What's Your Color of Calm? How I Use 'Poise' to Win High-Stakes Matches

The score is tied 10-10. Match point looms. My heart hammers against my ribs, and the murmur of the crowd becomes white noise. This is the moment where champions are made—or matches are lost.

For years, I struggled in these exact situations. My anxiety would spike, my grip would tighten, and my movements would become rigid. I'd overthink every shot, second-guess every decision. The pressure didn't just affect my performance; it robbed me of the joy that brought me to the sport in the first place.

Then, in my own journey, I discovered something that changed everything: the power of a single color to anchor my focus and restore my calm. That color is Poise—a deep, composed purple that has become more than just a shade in my wardrobe. It's a strategic tool, a mental cue, and a pathway to the inner tranquility I need to command the court with confidence.

When Composure Crumbled

Let me take you back to a regional tournament three years ago. I was playing well, my shots were landing, and I'd fought my way to the semifinals. Then came a critical point at 9-8. The pressure mounted. My breathing became shallow. My thoughts spiraled into a familiar loop of self-doubt.

I shanked an easy return into the net.

The next point, I double-faulted. My opponent sensed my unraveling and capitalized on every misstep. Within minutes, I'd lost the match—not because I lacked skill, but because I couldn't manage the mental weight of the moment and stay calm under pressure.

Walking off the court, I felt defeated. But more than that, I felt frustrated. I knew I was capable of better. I just didn't know how to access it when the stakes were highest.

The Breakthrough: A Color Connection

A few weeks after that tournament, I was working with my coach on mental resilience techniques. She introduced me to visualization—a practice common in sports psychology where athletes mentally rehearse scenarios to improve performance and reduce anxiety.

"Think of a place or a feeling where you're completely calm," she suggested. "What does it look like? What color is it?"

Without hesitation, I pictured a twilight sky—deep, rich, and endless. The color was purple. Not bright or flashy, but composed and steady. It felt like the visual embodiment of the poise I wanted to embody on the court.

That evening, I started experimenting. I'd close my eyes before bed and visualize that purple hue washing over me, bringing with it a sense of quiet confidence. When I practiced the next day, I wore a purple wristband as a physical reminder. Every time I glanced at it, I felt a subtle shift—a grounding, a return to center. It wasn't magic. But it was powerful.

The Science Behind Visualization

My personal breakthrough with color wasn't just anecdotal—it's backed by sports psychology research. Visualization, also known as mental imagery, is a cornerstone technique used by elite athletes across disciplines to enhance performance and manage stress.

According to Dr. Jim Afremow, a leading sports psychologist and author of The Champion's Mind, "Visualization helps athletes create a mental blueprint for success. It primes the brain to execute under pressure by simulating the experience in advance." This is a key aspect of building mental toughness.

Color plays a unique role in this process, a field often explored in color psychology in sports. Colors can trigger distinct emotional and physiological responses. Research from institutions like the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) indicates that colors can influence mood and stress levels. For example, blue is often perceived as calming, while red is energizing, and purple—my color of choice—is frequently associated with balance, wisdom, and composure. By associating a specific color with a desired mental state, you create a powerful cognitive shortcut. Your brain begins to link that hue with the feeling, making it easier to access that state when you need it most.

My coach once told me, "Mental resilience isn't about never feeling pressure. It's about having tools to navigate it." For me, that tool became the color purple—what I now call Poise.

Finding Your Color of Calm

You don't need to be a professional athlete to benefit from these mental resilience techniques. Here's a simple breakdown of how you can discover your own color of calm:

How I Apply Poise on the Court

For me, the Volaea Poise collection became the perfect embodiment of this practice. The deep purple isn't just beautiful—it's a constant, visual reminder of the composure I've worked so hard to develop. It's a key part of our curated pickleball apparel collection.

Before a match, I take a moment to run my fingers over the fabric of my purple pickleball skirt. The texture is smooth, the fit is secure, and the color is unmistakable. It's a small ritual, but it centers me.

During high-stakes points, I glance down at the purple and take a breath. That color has become my mental reset button. It quiets the noise, steadies my hands, and reminds me: You've been here before. You know how to handle this.

There was a particularly challenging tournament last spring where this technique proved invaluable. I was playing a strong opponent who had beaten me twice before. We were neck-and-neck, and I could feel the old anxiety creeping in. But this time, I had my tool. I looked at my skirt, visualized that deep purple filling my chest, and exhaled slowly. The next point, I executed a perfect third-shot drop. The match shifted. I won. Afterward, my coach pulled me aside. "I saw it," she said. "You found your center."

Real-Life Applications Beyond the Court

What started as a technique for pickleball has bled into the rest of my life. When I'm navigating a tense work meeting or facing a difficult conversation, I visualize my color. I wear something purple when I need that extra layer of composure.

It's become a form of self-care—a way to access confidence and calm no matter the situation. And I'm not alone. I've shared this practice with friends, and many have adopted their own colors: calming blue, grounding green, energizing coral.

One friend told me, "I used to think visualization for athletes was too 'woo-woo' for me. But when I started associating my color with confidence, everything clicked. Now I wear it to job interviews, first dates, and yes, on the court."

Overcoming Challenges

Of course, developing this association doesn't happen overnight. There were days when I'd visualize purple and still feel anxious. There were matches where I wore my Poise collection and still lost composure.

Here's what I learned: this technique isn't a magic pill. It's a tool that requires consistent practice. The more you pair your color with intentional breathwork and positive visualization, the stronger the association becomes.

If you're struggling, try this:

• Start small: Practice your color association during low-pressure situations first.
• Be patient: It took me several weeks before the connection felt automatic.
• Adjust as needed: If a color stops resonating, it's okay to try a new one.

And remember, losing your cool occasionally doesn't mean the technique isn't working. It means you're human. The goal isn't perfection—it's progress.

Integrating Poise Into Your Life

The beauty of this practice is its versatility. You can use it during a crucial work presentation, before a difficult conversation, or when navigating any moment that demands your best self. Here's how I've woven it into my daily routine:

• Morning ritual: I visualize my color for five minutes each morning while sipping coffee.
• Wardrobe choices: I keep pieces in my color of calm readily accessible for high-stakes days.
• Pre-match preparation: I incorporate color visualization into my warm-up routine.

The more you integrate your color into your life, the more automatic the response becomes. It's like training a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Command Your Court with Confidence

In the end, Poise isn't just a color. It's a mindset. It is the quiet confidence that allows you to step onto the court—or into any high-pressure situation—and trust yourself completely. For me, that confidence is embodied in a deep, composed purple, present in the elegant activewear I choose, the visualization practice I've cultivated, and the mental resilience I've built over time in 2025.

If you're ready to discover your own color of calm and elevate your performance, I encourage you to start experimenting. Find the hue that resonates, practice the visualization, and wear it with intention.

And when you're ready to embody that composure on the court, explore the Volaea Poise collection—designed for players who remain elegant under pressure and command the match with quiet confidence.

Find your focus under pressure. Shop the Volaea Poise collection and command your court.