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Expanding Your Emotional Vocabulary

Often times, even as adults, it is easy to default to simple words to explain complex emotions. Go-to emotion words may include sad, mad, happy, excited, upset, angry, etc. We can explain our emotions better to ourselves and others if we expand our emotional vocabulary. Keep these two lists handy and refer to them frequently as you continue to add emotional words to your vocabulary.

Feelings When Your Needs are Satisfied

CONNECTION
acceptanceaffectionappreciation

belonging

cooperation

communication

closeness

community

companionship

compassion

consideration

consistency

empathy

inclusion

intimacy

love

nurturing

respect

self-respect

safety

security

stability

support

trust

warmth

HONESTY

authenticity

integrity

presence

 

 

CONFIDENT

empowered

open

proud

safe

secure

 

PEACE

beauty

communion

ease

equality

harmony

inspiration

order

 

MEANING

awareness

celebration of life

clarity

competence

consciousness

contribution

creativity

discovery

efficacy

effectiveness

growth

hope

learning

mourning

participation

AFFECTIONATE

compassionate

friendly

loving

open hearted

sympathetic

tender

warm

 

JOYFUL

amused

delighted

glad

happy

jubilant

pleased

tickled

 

ENGAGED

absorbed

alert

curious

engrossed

enchanted

entranced

fascinated

interested

intrigued

involved

spellbound

stimulated

 

INSPIRED

amazed

awed

wonder

 

EXCITEDamazed

animated

ardent

aroused

astonished

dazzled

eager

energetic

enthusiastic

giddy

invigorated

lively

passionate

surprised

vibrant

AUTONOMY

choice

freedom

independence

space

spontaneity

EXHILARATED

blissful

ecstatic

elated

enthralled

exuberant

radiant

rapturous
thrilled

 

GRATEFUL

appreciative

moved

thankful

touched

 

REFRESHED

enlivened

rejuvenated

renewed

rested

restored

revived

purpose

self-expression

stimulation

to matter

understanding

 

PEACEFUL

calm

clear headed

comfortable

centered

content

unanimous

fulfilled

mellow

quiet

relaxed

relieved

satisfied

serene

still

tranquil

trusting

 

HOPEFUL

expectant

encouraged

Optimistic

Feelings When Your Needs are Not Satisfied

AFRAIDapprehensive

dread

foreboding

frightened

mistrustful

panicked

petrified

scared

suspicious

terrified

wary

worried

 

ANNOYED

aggravated

dismayed

disgruntled

displeased

exasperated

frustrated

impatient

irritated

irked

 

ANGRY

enraged

furious

incensed

indignant

irate

livid

outraged

resentful

 

AVERSION

animosity

appalled

contempt

disgusted

dislike

hate

horrified

hostile

repulsed

 

CONFUSED

ambivalent

baffled

bewildered

dazed

hesitant

lost

mystified

perplexed

puzzled

torn

 

DISCONNECTED

alienated

aloof

apathetic

bored

cold

detached

distant

distracted

indifferent

numb

removed

uninterested

withdrawn

 

DISQUIET

agitated

alarmed

discombobulated

disconcerted

disturbed

perturbed

rattled

restless

shocked

started

surprised

troubled

turbulent

turmoil

uncomfortable

uneasy

unnerved

unsettled

upset

EMBARRASSED

ashamed

chagrined

flustered

guilty

mortified

self-conscious

 

FATIGUE

beat

burnt out

depleted

exhausted

lethargic

listless

sleepy

tired

weary

worn out

 

PAIN

agony

anguished

bereaved

devastated

grief

heartbroken

hurt

lonely

miserable

regretful

remorseful

 

SAD

depressed

dejected

despair

despondent

disappointed

discouraged

disheartened

forlorn

gloomy

heavy hearted

hopeless

melancholy

unhappy

wretched

 

TENSE

anxious

cranky

distressed

edgy

fidgety

frazzled

irritable

jittery

nervous

overwhelmed

restless

stressed out

 

VULNERABLE

fragile

guarded

helpless

insecure

leery

reserved

sensitive

shaky

 

YEARNING

envious

jealous

longing

nostalgic

pining

wistful