NVC Feelings List
There are no positive or negative emotions, just emotions we feel when our needs are met and emotions we feel when our needs are not met.
Marshall Rosenberg
Note – Watch out for feeling words than could be taken as an interpretation of the other person’s motivations. Some examples are “abandoned” or “attacked”.
Possible Feelings When Our Needs Are Satisfied
AFFECTIONATE
compassionate
friendly
fond
loving
openhearted
sympathetic
tender
warm
CONFIDENT
empowered
open
proud
safe
secure
ENGAGED
absorbed
alert
curious
engrossed
enchanted
enthralled
entranced
fascinated
interested
intrigued
involved
open
spellbound
stimulated
EXCITED
amazed
animated
ardent
aroused
astonished
dazzled
energetic
enlivened
enthusiastic
exuberant
giddy
invigorated
lively
passionate
surprised
vibrant
EXHILARATED
blissful
ecstatic
elated
enthralled
exuberant
radiant
rapturous
electrified
euphoric
overjoyed
thrilled
GRATEFUL
appreciative
moved
thankful
touched
HAPPY
amused
blissful
cheerful
delighted
ecstatic
elated
giddy
glad
jolly
joyful
jubilant
merry
overjoyed
pleased
rapturous
tickled
HOPEFUL
confident
encouraged
expectant
jazzed
lighthearted
optimistic
sanguine
up
upbeat
INSPIRED
amazed
awed
eager
enthused
motivated
moved
psyched
stimulated
stirred
wonder
JOYFUL
amused
delighted
glad
happy
jubiliant
pleased
tickled
PEACEFUL
calm
centered
clear-headed
comfortable
content
equanimous
fulfilled
mellow
open
quiet
relaxed
relieved
satisfied
serene
still
tranquil
trusting
REFRESHED
recharged
rejuvenated
renewed
rested
restored
revived
Possible Feelings When Our Needs Are Unsatisfied
ANGER
aggravated
animosity
annoyed
contempt
disgruntled
enraged
exasperated
furious
hate
hostile
incensed
indignant
irate
irritated
irked
livid
miffed
nettled
outraged
peeved
resentful
ANNOYANCE
aggravated
dismayed
disgruntled
displeased
exasperated
frustrated
impatient
irritated
irked
AVERSION
animosity
abhorrence
appalled
bothered
contempt
displeased
disgust
dislike
enmity
horrified
hostile
loathing
repulsion
revulsion
CONFUSION
ambivalent
baffled
bewildered
conflicted
dazed
discombobulated
disoriented
hesitant
lost
mixed
mystified
perplexed
puzzled
torn
DISCONNECTED
alienated
aloof
apathetic
bored
closed
cold
detached
distant
indifferent
listless
numb
removed
withdrawn
DISQUIET
agitated
alarmed
concerned
distraught
disconcerted
dismayed
disturbed
frustrated
perturbed
rattled
restless
shocked
startled
surprised
troubled
turbulent
turmoil
uncomfortable
uneasy
unnerved
unsettled
upset
EMBARRASSMENT
ashamed
chagrined
discomfited
flustered
mortified
self-conscious
FATIGUE
beat
burnt out
depleted
exhausted
lethargic
listless
pooped
sleepy
tired
weary
wiped out
worn out
FEAR
afraid
anxious
apprehensive
dread
fearful
foreboding
frightened
guarded
insecure
leery
mistrustful
panicked
petrified
scared
shaky
suspicious
terrified
trepidation
wary
worried
PAIN
aching
agony
anguished
bereaved
devastated
grief
heartbroken
hungry
hurting
lonely
miserable
regretful
remorseful
SADNESS
depressed
dejected
despairing
despondent
disappointed
discouraged
disheartened
forlorn
gloomy
heavy-hearted
hopeless
melancholy
miserable
unhappy
wistful
wretched
TENSE
anxious
closed
cranky
distressed
distraught
edgy
fidgety
frazzled
frustrated
irritable
jittery
nervous
overwhelmed
restless
stressed out
VULNERABLE
fragile
guarded
helpless
insecure
leery
reserved
sensitive
shaky
YEARNING
envious
jealous
longing
nostalgic
pining
wistful
