How to label a feeling

Brett and Kate McKay wrote about the great power of labeling our emotions ^[1].

Key – ask yourself:

– How do I feel?

Answer by reflecting:

– I notice that I'm feeling (...).

What can we feel? What emotions are there?

Most basic words: happy, sad, angry.

More specific words:

Painful: anger, depression, anxiety, being overwhelmed, unkindness, envy, rage, fear, contempt, boredom, shame, restlessness, malicious envy.
Pleasant: contentment (satisfaction), confidence, joy, happiness (happy), kindness, admiration, calmness, benevolence, indignation, compassion, "in the flow".

Some specific emotions in detail:

Envy: pain at the good fortune of others.
Anxiety (as described by Kierkegaard): fear we experience in the face of choice.
Despair (as described by Kierkegaard): The feeling of not living up to our divine potential.

Related sources: