Remember when you were a kid and couldn’t WAIT to be an adult?
‘Cause then you could do whatever you wanted! You could have ice cream before lunch, watch TV all day and never do another chore.
I remember telling my mom the only reason I’d EVER clean my house is if Jesus was comin’ to town. Funny, I haven’t seen the Savior, yet I cleaned my house last week.
See, things change as you become an adult. You become responsible, you pay bills, feed yourself and others and clean your house, Holy guest or not.
And that’s all fine and dandy. That’s part of growing up. But it seems like, for many of us, somewhere along the way we lose our lightheartedness. The inner child is suppressed, and all that’s left is the worrying, nagging, serious adult.
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting bored.
As an adult, there are always responsibilities to think about: bills, retirement, savings, groceries, vacuuming, relationships, work. It’s all too easy to set aside the silliness – we just don’t have time for that.
Fair enough…Adult life IS pretty busy. But what if we could strike a balance?
What if we could be responsible adults and still inject our lives with joy and lightheartedness?
Guess what, you guys? WE CAN!
And this is where I introduce to you a little slice of magic:
Whimsical Wednesday.
I’m trying to increase my joy and lightheartedness by sprinkling my days with whimsy. Every few weeks, on a Wednesday, of course, I’ll share one of my fun things with you!
Join me and you could gain:
- More smiling
- Louder laughing
- Unexpected moments of silliness
- Increased creativity
- Decreased stress
- A childlike glimmer in your eye
- A heart that’s eager to find the lighter side of life
And this is just what I’ve found so far. Won’t you join me? Let’s see what else these little bits of whimsy can do for us. 
Are you game? SWEET. Then let’s get started.
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To roll out the red carpet on these Whimsical Wednesdays, I begin with…
WINDOW MARKERS!
You can make your own if you’re crafty, but I prefer to just pop open a cap and go, so Crayola worked for me.
I began with a beautiful quote, one that would get my day off to a fantastic start:
- “If you begin the day with love in your heart, peace in your nerves, and truth in your mind, you not only benefit by their presence but also bring them to others, to family and friends, and to all those whose destiny draws across your path that day.” – Unknown
Ain’t it purdy? It’s a wonderful way to wake up, getting to draw up the shades and seeing this looking back at me.
It’s like one of those inspirational postcards you see all over Facebook. Only way more inspirational, ’cause it’s LIVE…and I’m not tempted to keep scrolling to find the next words of wisdom.
And here it is during the day:
Inspirational, right?
If you’ve got a sharp eye, you might’ve noticed little stick figures on the bottom half…
- O no, walkers!
“Walking Dead,” anyone? The guy and I are kind of obsessed with this show right now, so it’s only natural that I felt the need to draw walkers (zombies) straggling through the cornfield. Thankfully, you can’t really see ‘em at night, or it might be a liiiittle creepy.
[Other "Walking Dead" fans: Do you imagine walkers popping out wherever you drive now? Like - "OMG I bet they'd be under that bridge." It's so weird...]
Anyway…
The beautiful thing about window markers is that you can be as whimsical or as serious as you’d like. If drawing stick figure zombies is too nutty for you, start with your favorite quote or draw out your “Most Important Tasks” for the day.
I know that getting started can be the hardest part, so I’m not gonna leave you hangin’.
Here are some ideas to get you started, from serious to full-blown whimsical:
- Find a quote that inspires you. Write it on a window you’re guaranteed to see every morning.
- Write affirmations – lovely, kind words to yourself that you need to hear.
- Write out your Most Important Tasks. If you wanna go a step further, draw them out.
- Write a love letter to a housemate who needs it…even if that’s yourself.
- Just doodle! Swirls are my fav.
- Add to the background. You don’t have to draw a zombie apocalypse, but spruce up what’s outside your window: add a rainbow, storm clouds, fireworks; or just add to existing objects.
- Write a story and draw pics to go along. This helps if you have a willing partner, but if not, you can do this yourself too. Just start with a sentence: “Three years ago, little Jimmy found an old treehouse…” and the next day, add another line: …”In that treehouse was a tiny door…”
There isn’t too much instruction to this, really, and that’s for a reason. You get enough instruction in your daily life. On Whimsical Wednesdays, I just want you to do whatever you want. Let your inner child run free!
So grab some markers, flip open the cap and go. Wanna draw a butterfly? Go for it! Prefer to start with an affirmation? Nice! Draw whatever your darling heart needs to get out.
Peace, love and a steaming cup of Zen,
Kaylee
p.s. I don’t wanna be responsible for any ruined windows, SO: On the box, it says if you leave them on too long, it may be harder to get the marker off, and it could stain. I’ve had mine up for about 2 weeks, and it’s still coming off easy… But just so y’know.
Too much fun, Kaylee! I think I’m going to invest in some window markers on my next errand run.
Looks like you live in a beautiful area!
And It also looks like I need to check out Walking Dead. I’m pretty sure I’m the only person in America not watching it . . .
Bobbi Emel recently posted..Why suffering is unnecessary
I’m very blessed to live where I do..We’re actually in with a bunch of other townhomes, but we got lucky with ours backing up to a cornfield.
It’s gorgeous!
But yes. You definitely need to check out the show. I normally don’t do shows, but this one is soooo good!! If you end up watching it, lemme know what you think. I hope you enjoy your window markers, too! They’re really so much fun.
Btw, you’re always so quick to comment, Bobbi! Thanks for your endless support. It means a lot to me!
Kaylee recently posted..Whimsical Wednesday: The Joy of Window Markers
Kaylee! Oh, what a great idea! Though windows on all sides face street or neighbors and don’t have the beautiful setting (that reminds me of the ol’ farm with my guy). So, I have a mirror in the bathroom and a chalkboard in the kitchen that I will use for your ideas. Thank you so much. Your quote reminds me exactly of how you are in its entirety. That is what you do here for us. Thank you! Sending my best to you.
Lee Tyler recently posted..An Intro to Procrastination, Neuroscience and Writer’s Block
I’m so glad you like it, Lee! I’m really having a blast with these things. You could still try the windows – *make* the setting beautiful with what you can add! Or just write a “Good morning!” to passerby. Or you can do what’s cool for you, and if that’s the mirror and chalkboard, awesome! I hope you’re having so much fun.
And seriously – you are toooo sweet!! Thank you for your kindness, my friend. I’m so glad that my words can radiate those qualities and the light that I strive to bring here.
Kaylee recently posted..Whimsical Wednesday: The Joy of Window Markers
I’m pleased that, at this point, there’s very little in my life that I think of as “work” or “obligation,” as opposed to “life” or “play,” and I think that’s really affected me physically. When I was in my 20s, in college, I would be really tired usually more than once during the day. Now, that doesn’t really happen to me at all, unless for some reason I neglect to get enough sleep.
But anyway, the point is that, the more I do what I feel like doing with my life, the healthier I become.
I love hearin’ it, Chris! And I can definitely relate. Over the last couple months, I wasn’t really doin’ my thang. I was just spacin’ out on Facebook and not really doing anything cool…and I was so tired, my spark was all fizzled out.
Since getting back into doing what I love, I already feel sooo much better. Healthier. Vibrant, even! Just like what you said.
It’s amazing, the difference purposeful living can make.
Kaylee recently posted..Whimsical Wednesday: The Joy of Window Markers
Love it – Wednesday whimsy is always welcome!!
Thank you!
Glad you liked it! Thanks Terri, for all your support..Best neighbor ever!
Kaylee recently posted..Whimsical Wednesday: The Joy of Window Markers
Hi Kaylee. I love this idea. CJ and I have, within the past few years, shed our old curmudgeon selves and now try to play around as much as possible. Why we were so serious? We are still wondering that ourselves. I guess “life” – jobs, paying the bills, all that you mentioned. Now we automated all that obligatory stuff, so we can dedicate more time to the activities we love.
I usually post stickies on my bathroom mirror, but I love the markers on the window. I am hoping I can find one that will get the blue sky like yours. Beautiful! Thank you!
Thanks for stopping by, Tammy! What do you normally post on your stickies?
I love your and CJ’s story – from serious to sillyhearts; lovely! This screams whimsy to me: (quoted from your “About”): “It’s not a bad idea to have a dart board in your kitchen” – um, awesome! Guess what I’m doin’?
Kaylee recently posted..Whimsical Wednesday: The Joy of Window Markers
Kaylee!
This post has such a fun, energetic, and interesting tone to it. That is certainly one of your strengths! A creative idea – and a fun, fun, read. More of that, please
And your perfect penmanship on those windows. My God, your writing is a font, girl.
And I second the shameful truth that Walking Dead is addictive. Damn.
Good for you. I think I’m going to enjoy Wednesdays here at ZC
Gary Korisko recently posted..Comment on Jumpstart Your Business: Free Airfare Giveaway by Jentylee
Gary!
Thanks for the never-ending encouragement. You da bomb.
I’ll keep the fun coming if you keep reading!
Weird confession: I LOVE writing. Like hand writing things. I do it just for fun at work.. So it’s funny you say that. Thanks!
Kaylee recently posted..Whimsical Wednesday: The Joy of Window Markers
Our kids are allowed to scribble all over our windows at home with those things. And they do – but not half as much as me
Seamus Anthony recently posted..The Trouble With Being A Creative Genius
Nice! I had to smile at the visual of you fighting kids for the markers…
Kaylee recently posted..Whimsical Wednesday: The Joy of Window Markers
This is the first time I’ve been to your blog, and I’m thinking, what have I been missing! This is absolutely fabulous and just the kind of thing I’d do. *Makes mental note to pick up some dry erase markers*
Kim Thirion recently posted..How to Love When It’s the Last Thing You Want to Do (Fight Back With Love Pt 2)
Hey thanks Kim! That’s really sweet.
I’m glad you dig it!
Did you pick up the window markers? I hope you’re having fuuun!
Kaylee recently posted..Whimsical Wednesday: The Joy of Window Markers
I haven’t picked them up yet.. haven’t made it to the store yet. But I’m going to!
I can see me doing this on my bathroom mirror too.
Kim Thirion recently posted..Are You Making These Huge Weight Loss Mistakes?
What an awesome idea Kaylee!!
I love the idea of inspirational window quotes! And my artistic kids would be in heaven if I let them create art on the windows!!
I’ll just be very careful to make sure we don’t use permanent markers. And maybe I’ll give the windows a quick clean first!
The window quotes really are wonderful. I haven’t put a new one up since I washed the last one off, and my mornings are seriously less awesome! Maybe that’s why I’ve been so tired… Need…more…whimsy…!
lol, anywho – A quick wash of the windows helps for sure. I hope you and your kids are enjoying!! (Btw, this just made me think of an unexpected bonus: my windows will stay cleaner ‘cuz I’ll have to actually wash them. Nice!)
Kaylee recently posted..Whimsical Wednesday: The Joy of Window Markers
This is great Kaylee! I could use a mega dose of whimsical.
I ended up reading the entire walking dead plot on wikipedia after watching the first few epsidodes – I got tired of waiting through hours of vid to find out what was gonna happen. I know. Not smart.
Amit Amin recently posted..There’s More to Life Than Happiness – But That Doesn’t Make Wanting It Stupid or Selfish
Glad you liked it, Amit!
Sigh… Why would you do that? The suspense is part of what makes the show awesome! Oh well. Just don’t tell me anything.
Kaylee recently posted..Whimsical Wednesday: The Joy of Window Markers
Someone just told me about this idea, how perfect! I need to get me some of these jobbies soon. Although I think I’m gonna write on my mirror rather than anything else for now. We’ll see! Lovely post, Kaylee.