The following are words we use when we want to express a combination of emotional states and physical sensations. This list is neither exhaustive nor definitive. It is meant as a starting place to support anyone who wishes to engage in a process of deepening self-discovery and to facilitate greater understanding and connection between people.
There are two parts to this list: feelings we may have when our needs are being met and feelings we may have when our needs are not being met.
Feelings when your needs are satisfied
| AFFECTIONATE compassionate friendly loving open hearted sympathetic tender warm ENGAGED HOPEFUL |
CONFIDENT empowered open proud safe secure EXCITED |
GRATEFUL appreciative moved thankful touched INSPIRED JOYFUL EXHILARATED |
PEACEFUL calm clear headed comfortable centered content equanimous fulfilled mellow quiet relaxed relieved satisfied serene still tranquil trusting REFRESHED |
Feelings when your needs are not satisfied
| AFRAID apprehensive dread foreboding frightened mistrustful panicked petrified scared suspicious terrified wary worried ANNOYED ANGRY AVERSION |
CONFUSED ambivalent baffled bewildered dazed hesitant lost mystified perplexed puzzled torn DISCONNECTED DISQUIET |
EMBARRASSED ashamed chagrined flustered guilty mortified self-conscious FATIGUE PAIN SAD |
TENSE anxious cranky distressed distraught edgy fidgety frazzled irritable jittery nervous overwhelmed restless stressed out VULNERABLE YEARNING |
(c) 2005 by Center for Nonviolent Communication
Website: www.cnvc.org Email: cnvc@cnvc.org
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The Center for Nonviolent Communication is a global organization that supports the learning and sharing of NVC, and helps people peacefully and effectively resolve conflicts in personal, organizational, and political settings. What I especially admire about Marshall Rosenberg’ and his NVC organization is his contributions to the creation of world peace through peaceful conflict resolution. If you haven’t read it already, check out his book Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life available at Amazon.com
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Annette,
I’m still following your articles, even though I haven’t made any comments lately. It has been a very busy Summer. My first veggie garden has been a success and I’ve learned a lot.
Tomorrow is the first of September and I’m beginning to get feelings of panic not knowing how I’m going to spend my cold, snowy days! This will be our first Winter in our new home and I’m going to have to find other ways to keep me busy. I don’t want to spend my time yearning for Spring. Any suggestions?
Pink hugs, Kathleen
Hi Kathleen
Hard to think of winter when it’s still near 100 degrees here in Dallas. But I’ve got some ideas.
1. Take up an indoor creative project that consumes your time and inspires your soul.
2. Build snowmen.
3. Take long walks outside and listen to the snow falling.
4. Learn how to cook new recipes with all those frozen vegetables from your garden.
5. Plan a winter vacation somewhere warmer.
6. Take up skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling.
7. Join a book club.
8. Visit museums
9. Go shopping.
10. Plan out next year’s garden.
It’s good that you are planning ahead so that you don’t find yourself bored and restless. What are your thoughts for the winter?
Beautiful sunny morning here……plan to do some whipper snipping today! Must get the rest of my squash out of my garden…..the deer are having a field day!
Thank you for your suggestions concerning Winter. Several new ones to add to my list.
Hope all is well in your world.
Hugs, K.