Well maybe not 50 shades, but it made you click, right?
Something known as 'Blue Monday'* is here, and we wanted to provide a bit of fun, thought and uplift.
Colours can really set the mood, and somewhere along the line, colours have been given associations with moods, but are they right? From chatting in our community, we've found that colour and mood association is a deeply personal thing.
Sometimes colours have been anchored with a negative or positive experience, which can explain a mood association.
For example, for many, being in nature is a calming experience, explaining why green is often considered a calming colour.
So, what does Blue mean to you?
As someone who rather likes the colour blue, it's never been a colour I've associated with a low mood. So I guess I'm here to stick up for Blue!
With blue, I think of big Norfolk skies (which I promise, can be blue), I think of the Caribbean sea, I think of things that are crisp, fresh and replenishing.
What would your colour wheel look like?
As we've discussed, it's a really personal thing. We can find it helpful to spend some time thinking about what colours make us feel good and why.
By identifying colours that are beneficial to our mood, we can create or access spaces with that colour. Perhaps buy clothes that make us feel good or maybe create some artwork in that colour.
What would your wheel look like?
In fact, just spending time creating with colour can be very therapeutic, as Bridget (a member of our community and part of our carer support team) shares in her blog 'Leave your inner critic at the door'.
We may also notice what colours are unhelpful and perhaps explore why. For example, there may be a negative association or memory that we could work through and clear.
What colour is today?
Let's notice how we're feeling and if a colour comes to mind. And if today isn't a great day, that's OK. Acknowledge the feelings. And if we can, do one small thing to nourish ourselves. A walk, a bath, a cuppa in our favourite mug.
And remember, feelings can and do change. And some days, we may have a many coloured day!
What's next?
If today isn't a great day, then our online cuppas for unpaid carers are a great place of support and empathy. We'd love to see you there.
You may also like
*Blue Monday, is the name given to what is claimed to be the most depressing day of the year (typically the 3rd Monday in January).