Skill

Name What I’m Feeling

Put an accurate word to the emotion instead of acting it out.

What it is

Naming what you are feeling means putting an accurate word to your emotional experience instead of reducing everything to mad, fine, or stressed.

How to do it

Stop for a moment.

Notice what is happening in your body.

Ask what you are feeling besides anger.

Choose the closest word.

Decide what response fits the actual emotion.

Remember

The better you can name the feeling, the less likely you are to act it out blindly.

Want to understand this more deeply?

Chapter 2: Understand What I’m Feeling

Read the story and teaching behind this skill, then come back here when you want to practice it.

Identify the vulnerable emotion that anger may be covering.

Distinguish what you feel from what you believe happened.

Notice what your body is telling you before it turns into something you do.