This might be a career low point. #wine #winetime #winelovers #winecocktails #redwinelover

♬ original sound – Barrel Dork

Plenty of others claim it’s amazing. 🤩 But the question as always with wannabe influencers is… are they dirty liars just doing it for the clicks.

@jennandshae

♬ Intimidated (feat. H.E.R.) – KAYTRANADA

Is Kevin James Secretly Moonlighting as a TikTok Art Teacher?

Everyone is collectively squinting at their screens right now, because there’s a guy on TikTok who looks EXACTLY like Kevin James . . . and not in the “my friend says I look like Chris Pratt if you tilt your head” kind of way.

This art teacher, named Matt Taylor, could walk into a “King of Queens” reboot tomorrow and no one would blink.

Matt’s first TikTok dropped on the 15th, and since then he’s posted a few more, each one making the mystery even juicier. The voice? Spot-on. The delivery? Uncannily Kevin James-ish. He’s even got an Instagram, but here’s where it gets weird: he only follows one person: Ed Sheeran. Because… why not, right?

Naturally, fans have theories.

Maybe Matt Taylor is just a regular art teacher with an unfortunate (or very fortunate) case of celebrity doppelgänger face. But others think there’s something more Hollywood happening here.

Why? Because Kevin James just so happens to have a new movie coming out in February called “Solo Mio”. And, you guessed it, he plays a guy named Matt. In the movie, his character gets left at the altar in Rome and decides to go on his honeymoon alone, discovering himself and Italy in the process. No mention of teaching art, though, unless painting landscapes counts.

So is TikTok’s Matt Taylor actually Kevin James in disguise, doing a little viral marketing before the movie drops? The timing feels too perfect. But until someone catches both men in the same frame, the debate lives on.

One thing’s for sure: if this is Kevin, he’s pulling off the most wholesome celebrity undercover act. And if it’s not? Well, give that art teacher an agent.

(You can check out all of Matt Taylor’s TikToks here and decide for yourself.)

Pumpkin Spice Just Got Literal

Fall lovers have officially gone too far with all this pumpkin nonsense.

There’s a new trend where people are taking actual mini pumpkins to Starbucks and asking baristas to fill them with their favorite drink. Because apparently, a pumpkin spice latte inside a real pumpkin is peak autumn. (Or peak social media engagement!)

The logic is simple: Starbucks lets you bring your own cup, so why not make it seasonal?

The execution, however, is… bumpy.

Videos online show mixed reactions. Some baristas are totally game… snapping photos, cheering on the chaos, fully embracing the pumpkin mug life. Others? Not so much. Those folks smirk, and politely hand over a regular cup as usual… and let customers do the pour themselves for the ‘gram.

A few Starbucks employees have warned that it slows down the line, and some mentioned food safety rules that say they’re technically not supposed to touch the pumpkins, or any sort of outside food.

Starbucks hasn’t issued any official policy, but if you want to try it, it’s best to ask nicely and be ready for a “no.”

At worst, you’ll walk away with your drink in a normal cup. At best, you’ll get that perfect “fall girlie” moment that screams, I spent $7 and carved produce for this post.

Just don’t expect the pumpkin to add much flavor. It’s purely for vibes. But hey, if you’re already standing in line in a flannel and boots, you might as well commit.

@cynthiaa.sarahi

Starbucks Pumpkin Drink! 🍂☕️ @Starbucks #starbucksdrinks #starbuckspumpkindrinks #starbucksbarista #fyp #fall

♬ original sound – whimsigothiic

Place Your Bets: Bob Ross vs. Mr. Rogers

A.I. videos of unlikely wrestling match-ups are TikTok’s new obsession.

Sure, Bob Ross was in the Air Force for two decades, so maybe you’re money’s on him. But Mr. Rogers could be surprisingly scrappy.

Who ya got?

@kursed_wrestling

Bob Ross vs Mr. Rogers Match Highlights #bobross #sora #mrrogers #wwe #wrestling

♬ Bob Ross vs Mr Rogers Highlights – KursedWrestling

Such a shame… a few happy little clouds could have made for a beautiful day in the neighborhood if they could have teamed up.

Five TikTok Creators We Love Right Now

TikTok is overflowing with talent, laughs, and adventure – but sometimes your algorithm fails you, and it’s hard to know where to start scrolling.

We’ve rounded up five of our favorite accounts that deliver everything from jaw-dropping acrobatics to hilarious comedy and even someone from the future?? Here’s who should be on your For You Page right now.

Bransen Gates (@bransennn)

This NYC-based actor and “Oscar-winning lip-syncer” is a great follow. He delivers high-energy, theatrical shorts that’ll have you smiling before you even hit pause. From Broadway vibes to buzzy duets, every clip feels like a mini-show.

@bransennn

Posting the full compilation (including the one that was removed from this app) — and there’s plenty more where that came from 😘 [Please watch until the end so I can finally make some coin]

♬ original sound – Bransen Gates

Jacob Acrobat (@jacob_acrobat)

This creator blends circus-level moves with jaw-dropping visuals. Each video is a gravity-defying spectacle—parkour, flips, and “how’d he do that?” He’s also funny.

@jacob_acrobat

I should stop looking.

♬ Misty – Sarah Vaughan

Garron Noone (@garron_music)

Meet Garron: Irish musician, comedian, and superstar. He’s one of the most hilarious people on the internet. And with the best tagline… “Follow me, I’m delicious.”

@garron_music

♬ original sound – Garron Noone

Nova Machina (@novamachinatransmissions)

The TikTok account that raises more questions than answers, transmitting “music and messages from a future on the edge of collapse.” Apparently, the future is as dystopian as our current pace suggests – and they love hard rock there. “This isn’t just music. It’s resistance.”

@novamachinatransmissions

#NovaMachinaStory #ViktorRavenSpeaks #RockIsRisen #TransmissionFromTheFuture #ResistEchelonVire #TheTruth #TikTokSeries #Storytime #HybridRebellion #MusicIsResistance #UndergroundMusic #AIWarning #FightTheFuture

♬ original sound – Nova Machina

Natasha Travels (@theworldpursuit)

Natasha is the travel-inspo queen, especially for solo female adventurers. Her feed balances stunning locales with real, practical tips. From snowboarding the Rockies to solo trips in Antarctica, Natasha’s energy feels like a best friend inviting you along.

@theworldpursuit

They just kept COMING #Elephant #safari #africa #zimbabwe #hwange

♬ الصوت الأصلي – انمار جاكسون

Everyone Is Doing It: “The Great Lock-In”

You know that thing where you decide you’re going to “make a big healthy change,” but then you purposely stall until January 1st so you can call it a New Year’s Resolution? And then, like clockwork, you bail on it three weeks later, usually right after you buy the yoga mat, but before you ever take the tags off?

Well, good news: now you don’t have to wait until January to disappoint yourself!

There’s a new trend on TikTok called “The Great Lock-In.”

The premise: pick a goal now, and commit to it through the end of 2025. Basically, it’s like New Year’s Resolutions, but with less champagne and more “why did I agree to this?” energy.

It doesn’t even have to be fitness. You can lock in on literally anything: some side-project at work, reading more, finally learning how to cook something besides pasta, or just promising yourself you’ll delete DoorDash for at least one week.

And of course, people are posting their Lock-Ins on social media… because in 2025, if you don’t announce your personal growth online, does it even count?

If this all sounds familiar, that’s because it is. People are already pointing out it’s basically a reboot of last year’s “Winter Arc”, or “75 Hard”, or every other challenge where you go too hard for a few weeks and then reward yourself with tacos.

But hey… maybe that’s the point. Why fail in January when you can fail right now? At least you’ll be ahead of schedule.

Butter Candles Are Back, and They’re Still Weird

Just when you thought TikTok had finally moved on to new ways of wasting food for visual presentation, the butter candle trend has returned. Yes, the internet is once again telling us to freeze a stick of butter with a wick in it, jam it into a loaf of bread, light it on fire, and call it “entertaining.”

It is what it sounds like: You cut a hole in a sourdough loaf, drop in your frozen butter candle, light it, and watch the butter drip down onto your bread like some kind of greasy, dairy-based volcano. Supposedly it’s “fancy” for dinner parties. In reality, it’s just one wick away from setting off your smoke alarm.

Couple quick pro tips, because people always freak out about this:

  • You need a food-grade wick… the kind made from things like hemp coated in beeswax. You can grab them on Amazon. And no, you’re not supposed to chew on the wick like it’s beef jerky.
  • Despite looking amazing on TikTok, the eating part is… underwhelming. Think less “classy charcuterie experience” and more “your bread is crying butter tears all over the table.”

Naturally, the comments are better than the trend itself. One person said, “Maybe I’ll try this instead of drugs.” Another added, “You never know what someone’s doing in their house, bruh.” (Imagine explaining to your neighbors why your kitchen smells like scorched bread and melted Land O’Lakes.)

So if you’re looking for a fall centerpiece that’s equal parts quirky, messy, and vaguely heart-clogging, the butter candle is back on the menu. Just don’t be shocked when your guests say, “Cool… so do you also have chips and salsa?”

(If you’re still not getting it, here’s a video of this “butter candle.” And here’s a recipe to make it.)

@erin_dittmer

🧈🕯️#tistheseason #butterclub

♬ original sound – whimsigothiic
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