Two Forth Valley College Department Administrators have come up with a bright idea to encourage colleagues to join them in wearing colourful clothes to work on a Tuesday.
Karolina Drabinska and June Duvall, who are based at the Falkirk Campus, have in the space of just a few weeks, created a dedicated small team of workmates who are happy to wear a full outfit, a pair of socks or even just a belt of the designated colour for that week.
Learner Development Worker Wendy Kellock, Gym Assistant Kasia Slapek and Construction and STEM Lecturer Kevin McLaren, regularly join Karolina and June to brighten up everyone’s day.
According to Karolina, June and this article, “colour is good for the soul” and there are several good reasons to wear bright colours. Here are some below:
- Colours make you more approachable
- Colour immediately brightens you mood
- Colour brings cheerfulness and happiness to others
- Colour sends a message
- Colour can improve you performance at work
- Colour can bring people closer and motivate others
- Colour is a great conversation starter
- Colour is fun
Karolina, explains how she developed the idea: “Not long ago I was doing a clear out in my closet. I noticed I don’t own many neutral colours in my wardrobe, even my jeans are pink! But I realise that wearing colours is not always easy. It makes you stand out, makes you visible, but also makes you happy. Yes I believe in it.
“Colours affect our mood, and the mood of others too. I hear from some that they do not know how to wear colours or they feel too noticeable. But is this actually bad to be seen through a colour you wear rather than a blank identity work card with your name?
“Those who know me, can tell I wear colours often. Recently June and myself came to work wearing identical shades of pink. Then we did the same with burgundy colour and yellow. And guess what, that was not only funny or bizarre as June doesn’t even wear pink. Must be my influence ha ha!
“But it made people approach us, notice the colour and engage in the conversation. People felt chattier and more cheerful noticing the colours. We started a little project for mental health and wellbeing to see if we could encourage more people to wear them, and we have already managed to create a small team who loves colours.
“Every week we decide on the colour we are going to wear, get the message out and take a picture of several people wearing their colour coordinated clothing and then post on our group on Teams. It really brighten our day, but not just ours. Those who have noticed the colours have also engaged and had a more uplifted mood. Colours matter not just for those who wear them but also for those who are around them.
We will be letting more colleagues know of our weekly colour and hopefully we can persuade them to engage with our little project and introduce more colours to their wardrobes and brighten up our lovely workplace. Step out of you comfort zone and wear more colour!”
Next Tuesday 28 March, Karolina and June are asking colleagues to wear something blue. Check out some of the colours that have already been chosen over the last few weeks in the photo gallery below!
