Sunday, September 10, 2006

Feelings Inventories
When working on computers, we forget to check-in with our feelings. Computers tend to elicit intellectual-based outputs. But as artists, we need our feelings to inspire our creative output. Therefore, we need to do a "check-in" to our feelings, especially if we've been at the computer screen for 1.5 to 6 plus hours.

In order to make this a habit in our class, I'll ask at the beginning of class for your "feelings inventory."

The "Feelings Inventory" goes like this:
1. List for me three feelings that you have.
2. Rate them for me percentage-wise.

For instance, you may feel: "20 percent tired, 10 percent bored, and 70 percent excited." Describe your own feelings inventory.

The purpose of this is threefold:

1. To help you identify your own feelings, in the moment. By identifying your feelings, you can better manage them.
2. To help others in the class understand what your feelings are in the moment. Usually, when we hear that other people are experiencing the same feelings, we're better able to connect with them. This could create a better group cohesion: a sense of "we're in this together."
3. As an instructor, I can hear your feelings, and try to make the class better for you.

The following are words we use when we want to express a combination of emotional states and physical sensations. This list is neither exhaustive nor definitive. It is meant as a starting place to support anyone who wishes to engage in a process of deepening self-discovery and to facilitate greater understanding and connection between people.

Feelings when your needs are satisfied
AFFECTIONATE

compassionate
friendly
loving
open hearted
sympathetic
tender
warm

CONFIDENT

empowered
open
proud
safe
secure

ENGAGED

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

INSPIRED
amazed
awed
wonder

EXCITED

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

EXHILARATED
blissful
ecstatic
elated
enthralled
exuberant
radiant
rapturous
thrilled

GRATEFUL
appreciative
moved
thankful
touched

HOPEFUL

expectant
encouraged
optimistic
JOYFUL
amused
delighted
glad
happy
jubilant
pleased
tickled

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

REFRESHED
enlivened
rejuvenated
renewed
rested
restored
revived
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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
impatient
irritated
irked

ANGRY
enraged
furious
incensed
indignant
irate
livid
outraged
resentful

AVERSION
animosity
appalled
contempt
disgusted
dislike
hate
horrified
hostile
repulsed

CONFUSED
ambivalent
baffled
bewildered
dazed
hesitant
lost
mystified
perplexed
puzzled
torn

DISCONNECTED

alienated
aloof
apathetic
bored
cold
detached
distant
distracted
indifferent
numb
removed
uninterested
withdrawn

DISQUIET

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

EMBARRASSED

ashamed
chagrined
flustered
guilty
mortified
self-conscious

FATIGUE

beat
burnt out
depleted
exhausted
lethargic
listless
sleepy
tired
weary
worn out

PAIN
agony
anguished
bereaved
devastated
grief
heartbroken
hurt
lonely
miserable
regretful
remorseful

SAD
depressed
dejected
despair
despondent
disappointed
discouraged
disheartened
forlorn
gloomy
heavy hearted
hopeless
melancholy
unhappy
wretched

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

VULNERABLE

fragile
guarded
helpless
insecure
leery
reserved
sensitive
shaky

YEARNING
envious
jealous
longing
nostalgic
pining
wistful

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think that feelings are a very important part of art and I do understand how they can shape and influence the art we make.

My believe however, is that art can be made without knowledge of your current emotional state. That means to me that if a person wanted to know what the artist felt, then his/her feelings can be extracted from the finished result.

Should the artist know beforehand that we are happy, sad or any other emotion?

or will it come out in their art no matter what we do.


"if you dont know feelings, then you cant do art"

i disagree

11:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

-Please use this post. There is one very important change- (a type-o if you will) ((a "we" changed to a "they"))


I think that feelings are a very important part of art and I do understand how they can shape and influence the art we make.

My believe however, is that art can be made without knowledge of your current emotional state. That means to me that if a person wanted to know what the artist felt, then his/her feelings can be extracted from the finished result.

Should the artist know beforehand that they are happy, sad or any other emotion?
or will it come out in their art no matter what we do.

"if you dont know feelings, then you cant do art"

i disagree

11:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

-Please use this post. There is one very important change- (a type-o if you will) ((a "we" changed to a "they"))


I think that feelings are a very important part of art and I do understand how they can shape and influence the art we make.

My believe however, is that art can be made without knowledge of your current emotional state. That means to me that if a person wanted to know what the artist felt, then his/her feelings can be extracted from the finished result.

Should the artist know beforehand that they are happy, sad or any other emotion?
or will it come out in their art no matter what we do.

"if you dont know feelings, then you cant do art"

i disagree

11:49 AM  

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