This post is part 1 of a two-part series where I share my personal insights from wearing black for the entire month of November. In Part 1, I’ll dive into the initial experiences and challenges I faced. Be sure to check out Part 2, where I’ll reflect on the lessons I learned and the unexpected discoveries along the way!
When I set out to spend an entire month wearing, eating, and living in the color black, I had a mix of curiosity and unease. I mentioned it in my first blog post. Black isn’t a color I usually gravitate towards, especially not on a daily basis. I wondered how it would influence my mood, my choices, and my self-perception. Would I grow tired of it quickly? Would it change how I see myself or how others see me? Did I dare immerse myself so fully – head to toe – every single day?
Over the weeks, I discovered that black can be elegant, intriguing, and surprisingly influential in my everyday life. Yet, it can also feel overwhelming, draining, and far removed from my authentic self. While I fully immersed myself in black this month—clothing, some foods, even bedding—I came to see color not just as a visual element, but as a powerful force shaping consumer behavior, emotional well-being, authenticity, and personal growth. Along the way, my excitement for this year-long color project only grew stronger, and I even began to personify colors, imagining them as individuals radiating unique wisdom.
Here are my reflections, gathered from my daily journaling and personal experiences throughout November. I’m including plenty of detail—what I noticed, how I felt, the unexpected ideas that surfaced, and the lessons I learned—so you can follow along with me on this colorful journey.
Observations About Black in My Daily Life
- Immediate Consumer Influence (Day 1):
On the very first day, I realized how powerful black is in steering consumer behavior—mine included! During a grocery and household shopping trip, I found myself picking up black products I’d normally never notice: black toothpaste (with charcoal), black shampoo, black nail polish, black shower gel. Color sells, and it’s not just a trick used on kids or teenagers—adults are equally susceptible. This isn’t breaking news, of course, but experiencing it firsthand was fascinating. I started asking myself: If we know how influential color can be, could we harness it for good? For example, could we use color to encourage kids to make healthier food or lifestyle choices? A topic worth exploring! - Harmony of Colors in Products:
I ´ve always been drawn to products displayed in harmonious color palettes. Choose one color, and it looks lonely; choose them all, and you preserve the beautiful harmony. I can see how companies use this, encouraging us to buy more. - Rediscovering Old Clothes & Practicality:
I chose black as the first color partly because I could start immediately, without having to buy a whole new wardrobe. Over the years, black garments had accumulated in my closet—despite me not wearing them often—and I forgot how many I actually owned. It was kind of fun digging out old pieces that hadn’t seen daylight in ages. Dressing in one single color was also incredibly practical: no need to think about combinations, no mismatching worries. Everything just “worked” together by default. - Unease and Aging Effects (Day 2):
By the second day, I noticed how black made me look older and more tired. It highlighted my under-eye circles and drained the warmth from my face. To feel presentable, I needed stronger makeup. Black overwhelmed my natural features, proving it’s not my best color. When I wore black intentionally – with matching accessories and appropriate makeup – it felt purposeful and sophisticated. However without this deliberate effort, black looked harsh and unflattering. I became clear that black is a color I prefer to wear on special occasions rather than every day. - When Practicality Turns Frustrating (Day 5):
By the fifth day, however, I’d had enough of black. Yes, it simplified my mornings, but looking in the mirror became unbearable. I realized how much I rely on color to brighten my face and mood. Without color, I felt dull and drained. It was so overwhelming that I even questioned wearing black daily for the rest of the month—but I stuck with it. Wearing one color simplifies decisions, but it also narrows self-expression. While I enjoyed the ease of black, I found the monotony stifling. I missed the joy and vibrancy of my usual colors.
- Challenges with Warmth & Going ‘All In’:
In November, it got chilly. I hoped my black jacket would be warm enough for the entire month, but it wasn’t. Twice, I had to grab a deep navy jacket instead—I just couldn’t risk catching a cold. Sometimes, practicality and comfort must come first. I tried black nail polish, something I’d normally never wear. It felt like a stretch, but I embraced it for the sake of the experiment. I even wore black pajamas and slept in black bed linen. Immersion complete! - Feedback from Others:
Friends and family noticed. A good friend who forgot about this project, upon seeing me dressed in black, immediately said, “It’s so unusual to see you wearing black!” My sister also mentioned how strange it was. This external feedback reinforced what I felt internally—black simply isn’t my color or my usual style. - Blending into the Crowd:
Interestingly, when I went out in public, I vanished in the crowd. In Munich, so many people wear dark colors, and most cars are black or dark grey, so I disappeared into the urban backdrop. Black allowed me to blend in effortlessly, a stark contrast to how I normally use color to express my individuality. - Special Occasions (Day 9—My Birthday):
On my birthday, I made an exception to my growing frustration. I wore a very festive black sequin dress, and I loved it. The sequins added sparkle, turning a normally draining color into something glamorous. That day, everything flowed—I enjoyed the best truffle pasta and pizza of my life. Truffles, my favorite black food, fit perfectly into the theme. Black can be elegant and festive in the right context—just not as my daily uniform. - Struggling with Black Foods & Future Plans:
Incorporating black foods every day wasn’t easy. I sprinkled black sesame seeds here and there, ate beluga lentils, rice, olives—whatever I could find. But it’s not like I had an endless array of black foods available. I even tried to find Black Sapote (a fruit that’s said to taste like chocolate pudding), but it’s incredibly rare. I’m on a waiting list at an exotic fruit dealer, though the odds are slim. Wish me luck! - A Teaser of Red:
For my birthday, I received several red clothing items wrapped in black paper, a symbolic passing of the baton to next month’s color. Trying on the red clothes felt like an energy rush—such a relief after days of black. I wasn’t sure if I was genuinely excited for red or simply desperate to escape the blacks monotony. Either way, it felt amazing.
Emotional and Psychological Effects of Black
- Color and Joy:
I came across an idea that happy people can wear black because they carry their joy inside. That made me pause and reflect: perhaps I rely on color to help me find joy. Colors help me feel more alive. For me, color is a tool for self-expression and emotional well-being. - Draining, Yet Internally Uplifting:
Mentally, black took its toll. It accentuated my tiredness and made me look older. But while black didn’t flatter me, my enthusiasm for the overall project never waned. I had so many ideas and was bursting with creative energy. The contradiction was striking: on the outside, I looked dull and drained, but inside I felt inspired and pumped. I just needed more sleep and better organization to manage the flood of ideas! - The Power of Inner Attitude:
A long phone call with my cousin showed me that my excitement was contagious. Despite my grumpy feelings about black’s visual effect, my cousin picked up on my passion for this project. This proved something important: what we feel inside can shine through, regardless of what we wear. If you feel genuinely good, purposeful, and enthusiastic about something, a color—no matter how unflattering—can’t completely dampen that inner glow. - Craving Colorful Environments:
Stepping into a colorful Italian restaurant after weeks of black was like an explosion of energy for my eyes and soul. I appreciated those vibrant hues so intensely. It confirmed that I rely on color to bring me joy and vitality. While I can endure black for a while, I thrive in a world of color. - Thoughts vs. Color:
Throughout the month, I realized that while color can influence our mood significantly, our internal mindset is more powerful. If you feel good, purposeful, and genuinely engaged in what you’re doing, the absence (or presence) of a particular color won’t break you. That said, color can certainly enhance or elevate our emotions. It’s like a helpful ally, but not the leader, in our emotional world.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll explore the final insights and takeaways from my month in black!
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