What started as skepticism about yet another social media walking trend quickly transformed into a surprisingly effective mental health practice. Color walking, the latest wellness craze that originated on TikTok in 2021, involves choosing a specific color before heading out for a walk and then focusing entirely on spotting that color in your surroundings. Despite initial doubts, this deceptively simple exercise proved to be exactly the mental reset I needed during a particularly stressful period.
The concept behind color walking couldn't be more straightforward – no special equipment, subscription services, or complicated breathing patterns required. You simply pick a color, head outside, and spend your walking time actively noticing that color in everything around you. While the trend gained popularity on social media platforms, the practice has actually existed in various forms for decades. Writer William Burroughs poetically referred to it as "walking on colours," which certainly sounds more sophisticated than admitting you're following a TikTok trend.
As someone who has tried and failed with numerous mindfulness practices, from meditation apps promising enlightenment to breathing exercises that only increased my stress levels, I approached color walking with considerable skepticism. Previous attempts at wellness trends, including silent walking that made me hyper-aware of my nasal breathing, had left me doubtful about the effectiveness of such simple solutions. However, after being ill and finding my mind in a frazzled state despite physical recovery, I was willing to try anything that might help me feel less like a tightly wound spring.
Choosing blue as my focus color – avoiding green as it seemed too easy – I set out without phone notifications, podcasts, or any agenda beyond finding blue objects. Within minutes, I found myself genuinely absorbed in the task. Beyond the obvious blue sky, I began noticing details I had walked past countless times without seeing: forget-me-nots nestled against a garden wall, the vivid blue of a recycling bin, someone's turquoise front door, and the way a discarded plastic bag caught the light.
The most remarkable aspect of the experience was how it completely occupied my mental space. Instead of counting steps, mentally rehearsing difficult conversations, or planning dinner, I was simply thinking about blue. This singular focus resulted in a slower walking pace, increased awareness of my surroundings, and a genuinely lighter feeling in both body and mind by the time I returned home. The practice has become a week-long habit, with different colors chosen each time, and the enjoyment continues.
The science behind color walking's effectiveness lies in its combination of physical movement, which releases endorphins, with focused attention that keeps the mind anchored in the present moment. Essentially, it functions as a moving meditation designed for people who find sitting still frustratingly restrictive. Each color choice brought unexpected discoveries: yellow created joy through everything from dandelions to crisp packets, red revealed the surprising vibrancy of a supposedly boring neighborhood, and even experimenting with grey uncovered subtle variations previously unappreciated.
The biggest revelation from this experiment was that expensive classes or complicated techniques aren't necessary to achieve a sense of calm. Sometimes the most effective practices are the simplest ones, even if they do originate from social media platforms. Color walking proved that mindfulness doesn't require special training or equipment – just an open mind and willingness to see familiar surroundings through a focused lens. This accessible approach to mental wellness offers hope for anyone seeking a practical way to find peace in their daily routine.
