There are times when we know we feel unsettled but cannot find the right word for it. Anger might sit alongside hurt; anxiety may appear with excitement; sadness can arrive with relief. Our emotional experience does not always fit one neat category.
Naming a feeling can help us slow down and become curious about what is happening. You might begin with a broad word, such as “tense” or “low”, before noticing something more specific. You might also notice sensations in your body, such as a tight jaw, warmth, heaviness or restlessness.
There is no requirement to analyse every emotion perfectly. The point is to create a little more room between feeling something and reacting automatically. A feeling can be meaningful without needing to determine every decision you make.
Questions for reflection
- What word comes closest to how I feel?
- Where do I notice this in my body?
- What happened before the feeling appeared?
- What might I need right now?
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