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alienated, aloof, apathetic, bored, detached, distant, distracted, indifferent, numb, removed, uninterested, withdrawn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