Identifying Your Emotions

Today we're talking about something that seems really simple but a lot of folks struggle with it—but absolutely foundational to good mental health and great relationships: knowing how you feel.
Have you ever said "I'm fine" when you're anything but? Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you couldn't even begin to explain what was going on inside you? That's not just frustrating—it can deeply affect the way we communicate, make decisions, and relate to the people we care about most.
So today, we'll explore:
1.    What it really means to identify your emotions
2.    Why this skill is so important for communication
3.    How emotional awareness impacts your relationships
4.    And practical ways you can build this skill—no matter where you're starting from

 

Resources:

Feelings Wheel for Adults

www.calm.com/blog/the-feelings-wheel

 

Sources:

•    Barrett, L. F. (2017). How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain, https://jyotsnabooks.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/how-emotions-are-made-the-secret-life-of-the-brain.pdf
•    https://hbr.org/2014/06/manage-a-difficult-conversation-with-emotional-intelligence
•    https://medium.com/%40johnnysbooksummaries/summary-of-emotional-intelligence-why-it-can-matter-more-than-iq-by-daniel-goleman-ce6d3fdf4254
•    https://mindfulness.com/mindful-living/name-it-to-tame-it
•    https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/Putting-Feelings-Into-Words-Produces-8047
•    https://positivepsychology.com/understanding-emotions/
•    https://thefeelingswheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/willcox1982_feelingswheel.pdf
•    https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/dr-lisa-feldman-barrett-how-to-understand-emotions
•    https://www.mentalhealthwellnessmhw.com/blog/from-overwhelm-to-control-the-name-it-to-tame-it-method
•    https://www.nami.org/anxiety-disorders/critical-things-to-know-about-emotions-for-mental-health-and-healing/
•    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meaningfull/202310/got-feelings-you-cant-explain-youre-not-alone
•    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindfulness-insights/202312/why-its-vital-to-identify-process-and-express-your-emotions
•    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229062501_Knowing_what_you%27re_feeling_and_knowing_what_to_do_about_it_Mapping_the_relation_between_emotion_differentiation_and_emotion_regulation?utm_source=chatgpt.com
•    https://www.unh.edu/pacs/recognizing-emotions