Finding Harmony: Balancing Your Temperament with Colors

A dear friend of mine has been going through some major life changes this past year, including the death of her husband and a significant change in employment. She's been slowly replacing her "stuff" and social media profile with things that are pink. In a class I'm taking, there was mention that people who love certain colors exhibit certain personality traits, and people who hate certain colors may lack certain personality traits. In order to find "life balance" it was recommended that you spend a few minutes examining what colors you like and don't like to find your strengths and weaknesses.

I started giving this some thought. I've always been attracted to bright, neon, bold colors. I have been accused of having bright, neon, bold personality traits. I have decorated numerous condos for my short-term rental business and all of them are over the top with crazy colors and themes. I'll shop all day for themes with crazy fun colors like The Freaky Tiki (blues, teals, browns, and greens) and Boogie Nights (avocado, orange, and gold). While I admire my friends who have an eye for designing and dressing with pastels and petite-ness, I can only spend about 10 minutes looking at classic whites, beiges, and greiges at Pottery Barn before I'm ready to go. An entertainer for nearly two decades, "subtlety" is not my go-to!

Colors have a profound psychological impact on our emotions and behaviors. We’re not just drawn to certain hues because of their aesthetic appeal—we’re often subconsciously attracted to them because they reflect aspects of our temperament or emotional needs. The colors we love and hate can offer a fascinating window into our personalities, revealing both strengths and areas for growth.

In this expanded version of our original blog, we’ll dive deeper into how each color correlates with particular personality traits and how balancing these colors can enhance your emotional and psychological well-being.

**Red: Passion and Energy in Excess**

Red is the color of passion, action, and vitality. If you love red, you may possess high energy, determination, and assertiveness. You might be someone who thrives in competitive environments, takes bold risks, and tends to move through life with urgency and drive.

However, an overabundance of red can lead to restlessness, aggression, or impulsiveness. If you find yourself feeling constantly agitated or quick to anger, it could indicate that you are living in a state of emotional overdrive. Red’s fiery energy may not always be helpful, especially when balance and thoughtfulness are required.

On the flip side, if you dislike red, it might suggest a lack of drive or passion. You may feel disconnected from your sense of purpose or avoid confrontations, leading to missed opportunities. Adding a touch of red to your surroundings or wardrobe could help reignite your motivation and encourage more assertiveness in your life.

**Blue: Calm and Stability (or Lack of It)**

Blue is universally recognized as a calming and stabilizing color. It represents tranquility, trustworthiness, and emotional balance. If blue is your favorite color, it may indicate that you value peace and introspection. You may have a deep desire for harmony in your relationships and a natural ability to remain composed under stress.

However, if you love blue too much, it could signify a retreat into emotional isolation or avoidance. An excessive attachment to blue can indicate a tendency to suppress your emotions or avoid conflict, leaving you feeling emotionally detached or passive.

If you dislike blue, it could be a sign of emotional turbulence or an inability to find peace. You may be experiencing a lot of inner conflict or struggle to manage stress. In this case, integrating blue into your environment—whether through clothing, decor, or even art—could provide the tranquility and emotional balance you need to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

**Yellow: Creativity and Optimism in Moderation**

Yellow is the color of intellect, creativity, and optimism. It encourages clarity of thought and a positive outlook. If yellow is a favorite color of yours, you likely embrace life with a sense of curiosity and a desire to explore new ideas. You may be highly creative, imaginative, and driven by a sense of hope and possibility.

However, an overuse of yellow can lead to excessive optimism that borders on naivety, or even an inability to focus and follow through with plans. When there’s too much yellow, it can result in scattered, restless energy.

If you find yourself averse to yellow, it may point to a lack of creativity or joy in your life. You might be feeling pessimistic, uninspired, or too bogged down by the demands of everyday life. Incorporating some yellow in your space or wardrobe could help uplift your mood, boost your mental clarity, and encourage a more optimistic approach to challenges.

**Green: Balance and Growth**

Green is closely tied to growth, renewal, and balance. It represents a grounded and harmonious energy, symbolizing a deep connection to nature and a focus on personal development. If you love green, it suggests you’re someone who values stability, resilience, and peace. You may also have a deep sense of empathy and a desire to nurture others.

However, if you overindulge in green, it can lead to complacency or stagnation. When green is too dominant, it might indicate that you're too comfortable in your current state and not challenging yourself to grow or take risks. It may also signal a reluctance to embrace change.

If green repels you, it could mean you’re feeling disconnected from your personal growth or struggling to find balance in your life. Perhaps you’ve been neglecting your emotional well-being or haven’t been focusing enough on your long-term goals. Adding more green into your surroundings can help reestablish a sense of harmony and encourage you to slow down and reconnect with your inner self.

**Purple: Spirituality and Intuition**

Purple is often linked to spirituality, intuition, and luxury. It’s a color that inspires creativity and reflection, often used to represent nobility, mystery, and wisdom. If purple is your favorite color, it could reflect a strong connection to your spiritual or intuitive side. You may value introspection and deep thinking, and you may also be drawn to creative or artistic pursuits.

Too much purple, however, can lead to overindulgence in escapism, or a tendency to become too focused on the mystical or intellectual side of life at the expense of practical concerns. If you feel too disconnected from reality or struggle with overly idealistic thoughts, it could be a sign that you need to balance purple with more grounding colors like green or brown.

If you dislike purple, it could indicate that you're not in touch with your spiritual or intuitive side. You might be resistant to exploring your deeper self or feel disconnected from your creativity. In this case, adding hints of purple might help you cultivate more introspection and access your inner wisdom.

**Orange: Enthusiasm and Sociability**

Orange is the color of enthusiasm, sociability, and energy. It is a color that promotes social interaction and a sense of adventure. If you’re drawn to orange, it likely means you are an outgoing, fun-loving person who thrives in social environments and is eager to take on new experiences.

However, too much orange can sometimes create an overwhelming energy that leads to superficiality, overstimulation, or a lack of focus. You might feel pulled in too many directions, leading to burnout. Orange can also create a sense of restlessness if you're not able to channel that energy effectively.

If you hate orange, it could suggest a lack of enthusiasm or fear of social interaction. You might feel disconnected from the excitement of life or struggle to find joy in new experiences. In such cases, gradually adding more orange into your life can help encourage a more playful and optimistic outlook.

**Black and White: The Extremes of Control and Simplicity**

Black and white are often seen as extremes in color, each representing a different emotional and psychological state.

**Black** is associated with authority, power, and sophistication, but it can also symbolize a fear of vulnerability or a desire for control. If you love black, you may be someone who values structure, independence, and self-sufficiency. However, too much black can create an emotionally distant or rigid personality, leaving little room for spontaneity or emotional expression.

**White**, on the other hand, represents purity, clarity, and simplicity. It’s often associated with a fresh start and a blank slate. Loving white might suggest that you value order, cleanliness, and peace. However, an excess of white could lead to a lack of emotional depth or a fear of confronting complexity. White can feel cold or isolating if not balanced with warmer tones.

If you dislike black or white, it could indicate a fear of extremes or a tendency to avoid making decisive choices. You might feel like you're caught in a state of indecision or inner conflict, unable to embrace the power of simplicity that these colors represent.

**The Power of Color Balance in Your Life**

Understanding the relationship between your favorite and least favorite colors can offer profound insights into your temperament. If you’re experiencing an imbalance in your emotional or psychological state, incorporating or reducing certain colors in your environment can help restore harmony.

For example:

- If you’re feeling overly anxious or overwhelmed, try introducing more blues and greens to promote calm and balance.

- If you feel stagnant or complacent, incorporating reds, oranges, or yellows can stimulate your energy and creativity.

- If you crave introspection or spiritual growth, adding touches of purple or white might help you reconnect with your deeper self.

Ultimately, finding balance in your life isn’t just about adjusting your wardrobe or décor—it’s about becoming more mindful of the emotional undercurrents that shape your experiences. Use color as a tool to reflect, nurture, and grow.

Colors have a unique and powerful way of mirroring our inner emotional states. By becoming aware of how different hues affect us, we can better understand the temperament and qualities we either have in excess or are lacking. Balancing our color choices allows us to adjust and harmonize our emotional energies, promoting personal growth and inner peace. So, take a moment to reflect on the colors that speak to you—and consider how they can guide you toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

What colors do you love and why? What colors do you not love and why?