feeling yellow so this is what i read, bought and drank
my take on the color and what it means for me this year
For as long as I could remember, the color yellow had a negative connotation.
It started during a time when I was a student teacher observing a class. The teacher told his room full seventh graders that he hated the color because it was the color of cowardice. Because I was observing multiple class periods taught by the same teacher, I had heard him say this to at least three different classes. He went as far as saying he hated yellow flowers. I remember wondering if someone had given him yellow flowers and he was projecting his strong feelings towards this hue to his students.
He wasn’t entirely incorrect. As an adjective, yellow means “mean, cowardly.” Yellow journalism is journalism based upon sensationalism and crude exaggeration according to the Oxford dictionary. To become yellowish is to discolor, age, disease. As a plural, it is defined as jaundice. As a plural in form but singular in construction, it is a type of plant disease.
But over the years in my 20s and early 30s, I started to appreciate this color. It was the color of the very first handbag I bought for myself as a first year teacher at 24 years old. I experimented with blonde hair two years ago and absolutely loved it (I didn’t are that it fried my hair and irritated my scalp).
Bordeaux and cherry reds were the “it” colors of fall/winter 2023 seasons, and I still see gorgeous variations of this scarlet hue all over social media.
But yellow was (and still is) the color in my mind’s periphery, which is why I selected this journal cover for my 2024 lineup early last fall.
Colors mean many things across a variety of cultures1 .
For me, yellow connotes hope and cheerfulness. As a primary hue, it is versatile. It is both luminous and warm. In color therapy, it is used to fight depression. Also this Substack post by Viv Chen (The Molehill) regarding the quiet rebrand of butter yellow made me feel giddy as I realized wasn’t the only one who appreciated this color.
This year is very significant for me. This year, instead of contract work through an agency, I had my own agency. Instead of receiving a Form-W2, I distributed them to my team. For the first time in my life, I rang in 2024 as a business owner. It is also the year I turn 40 (I am still enjoying these last few months in my 30s). I want to associate this color with hope, confidences, and good energy. Through this association I want to welcome my 40s with open arms.
But over the years in my 20s and early 30s, I started to appreciate this color. It was the color of the very first handbag I bought for myself as a first year teacher at the tender age of 24. I experimented with blonde hair two years ago and absolutely loved it (though it did fry my hair and irritated my scalp, I didn’t care).
Yellow also signifies serenity, like those quiet moments I love with a fresh cup of coffee and a book (this week, it was Everything I Know about Love: A Memoir by Dolly Alderton).
This past week was overwhelmingly busy about 85% of the time, but for that remaining 15%, I intentionally tried to color specific moments of my week yellow.
What I drank:
For instance, when I took mental breaks, I made sure I had coffee. Lots of coffee.
It’s not just the caffeine; there’s really nothing like the smell of Maxim Mocha Gold Coffee Mix or the creamy taste of an iced vanilla latte, but I digress.
What I ate:
If there is anything Koreans love it’s food that has an egg in it (yolk and all, of course).
What I wore:
This Max Tee in Straw by Flore Flore is something I could style with basically any linen or denim bottoms. I love the fitted look and it’s perfect to wear on its own or layered with another top.
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This goes without saying, but a trip to Bode is an absolute treat.
What I noticed:
This charming Moroccan restaurant a couple doors down from Bode in the same color palette as my outfit for that day.
What I bought:
The Bisou Balm feels comfortably mousse-y and the wash of color is flattering and subtle2. I bought the Boum-Boum milk in the travel size to try it out first. I haven’t used it on my skin yet but I love a good three in one deal (toner, serum, moisturizer).
What I didn’t buy, but put on my wishlist:
This little guy:
My husband and I are renovating our home; in the meantime, we are in desperate need of lighting, especially the dining area. This unique hamburger light was exactly what we would need to warm up our dim space. Alas, it was outside of my budget so it went straight to my wishlist.
what does the color “yellow” mean to you? Does it mean something culturally significant or a specific emotion?
The color “white” in Western cultures symbolize purity, elegance, and clarity to name a few. This is the same for Korean culture; white and yellow make up Ohbangsaek (“Oh bang” means five direction, “saek” is Korean for “color”) that originated from the Chinese philosophical theory of the yin and the yang. Colors are very significant in Korea, as they represent directions, elements of life that are necessary for health, prosperity, and longevity.
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After having kids I was basically forced to pick a "favorite color" as kids are want to do; my pick is YELLOW. Yellow is sunshine and happiness. And it's always an option as a game piece ;)
Yellow to me symbolizes joy and happiness. Also adding warmth and brightness to delightful moments.