I love the fall colors.
Growing up in Colorado, fall was always my favorite time of year. The colors were so vivid, and the air was crisp. My favorite color has always been red.
What’s your favorite color? According to psychologist who study color — yes there are psychologists who actually study colors — colors we prefer tell us a lot about our personalities, our moods, our emotions, our characteristics and how we deal with life.
We all liked those boxes of Crayola Crayons growing up. We had our favorites from those boxes. Moreover, we tend to gravitate toward our favorite colors when it comes to our clothes, and home decor.
So, what does your favorite color say about you?
Let’s look at a few.
A recent study of people across ten countries and four continents found blue was the world’s most popular color. It’s more than likely because, in our world, we are immersed by blue in the water and sky. Blue also “evokes feelings of relaxation and tranquility,” according to Lisa Lawless, PhD. Additionally, blue signifies to others that you are trustworthy. Many businesses and banks incorporate blue for this very reason. If you like light blues you are “easygoing and a peaceful individual,” according to Lawless, and “cobalt blue coveys a vibrant, energetic personality.”
If your favorite color is green, you “tend to be productive driven, intelligent and perfectionistic,” according to psychologist Michele Goldman. Emerald green is also associated with confidence, and ambition, mint green with kindness, optimism and gentleness. Have you heard the term, “green with envy?”
Goldman says the “hardworking and analytical personalities of persons who prefer green can also make them possessive, impatient and materialistic.”
If you prefer purple, you are bold, artistic, spiritual and imaginative. Lighter purples, like lavender, are associated with “sensitivity, compassion, and harmony”, says Lawless. Goldman points out because those who prefer purple feel things deeply, they can be “moody and feelings of being misunderstood.”
If your favorite color is pink, you are tender and compassionate.
Light pinks are associated with a “sweet, playful, youthful personality, while deeper pinks are associated elegance and romance,” according to Lawless. Hot pink suggests “vibrance and energy, while those drawn to magenta are often creative, and un-conventual,” suggests Goldman.
People who like the color red are “bold, strong, passionate, and often extroverted. They are a force to be reckoned with” says Lawless. Goldman points out all this attention seeking behavior “can manifest in aggression.”
If you like the color orange, you are enthusiastic, engaging and social. Individuals with this color preference tend to be adventitious, daring, approachable and friendly toward others,” says Goldman.
Yellow is a mentally stimulating color, “people who are drawn to yellow tend to be imaginative, social and enthusiastic. It is, after all, the color of light and happiness,” says Lawless.
Golden hues and those who gravitate toward them are “wise, intelligent and like luxury.” Goldman suggests yellow represents charm, confidence and a sense of humor.
“But, people who lean towards yellow personalities may struggle with anxiety and perfectionism,” she says.
Our brains are wired to respond to colors because 80% of our information about the world comes through our visual sense. So, whatever your favorite color is, it reflects who you are and your personality.
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Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare. He can be reached at drstride@icloud.com.
