Choosing a feeling word

Labelling emotions is helpful to express how we’re feeling to others and to ourselves.

The problem though is it’s hard to describe our emotions when we’re feeling them, especially when they’re strong. 

So rather than trying to find a word, why not choose a word? 

There are many lists of emotions you can find online, such as this one from the Hoffman Institute. 

When you find a list you like, it becomes an easy reference to use when you’re feeling strong emotions. 

This was where I was going to end the blog post, until Bec glanced over my shoulder while I was writing it. She excitedly ran out of the room and returned with Brené Brown’s new book, Atlas of the Heart. 

It beautifully describes this process of identifying emotions, and it looks like it will become our go-to emotions list. 

Here are the chapters to give you an idea:

1. Places we go when things are uncertain or too much
2. Places we go when we compare
3. Places we go when things don’t go as planned
4. Places we go when it’s beyond us
5. Places we go when things aren’t what they seem
6. Places we go when we’re hurting
7. Places we go with others
8. Places we go when we fall short
9. Places we go when we search for connection
10. Places we go when the heart is open
11. Places we go when life is good
12. Places we go when we feel wronged
13. Places we go to self-assess

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