Color Likes and Dislikes-What Our Preferences Mean

Do you like blue a lot? Or maybe you absolutely hate blue, but adore red. Or maybe - especially if you're a female under the age of 10 - everything you own has to be pink.

Or maybe purple.

When it comes to color, some of us have very strong likes and dislikes. Others are more easygoing. But we all have preferences - some colors we like better than others.

Our color preferences, though, aren't written in stone; they can and do change. And it can be very unsettling when that happens.

Why do we prefer certain colors over others? And what makes those preferences change?

Origins of color likes and dislikes
Past experiences have a lot to do with we like or dislike certain colors. A positive memory, like a doting grandmother who always wore blue, may produce feelings of being cared for and nurtured. As a result, the color blue may evoke the same feelings. On the other hand, a memory of an extremely critical teacher or supervisor who liked to wear red may cause us to avoid that color - unless we're trying to act the same way.

Color preferences do tend to be instinctive. If you're wondering why you surround yourself with some colors while avoiding others, think back to some of the happiest - and unhappiest - times in your life. You may find those times associated with a color you really love - or really hate.

Why our preferences change
Color is light, and is therefore energy. Some people who study color believe that, like food cravings, a color preference may indicate a need for something we're missing - a quality that color represents. For example, a person who's always liked red but is now drawn to blue may be going through a time in their life when they need to be more of a "team player" and less of a leader at work. Or perhaps they've been overdoing things and need to relax a bit.

We all have turning points - times when our lives go in a different direction, literally or figuratively. Graduations, marriages, and job changes, for example, are usually expected times of change. But events can also be unpredictable - like a job change due to a layoff. During these times we may need a different kind of energy to help us cope. And this need may show itself in a sudden desire for a color we were never that interested in before.

What to do when color preferences change
If you're going through a major life change and suddenly find yourself attracted to a different color, it's probably because you need the energy that color provides. For example, if you're suddenly drawn to the color pink, you may need some extra nurturing; if it's purple you like, it may be time to follow your intuition.

If you don't have any of that color at home or in your wardrobe, now may be a good time to add some. You don't have to overdo it; just try adding one or two items in the "new" color. This change in preference may be temporary; it could be that once the transition period is over, you'll return to the colors you always liked before.

Or you may find that you'll always want that color around you. In that case, just enjoy it. You've broadened your horizons a bit, and taken a step toward becoming a more balanced person.