Some days, the work of recovery feels like tending a garden. There’s pruning, watering, composting what’s no longer alive. And some days? You have to lie down right in the dirt and laugh.
We talk a lot about shadow work, inner child work, trauma healing, nervous system repair — all good and necessary. But I want to talk about the sacred work of whimsy. The part of recovery that giggles. The part that loves glitter and nonsense, that collects salt and pepper shakers shaped like penguins, and arranges them like an audience on your kitchen shelf. The part that finds holiness in ridiculous joy.
I’ve been listening to Good Hang with Amy Poehler, and every episode she asks her guest: What are you reading, watching, or doing that brings you joy? It’s such an important question. Because joy — especially playful, light-hearted joy — is often the first thing to go when we’re numbing out, and one of the hardest things to reclaim when we start living awake again. Whimsy isn’t frivolous. It’s a spiritual practice that keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously. A reminder that recovery isn’t about perfecting, but about playing again.
Whimsical Practices to Try
- Build a fairy house in the woods and leave a tiny note for whoever finds it.
- Make a friendship bracelet with your word for the season and wear it until it falls off.
- Keep a “Joy Journal” of small, silly moments that made you smile.
- Read a children’s book aloud, just to yourself.
- Paint rocks and hide them in your neighborhood.
- Spend a day noticing faces in clouds, trees, and sidewalk cracks.
- Dance to the cheesiest pop song you can find, in your kitchen, with full commitment.
- Make a mocktail named after your favorite emotion (bonus points for edible glitter).
- Start your own “absurd collection” — thrift store figurines, tiny spoons, vintage postcards, or anything that delights you for no reason.
Whimsical Inspiration
- Good Hang with Amy Poehler — joyful conversations about creativity, friendship, and the small things that keep us human.
- David Zinn (@davidzinn) — sidewalk chalk artist whose imaginary creatures live between cracks in the pavement.
- Sarah Shakeel – digital “artrepreneur” whose use of crystals and sequins will knock your socks off.
- Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy (Sarasota, FL) — a celebration of eccentric beauty, found objects, and unabashed delight.
- The Book of Delights by Ross Gay — small essays that remind us attention is a form of love.
- Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles (2020) — a documentary that turns pastry into poetry and reminds us that beauty feeds the spirit, too.
- This Specific Instagram Post— where the comments section is filled with what people do to add more whimsy to their lives.
- Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms — where childlike wonder and cosmic mystery meet.
- Andy Goldsworthy — the artist who builds fleeting sculptures of leaves, ice, and light — a perfect lesson in impermanence and joy.
- Andrea Nelson Art— making watercolor easy for everyone
- Beecorns by David Bird— little acorn people and the birds and animals they interact with
Recovery invites us back to the possibility of delight as proof that healing is working. Whimsy says: life can be both deep and light. We can grieve and laugh. We can pray and play. We can be sober and still absolutely full of wonder.
THIRSTY FOR WONDER: at The Sober Curator, led by Anne Marie Cribben—a passionate recovery coach and spiritual companion based in Washington, DC—offers 1:1 coaching, spiritual guidance, and recovery support rooted in compassion and empowerment. As the creator of The Wellspring: A Celtic Recovery Journey, Anne Marie blends the Celtic calendar with sobriety, connecting participants to ancient wisdom and the rhythms of nature.
A fierce advocate for sobriety as liberation and self-love, she challenges the targeted marketing of alcohol to women and champions authentic, joyful living. Her work goes beyond addiction recovery, fostering a life of vibrancy, purpose, and connection.
CURATED CRAFTS at The Sober Curator is all about keeping your hands busy and your mind inspired in sobriety. Whether you’re diving into art therapy, channeling your inner Sober Picasso, or laughing your way through a Pinterest fail, creative expression can be a powerful tool for stress relief and emotional healing. Crafting isn’t about perfection—it’s about expanding your mind, expressing your feelings, and having fun along the way.
Follow our latest DIY inspiration on Pinterest, or, if crafting isn’t your thing, check out our #QUITLIT section for book recommendations that feed the soul. You can also shop our curated list of supplies on our Amazon Storefront.
PLAY IT AGAIN is The Sober Curator’s curated playlist of sobriety anthems—songs that capture the essence of recovery journeys and lift the spirit. From timeless classics to modern hits, these tracks inspire, heal, and motivate, no matter what genre of choice. Each song is handpicked for its power to transport you to another state of mind and remind you why living alcohol-free rocks.
Got a favorite sobriety theme song? We want to hear it! Send your picks to thesobercurator@gmail.com and help us keep the playlist growing.
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