NVC List of Feelings

Feelings when your needs are satisfied

Affectionate

compassionate
concerned*
friendly
loving
open hearted
sympathetic
tender
warm

Engaged

absorbed
alert
alive*
curious
engrossed
enchanted
entranced
fascinated
inquisitive*
interested
intrigued
involved
spellbound
stimulated

Hopeful

expectant
encouraged
optimistic

Confident

empowered
open
proud
safe
secure

Excited

amazed
animated
ardent
aroused
astonished
buoyant*
dazzled
eager
energetic
enthusiastic
giddy
invigorated
lively
passionate
surprised
vibrant

Grateful

appreciative
moved
thankful
touched

Inspired

amazed
awed
wonder

Joyful

amused
delighted
glad
happy
jazzed*
jubilant
pleased
tickled

Exhilarated

blissful
carefree*
ecstatic
elated
enthralled
exuberant
radiant
rapturous
thrilled

Peaceful

calm
clear headed
comfortable
centered
content
equanimous
fulfilled
mellow
quiet
relaxed
relieved
satisfied
serene
still
tranquil
trusting

Playful*

adventurous*
expansive*
goofy*
impish*
light-hearted*
mischievous*
silly*

Refreshed

enlivened
rejuvenated
renewed
rested
restored
revived

Feelings when your needs are not satisfied

Afraid

apprehensive
dread
foreboding
frightened
mistrustful
panicked
petrified
scared
suspicious
terrified
wary
worried

Annoyed

aggravated
dismayed
disgruntled
displeased
exasperated
frustrated
grouchy*
grumpy*
impatient
irritated
irked
rancorous*

Angry

bitter*
enraged
furious
incensed
indignant
irate
livid
mad*
outraged
resentful

Aversion

animosity
appalled
contempt
disgusted
dislike
hate
horrified
hostile
repulsed

Confused

ambivalent
baffled
bewildered
conflicted*
dazed
hesitant
lost
mystified
perplexed
puzzled
reluctant*
torn
uncertain*

Disconnected

alienated
aloof
apathetic
bored
cold
detached
disinterested*
distant
distracted
indifferent
numb
preoccupied*
removed
skeptical*
uninterested
withdrawn

Disquiet

agitated
alarmed
desperate*
discombobulated
disconcerted
disturbed
frantic*
perturbed
rattled
restless
shocked
startled
surprised
troubled
turbulent
turmoil
uncomfortable
uneasy
unnerved
unsettled
upset

Embarrassed

ashamed
chagrined
flustered
guilty
mortified
nonplussed*
self-conscious

Fatigue

blah*
burnt out
depleted
drained*
dull*
exhausted
heavy*
lethargic
listless
sleepy
tired
weary
worn out

Pain

agony
anguished
bereaved
crushed*
devastated
grief
heartbroken
hurt
lonely
miserable
regretful
remorseful

Sad

blue*
bummed out*
deflated*
dejected
depressed
despair
despondent
disappointed
discouraged
disheartened
forlorn
gloomy
heavy hearted
hopeless
melancholy
resigned*
sorrowful*
unhappy
wretched

Tense

anxious
cranky
distressed
distraught
edgy
fidgety
frazzled
irritable
jittery
nervous
overwhelmed
restless
stressed out

Vulnerable

cautious*
fragile
guarded
helpless
insecure
leery
reserved
sensitive
shaky

Yearning

envious
jealous
longing
nostalgic
pining
wistful

 

Original List

(c) 2005 by Center for Nonviolent Communication
Website: www.cnvc.org Email: cnvc@cnvc.org
Phone: +1.505.244.4041

Expanded List

* = A feeling added to CNVC’s list