Naming Feelings & Building an Emotions Vocabulary

The more words you have for your feelings, the easier they are to understand and handle.

Feelings can be confusing — but when you can name them, they make more sense.

If you can say, “I feel worried,” or “I feel annoyed,” instead of just “I feel bad,” it helps you and others know what you need.

Some feelings are small and pass quickly. Others feel big and heavy.

You could think of them like a *feelings scale*:

• Small: calm, curious, okay.
• Medium: nervous, frustrated, lonely.
• Big: angry, scared, really sad.

Try to notice how strong a feeling is — is it a small wave or a big storm?

All feelings are OK — even the tricky ones. They don’t last forever.

You can build your feelings vocabulary by:

• Using a feelings chart or emoji list.
• Noticing how characters in shows or books feel.
• Talking about your own feelings with friends or trusted adults.

The more you practise naming feelings, the easier it gets to manage them.  Fiind more about feelings words in the wellbeing toolkit

Naming emotions helps you understand yourself and respond instead of just reacting.

Emotions are messages from your brain and body.

When you can put a name to a feeling, you start to make sense of what’s going on inside.

Instead of just “bad,” maybe it’s *disappointed, stressed, jealous, or nervous*.

Each word gives you a clue about what’s really happening — and what might help.

Try noticing

• What emotion you’re feeling.
• How strong it is (mild, medium, or intense).
• What might have triggered it.
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You can build your emotional vocabulary by

• Using words that fit your level of feeling (e.g. “annoyed” vs. “furious”).
• Reflecting on how emotions change throughout the day.
• Talking openly about feelings — it’s a skill that gets easier with practice.

The more precisely you can name a feeling, the more control you have over how you deal with it. 

More about naming feelings in the toolkit