cnvc.

org

The Center for

NONVIOLENT
COMMUNICATION

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, Ph.D.
 FEELINGS WHEN NEEDS ARE SATISFIED

AFFECTIONATE EXCITED JOYFUL REFRESHED

compassionate amazed amused enlivened
friendly animated delighted rejuvenated
loving ardent glad renewed
open-hearted aroused happy rested
sympathetic astonished jubilant restored
tender dazzled pleased revived
warm eager tickled
energetic
ENGAGED enthusiastic EXHILARATED
absorbed giddy blissful Increase your
alert invigorated ecstatic emotional
curious lively elated vocabulary —
engrossed passionate enthralled are there more
enchanted surprised exuberant feeling words
entranced vibrant radiant you can add?
fascinated rapturous
interested GRATEFUL thrilled
intrigued appreciative
involved moved PEACEFUL
spellbound thankful calm
stimulated touched clear-headed
comfortable
HOPEFUL INSPIRED centered
expectant amazed content
encouraged awed equanimous
optimistic wonder fulfilled
mellow
CONFIDENT quiet
empowered relaxed
open relieved
proud satisfied
safe serene
secure still
tranquil
trusting

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 FEELINGS WHEN NEEDS ARE NOT SATISFIED

AFRAID AVERSION DISQUIET PAIN

apprehensive animosity agitated agony
dread appalled alarmed anguished
foreboding contempt discombobulated bereaved
frightened disgusted disconcerted devastated
mistrustful dislike disturbed grief
panicked hate perturbed heartbroken
petrified horrified rattled hurt
scared hostile restless lonely
suspicious repulsed shocked miserable
terrified startled regretful
wary CONFUSED surprised remorseful
worried ambivalent troubled
baffled turbulent SAD
ANNOYED bewildered turmoil depressed
aggravated dazed uncomfortable dejected
dismayed hesitant uneasy despair
disgruntled lost unnerved despondent
displeased mystified unsettled disappointed
exasperated perplexed upset discouraged
frustrated puzzled disheartened
impatient torn EMBARRASSED forlorn
irritated ashamed gloomy
irked DISCONNECTED chagrined heavy-hearted
alienated flustered hopeless
ANGRY aloof guilty melancholy
enraged apathetic mortified unhappy
furious bored self-conscious wretched
incensed cold
indignant detached FATIGUE TENSE
irate distant beat anxious
livid distracted burnt out cranky
outraged indifferent depleted distressed
resentful numb exhausted distraught
removed lethargic edgy
VULNERABLE
uninterested listless fidgety
fragile
withdrawn sleepy frazzled
guarded
tired irritable
helpless
YEARNING weary jittery nervous
insecure
envious worn out overwhelmed
leery
reserved jealous restless
sensitive longing stressed out
shaky nostalgic
pining
wistful
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 NEEDS INVENTORY

PHYSICAL CONNECTION PLAY

MEANING
WELLBEING acceptance joy
awareness
air affection humor
celebration of
food appreciation
life challenge
movement/ belonging PEACE
clarity
exercise cooperation beauty
competence
rest/sleep communication communion
consciousness
sexual expression closeness ease
contribution
safety community equality
creativity
shelter companionship harmony
discovery
touch compassion inspiration
efficacy
water consideration order
effectiveness
consistency
growth
empathy AUTONOMY
HONESTY hope
inclusion choice
authenticity learning
intimacy freedom
integrity mourning
love independence
presence participation
mutuality space purpose
nurturing spontaneity self-expression
respect/self-
stimulation
respect
to matter
safety
understanding
security
stability
support
to know and be
known
to see and be
seen
to understand
and be
understood
trust
warmth

The feelings and needs presented here are neither exhaustive nor definitive. They are meant as
a starting point to support anyone who wishes to engage in a process of deepening self-
discovery, and to facilitate greater understanding and connection between people.

We hope you found it of benefit. Every day, around the world, CNVC aims to spread and support
Nonviolent Communication so all may be inspired to become fluent in this “Language of Life.”
May you be inspired to pass it on. As a gift to you, and hopefully many others, you are free to
share or copy this document; we request CNVC is credited as follows:
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The Center for Nonviolent Communication © 2023
www.CNVC.org
cnvc@cnvc.org