Week 28

Colour seems to be a resounding theme in my blogs. If the sun comes out in the Uk and we have a heatwave that is when people throw their uniform of jeans and jumpers and T-shirts out. Suddenly people are more varied and colourful in their attire, which is also reflected in how they behave. People are cheerful, and there is a real party atmosphere.

So clothes reflect how we feel too. I always notice when I go to London, the standard attire of black interspersed occasionally by colour. We all know that standard etiquette on tubes is to not make eye contact or smile. I always think that people are either miserable or rude. What a difference a bit of colour and a smile makes to the world.

Which brings me on to clothes and mental health. A few years ago I was in a very dark place for a couple of months. Then I didn’t care what I wore, just tracky bottoms and jumpers and nothing colourful as I didn’t want to be noticed by anyone, reflecting my mood of the time. On the occasions I did go out, I avoided meeting with anyone I knew until I was able to face life again and return to the world of colour.

Last week a lovely friend who also loves colour and refuses to blend in, insisted on giving me a dress she had bought from a charity shop.