Feelings Decoder
This feeling can make your chest feel tight and your thoughts race. It’s not always logical but wants to protect you.
What is anxiety?
Butterflies in your stomach, hands fidgety
What is nervousness or excitement?
This soft, comforting object can help regulate your nervous system.
What is a stuffed animal?
What is monotropism or a special interest?
What is when your brain hyper-focuses on one topic or person.
This helps reset your system and take a moment to yourself. Also a song on IG that's Mrs. Gregory's motto...
What is nap or resting...or go lay down
A hot, spiky feeling that shows up when something feels unfair or out of control.
What is anger?
Your heart is beating fast and your muscles are tense—this might mean you're feeling…
What is anxious or alert?
Holding this cold thing can jolt your system back into the present.
What is ice?
This kind of fuel is low when you’re masking too much or socializing too long. AKA You're all peopled out for the day.
What is social energy?
Petting or playing with this fuzzy friend can calm your nervous system.
What is a dog, cat, or comfort pet?
This emotion may cause tears and often shows up when we feel disconnected or something ends.
What is sadness?
Sweaty palms, shaky voice, shallow breath: your body might be saying...
What is panic or overwhelm?
Writing down your thoughts, even if no one sees it, is a way to release pressure.
What is journaling or writing a letter that you wont send?
This is when your brain can create intense emotional loops about a person even if you don’t know them well.
What is infatuation?
Expressing your feelings through colors, shapes, or movement on paper. What is art or sensory drawing?
What is art or sensory drawing?
This big emotion often happens when we are surprised in an overwhelming way and can freeze us up.
What is fear or panic?
When you’re overwhelmed, your brain might do this thing where it stops and you feel _________.
What is shutdown
These can drown out the noise in your brain and give you a sensory break.
What are headphones or music?
Sometimes when feelings get too big, your brain might go into this state where you can’t talk.
What is shutdown or selective mutism?
This is a practice of letting yourself slowly change, instead of forcing a quick fix.
What is transformation?
This emotion may appear when you think something bad might happen.
What is Worried?
Your body is sending so many signals you can’t tell what’s what—everything’s loud inside.
What emotional flooding or meltdown or crashing out?
A box, bag, or list of things that help you feel calm when emotions are high.
What is a calm kit or sensory box?
Do you have one or would you like to make one?
This is when your brain replays a moment over and over, trying to make sense of it.
What is a rumination loop or replaying a script?
Name three ways you can calm down when your emotions are just too big.