A simple activity known as a "color walk" can transform a routine stroll into an engaging scavenger hunt, encouraging participants to notice their surroundings more intently. This practice involves intentionally seeking out a specific color, which experts say can help individuals tune into their environment and become more present.
Kim Bernard, an artist from Maine, described how focusing on yellow during a walk led her to discover numerous objects in her neighborhood, including a manhole cover, a fire hydrant, and even numbers on a mailbox, all sharing the same hue. This practice, popularized on social media, aims to shift focus away from distractions like podcasts or calorie counting and towards immediate sensory experiences.
Bridget Campbell, a content creator who adopted the color walk concept, found it a way to disengage from constant mental planning and reconnect with her physical surroundings. By giving her mind a specific task—searching for a color—she could quiet the usual mental chatter that often accompanies her walks.
Cheryl Fisher, a licensed clinical professional counselor and associate professor, explained that color walks combat the tendency to "skim-scan-scroll" through life, where people often move through their environment without truly observing it. The act of searching for color provides a concrete reason to look up and engage with what is directly in front of them.
Mari Reisberg, a licensed professional counselor and creativity coach, noted that the color walk offers a low-barrier entry point for those who don't identify as creative. The structure of choosing a color provides a framework for discovery, often leading to the revelation of new details even on familiar routes. "There's so much joy that shows up," she said, highlighting the potential for surprise and delight.
Choosing a color can be approached in various ways. Some opt for their favorite color, while others draw a color from a curated collection of paint swatches. Campbell has also suggested picking a color from one's own clothing or deciding on a color mid-walk based on something observed, such as a vibrant flower. The level of specificity is flexible; one might hunt for nine fuchsia objects or simply focus on the broader category of "green."
Fisher advises against simply checking off found objects and rushing to the next. Instead, she encourages taking a moment to appreciate what has been discovered, emphasizing that the "real gift is sitting with it." The activity can also be a social experience, offering a new topic of conversation for friends or family.
For those who wish to document their findings, taking photos can serve as a memento. Bernard organized a color walk where participants created a grid of their nine favorite images, resembling a colorful patchwork quilt. These collections can be revisited for inspiration. Alternatively, the discoveries can remain personal, a quiet engagement with the world.
Reisberg acknowledges that the practice might feel unusual at first, as adults are not always accustomed to indulging such simple curiosity. She encourages persistence, suggesting that giving the activity more time and opportunity can lead to surprising discoveries and a richer experience of one's surroundings.