As a spectator of my mind, most of the time I’m asking: “What am I actually feeling?”

I came across this helpful (and beautifully designed) diagram: the Feeling Wheel. In 1982, Dr. Gloria Wilcox published this tool to elevate how to acknowledge what’s arising within.

She writes: “The wheel has proven useful in assisting clients to learn how to identify, to express, to generate, and to change feelings.”

What I like about this wheel is that it nudges us to go further. For example, If you’re feeling bad, you may be feeling overwhelmed. When you’re feeling happy, you may be feeling inspired.

When we push ourselves to truly identify the emotion, we can then address it appropriately (and bring a loved one to help too).

Scan the wheel - what’s (really) going inside your head today?