As someone who is colour blind, the world often feels like an enigma wrapped in shades of grey, muddled reds, and indistinct greens. I’ve never experienced the vivid reds of a summer rose or the deep blues of a calm ocean, but I’ve learned to paint my world in a different way – through smell. While my eyes fail me, my nose acts as a guide, helping me navigate and interpret the kaleidoscope of life in a unique and beautiful way.
Growing up, I didn’t realise my perception of colour was different. I would hear people describe sunsets as “fireworks of orange and pink” or call someone’s shirt “baby blue,” and it all felt abstract, like trying to understand a symphony when you can only hear a faint hum. It was frustrating at times, but then I discovered something magical: smells have their own colours.
Take coffee, for example. To most people, it’s just a warm brown liquid. To me, the aroma is golden. The rich, earthy scent fills the air, wrapping me in hues of amber and honey. Freshly cut grass is another favourite – a sharp, green explosion that feels alive and vibrant, even though I’ve never truly seen “green.” It’s through these scents that I’ve come to understand the beauty of the world in a way that’s just as vivid as the view through a painter’s eyes.
Some smells even carry a spectrum within themselves. Take the sea breeze. The salty tang of the ocean hits me like a cool blue wave, but there’s also a whisper of warmth from the sunbaked sand, a pale yellow that balances the scent’s palette. The combination makes my imagination run wild, painting a scene I’ve never seen but can somehow feel deeply.
It’s not just nature; everyday life has its own gallery of smells. The sweetness of a bakery evokes a warm pastel of pinks and creams, while the zingy freshness of citrus fruits bursts into vibrant oranges and yellows. Even the smell of rain, petrichor, feels like a soft grey-blue, soothing and grounding, much like the sky before a storm.
Interestingly, my reliance on smell has helped me connect with others in ways I never expected. When my friends excitedly point out a “beautiful” sunset, I lean into the cool evening air, catching the subtle dampness that smells like twilight. When someone wears a striking outfit, I focus on the faint trace of perfume or cologne that tells me more about their personality than any fabric ever could. It’s these sensory connections that make my world feel rich, full, and, yes, colourful.
Being colour blind hasn’t limited me; it’s simply redirected my focus. Instead of seeing the world in literal colours, I’ve embraced the spectrum of smells that life offers. It’s a different kind of beauty, one that’s as vivid and enchanting as any rainbow I’ve heard described. While I may not see the world as others do, I live in a symphony of scents, painting my life through the vibrant colours of smell.
Then l tried iRo lenses and discovered a new way to experience the world. Try an iRo lens testing kit today.