I went on a color walk this week. Have you done one yourself? This was my first one. I heard of the concept last week while cleaning and listening to The Today Show as it was on in the other room

The segment was called “Color walks: the new trend of combining exercise and mindfulness”, here’s the link for the full interview https://www.today.com/video/what-are-color-walks-and-what-are-the-wellness-benefits-229954117928

Basically, before you go on a walk you decide on a color and then actively look for that color as you walk. It promotes mindfulness during your walk, you’re more tuned in to your surroundings instead of your head being full of thoughts, or worries, and you focus more on the walk. Some may call it a form of walking meditation.

I found it exhilarating! From the picture above, I hope you could tell my color was Orange. I was pleasantly surprised to see these blooming and brilliant so early in the season. For a second I was overwhelmed with a mix of pure joy at finding them, and wonder at how lovely they are. It was a cathartic reaction I didn’t even know I needed. I resumed my walk hungrily looking to spot the next orange item. It became like a color coded scavenger hunt, full of discovery on a route I’ve walked hundreds of times but now was seeing with new eyes.

The color walk serves to blend exercise with mindfulness, and I enjoy that because I struggle with stationary forms of meditation. Sitting still with myself is frustrating for me (I’m sure there’s a lot that could be said about this 😁) and makes me antsy as I have a really hard time disconnecting from my intrusive reminders and wandering thoughts. Most meditative practices I’ve tried say you should briefly acknowledge the interruptions and then refocus, but I don’t or can’t and almost always feel more unsettled by the end of it . The color walk, in its own way, set an intention for me; the color, and having that focus made me really see my surroundings and enjoy the moment instead of just rushing the walk. My dog was a lot happier for it too 😀.

What do think? Have you tried a color walk? Will you?