Feelings and
Needs
Feelings
Sometimes, we search for the right word but can’t find it. Here are lists of feelings and personal needs to help you identify your feelings and needs.
Positive feelings
- Affectionate: compassionate, friendly, loving, sympathetic, tender, warm
- Confident: empowered, open, proud, safe, secure
- Refreshed: enlivened, rejuvenated, renewed, rested, restored, revived
- Grateful: appreciative, moved, thankful, touched
- Joyful: amused, glad, happy, pleased, tickled
- Exhilarated: blissful, delighted, ecstatic, elated, enthralled, exuberant, jubilant, radiant, rapturous, thrilled
- Hopeful: expectant, encouraged, optimistic, open-hearted
- Inspired: amazed, awed, motivated, wonder
- Peaceful: calm, centered, clear-headed, comfortable, content, fulfilled, mellow, quiet, relaxed, relieved, satisfied, serene, still, tranquil, trusting
- Excited: amazed, animated, ardent, astonished, dazzled, eager, energetic, enthusiastic, giddy, invigorated, lively, passionate, surprised, vibrant
- Engaged: absorbed, alert, attentive, curious, engrossed, enchanted, entranced, fascinated, interested, intrigued, involved, spellbound
Negative feelings
- Tense: anxious, cranky, distressed, distraught, fidgety, frazzled, irritable, jittery, nervous, on edge, overwhelmed, restless, stressed-out
- Agitated: alarmed, discombobulated, disconcerted, disturbed, rattled, restless, shocked, startled, surprised, troubled, turbulent, uncomfortable, uneasy, unnerved, unsettled, upset
- Disconnected: alienated, aloof, apathetic, bored, detached, distant, distracted, indifferent, numb, removed, uninterested, withdrawn
- Embarrassed: ashamed, chagrined, flustered, guilty, mortified, self-conscious
Sad: depressed, dejected, despair, despondent, disappointed, discouraged, disheartened, forlorn, gloomy, heavy-hearted, hopeless, melancholy, unhappy - Pain: agony, anguished, bereaved, devastated, grief, heartbroken, hurt, lonely, miserable, regretful, remorseful
- Vulnerable: fragile, guarded, helpless, hurt, insecure, leery, reserved, sensitive, shaky, untrusting
- Fatigue: beat, burnt out, depleted, exhausted, lethargic, listless, sleepy, tired, weary, worn out
- Annoyed: aggravated, dismayed, disgruntled, displeased, exasperated, frustrated, impatient, irritated, irked
- Angry: enraged, furious, incensed, indignant, irate, livid, outraged, resentful, hostile
- Aversion: animosity, appalled, contempt, disgusted, dislike, hate, horrified, repulsed
- Confused: ambivalent, baffled, bewildered, dazed, hesitant, lost, mystified, perplexed, puzzled, torn
- Afraid: apprehensive, dread, mistrustful, panicked, petrified, scared, suspicious, terrified, wary, worried
- Yearning: envious, jealous, longing, nostalgic, pining, wistful
Needs
These might be things you want to give, receive, or both.
- Physical Survival: air, food, health/healthcare, safety, security, shelter, touch, water
- Autonomy: boundaries, choice, empowerment, flexibility, freedom, independence, individuality
- Connection to Others: acceptance, appreciation, closeness, community, compassion, empathy, generosity, inclusion, reassurance, solidarity, support
- Nurturing: affection, bonding, caring, comfort, emotional safety/warmth, intimacy, love, rest/relaxation, sexual expression, tenderness, warmth
- Integrity: authenticity, effectiveness, equality, honesty, purpose/meaning, respect, self-respect, self-worth, trust, vision/dreams
- Spirituality: beauty, being, faith, grace, harmony, inspiration, mutuality, order, peace
- Mental/Cognitive: awareness, challenge, clarity, distinction, education, information, leveling up, reflection, stimulation, truth, understanding
- Self-Expression: creativity, grieving, growth, healing, meaning, mourning, teaching
- Joy: aliveness, delight, excitement, humor, passion, play, pleasure, stimulation