Emotions are the fabric of our lives, and we all experience them in different shades and intensities. While we can easily recognise the basic emotions of happiness, anger, fear, and sadness, there are various types and subtypes that we may overlook. However, the inability to identify our true emotions can have negative consequences on our physical, mental, relational, and spiritual well-being.
Therefore, it is essential to develop a robust emotional vocabulary that includes not only the identification of specific emotions but also the ability to describe their intensity and duration. For example, saying, "I have been hopelessly sad since I heard that news," or "I felt intensely grateful the whole day" provides a better understanding of the emotions we experience.
The Feelings Wheel is an excellent tool for exploring emotions in a more specific way, expanding our emotional vocabulary, and gaining insight into our emotions. So, let's start exploring!