Words for what's alive in you — grouped by whether our needs are being met.
⤓ Printable Feelings List (PDF)These are genuine feeling words. Words like “abandoned,” “misled,” or “let down” are left off — they describe what we think someone else is doing to us. When we slow down, we can notice how we are actually feeling inside — maybe “sad,” “scared,” or “frustrated.”
compassionate, fond, loving, openhearted, tender, warm
absorbed, curious, engrossed, enchanted, enthralled, entranced, fascinated, interested, intrigued, involved, open, spellbound, stimulated
amazed, ardent, aroused, dazzled, energetic, enlivened, enthusiastic, exuberant, invigorated, lively, passionate, surprised, vibrant
enthralled, radiant, electrified, euphoric, overjoyed, thrilled
appreciative, moved, thankful, touched
amused, blissful, cheerful, delighted, ecstatic, elated, giddy, glad, jolly, joyful, jubilant, merry, overjoyed, pleased, rapturous, tickled
confident, expectant, jazzed, lighthearted, sanguine, up, upbeat
amazed, eager, enthused, motivated, moved, psyched, stimulated, stirred, wonder
calm, comfortable, centered, content, equanimity, fulfilled, mellow, open, quiet, relaxed, relieved, satisfied, serene, tranquil
recharged, rejuvenated, renewed, rested, restored, revived
aggravated, angry, animosity, annoyed, contempt, disgruntled, enraged, exasperated, furious, hate, hostile, incensed, irate, irritated, irked, livid, miffed, nettled, outraged, peeved, resentful
abhorrence, appalled, bothered, displeased, disgust, dislike, enmity, horrified, loathing, repulsion, revulsion
ambivalent, baffled, bewildered, conflicted, dazed, discombobulated, disoriented, mixed, mystified, perplexed, puzzled, torn
apathetic, bored, closed, detached, distant, indifferent, listless, numb, withdrawn
agitated, alarmed, concerned, distraught, disconcerted, dismayed, disturbed, frustrated, perturbed, rattled, restless, shocked, startled, surprised, troubled, turbulent, turmoil, uncomfortable, uneasy, unnerved, unsettled, upset
ashamed, chagrined, discomfited, flustered, mortified, self-conscious
beat, burnt out, depleted, exhausted, listless, pooped, sleepy, tired, weary, wiped out, worn out
afraid, anxious, apprehensive, dread, fearful, foreboding, frightened, guarded, insecure, leery, mistrustful, panicked, petrified, scared, shaky, terrified, trepidation, wary, worried
aching, agony, anguished, devastated, grief, heartbroken, hungry, hurting, lonely, miserable, regretful, remorseful
depressed, dejected, despairing, despondent, disappointed, discouraged, disheartened, forlorn, gloomy, heavyhearted, hopeless, melancholy, miserable, unhappy, wistful
anxious, closed, distressed, edgy, fidgety, frazzled, frustrated, jittery, nervous, overwhelmed, restless, stressed out
longing, nostalgic, pining
The Compassion Course