Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

How can I deal with feelings I can't find words to express?

323 Answers
Last Updated: 08/24/2021 at 12:38pm
How can I deal with feelings I can't find words to express?
★ This question about Managing Emotions was starred by a moderator on 5/12/2016.
1 Tip to Feel Better
Greece
Moderated by

Johanna Liasides, MSc, PhDc

Psychologist

I work with youth and young adults to help them improve depressive symptoms and self-esteem as well as effectively address family, relationship and peer conflicts.

Top Rated Answers
PriscilaOrellana
November 12th, 2014 2:36am
No everybody express the feelings with words, you have to find the best way for you no matter what is it... you have to find how express yourself in the way you feel amazing with what you're doing.
dreamCat9335
June 24th, 2020 6:24pm
Sometimes you might be feeling an emotion that is not happiness, sadness, anger or anxiety. You don't know how to put your negative emotions into words when you are sharing your concerns and conflicts with someone. People might resort to self-harm under these circumstances as they want to distract themselves from the negative feelings they are unable to express. They prefer to keep it to themselves, an unhelpful coping mechanism they probably learnt as children when their parents were too busy to notice their emotional state. Regardless, there are better ways to express the feelings you can't explain despite rummaging your brain's inbuilt dictionary. The next time this happens, refer to a feelings wheel or on the other hand, try drawing the emotion you are feeling. Therapeutic colouring, mindfulness meditation and journaling can work as well. The important thing is not necessarily being able to define your feeling, but to express it with healthy coping mechanisms as aforementioned.
emmynems
November 3rd, 2014 10:37pm
For me, when I have a hard time expressing exactly what I'm feeling, I try and talk around the situation in general. I try and figure what's making me feel the way I do, whether I have a word for what I'm feeling or not. It helps you identify your problem, and it's a good way to reason out your feelings.
n3verg1veUp
September 20th, 2014 11:00pm
I'm not the type to express my emotions in person because I'm always worried about offending and/or hurting the person. Therefore, I find it really difficult to say words that are on my mind. Recently, I decided to write my thoughts on a journal and my friend often suggested that even when I'm afraid, it's best to be honest to the person and tell him/her what bothers me, especially if that individual is important to me. I would like to point out that the words we want to say to someone never comes out the exact same way. But at the end of the day, what matters is the fact that you can step up and be honest to the person you care about. I would strongly suggest not to think ahead of time and just go with the flow.
Anonymous
November 7th, 2014 6:19pm
Act as you feel and then youll find right words. Act as you feel and then youll find right words; act first, think then.
javalent
October 27th, 2014 6:45am
You don't always need to express your feelings with words. Based on my own experience, when I want to deal with feelings which has made me speechless I'd express them physically. Either it's exercising, singing, dancing, or eating. Somewhere in the middle of it I'll finally comprehend what I'm really feeling.
RaduMemete
November 4th, 2014 1:53pm
Take a sheet of paper or start a diary. Every time you feel worse, type down everything is in your mind, everything you feel right at the moment: thoughts, sensations, physical symptoms. You will be able to understand more clearly what is going on in your mind when you will have it written on a paper.
mjanewatson
October 29th, 2014 2:38pm
Expressing feelings with words can be hard sometimes. When we don't know exactly the way we feel. You don't necessarly have to put your feeings into words.
Jagannathadasa
September 11th, 2014 3:34am
Breathe consciously. Feel my feet on the ground. Ask myself a few questions: Is this a familiar feeling? When did I notice it? Right now, what do I need? Who do I wish was here? By asking these questions I am turning my attention to what I need and value at the moment. The feelings I experience will likely become clearer, or more managable when my basic needs are being met.
EmilijaS
October 5th, 2014 12:58pm
Sometimes dealing with feelings is just very hard. I've had this thing that crying is the best, but only for beginning, I'd say. NEVER, ever keep it for yourself please. Try to write your problems, don't find the right words, but write something very random just to put it on paper, as you write the right words will come. Hug someone. People know that when you don't have words to express your sadness you only hug them and they instantly know to say ''Are you better?'' and you will feel save and secure. You don't need to talk, because when you ask for help and talk with someone and you really don't know what is happening and how to explain it, you will be asked question that will bring the right words and picture of the event.
SrtaStonem9
October 21st, 2014 12:05am
You can try to find an alternative activity, such as drawing, or music, sometimes we can find help in these things I think.
Apple74
November 12th, 2014 8:59am
Such feelings remain hidden in your sub conscious mind. They start to affect your day to day life and you feel anger/hatred/fear and other emotions even when situation does not require you to act in this way. Always ask your self why you feel this way, what do you want at the moment, what can help you right now and what will make it worse. Look inside and keep looking for answers. Express yourself through sports, art, etc.
MissionPossible
September 21st, 2014 3:43pm
I spent my whole life trying to articulate what I was feeling. Thus, I read books, watched films, researched numerous articles, and talked to many people to see how others expressed themselves. I learned something in the process; they all learned to use language to their advantage and had a high level of self-awareness.
Anonymous
November 8th, 2014 4:08pm
I understand sometimes you come across a vast number of feelings and emotions at the same time and it can seem hard to put it into words. What usually helps me is journaling them or writing them down [maybe as a letter that you can share with the person concerned].
jennynenny143
November 11th, 2014 2:55am
Try writing them down. Weather it's a letter to yourself, a blog, or an unsaved document in Microsoft Word... Taking the time to fully express your feelings to yourself can leave you feeling at ease.
Anonymous
March 29th, 2015 12:49pm
Sometimes the best way to express your feelings it through something other than words. For example, drawing or listening to music.
PeaceTrain
November 10th, 2014 7:37am
Try to find the right people to talk with. Well, don't go talking about them to just anybody, but talking with listeners at 7 Cups of Tea will probably help you in such situations.
peachicus
November 4th, 2014 11:26pm
If you struggle dealing with these emotions try writing how you feel or write about the situation that gives you these emotions it may help you understand them better :)
jennimarie
October 24th, 2014 6:29pm
There are many different ways to express your feelings. I often express my feelings through impromptu dancing or painting. Often if i need to identify my feelings ill go spend time in nature and clear my head from lifes everyday turmoil.
Anonymous
October 29th, 2014 6:58pm
Try writing them down, writing always helped me. Put yourself into another person (someone fake's) shoes. Use them to tell your story, your feelings will eventually come out through the words you've written.
Anonymous
October 29th, 2014 12:07pm
Find other ways to express these feelings. Music, art, and drama are all very common and effective ways of doing so.
Alouette
October 10th, 2014 6:26pm
You may need to look for the source of these feelings. When did they seem to begin?
Anonymous
October 29th, 2014 3:55am
I find art or physical activity to be helpful. Drawing can convey such powerful thoughts and emotions without ever having to say a word.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2014 3:48am
a lot of people paint or do other arts to express themselves. i have found that writing slam poetry has really helped me express things that i normally can't. some of my friends paint to do that
Seremonia
October 23rd, 2014 3:28pm
Try to catch the image of it, then play with it, and say it with images and describe it like a scenario. Soon, you and them could catch a little bit closer to the feeling behind it.
Anonymous
November 3rd, 2014 6:49am
Other mediums exist which may be more suitable to help you express more complicated feelings. The arts (such as painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.) are often useful, as is music and its composition.
WalkingInTheValley
October 6th, 2014 10:15am
Sometimes art can be a great outlet! You don't necessarily have to be artistic either; just making big slashes of colour or using stick figures can be very therapeutic. Otherwise, exercise can be a great way to relieve a build up of emotion!
laladychan
November 8th, 2014 8:19am
Você pode usar algum outro talento. Tente os desenhos, os poemas e poesias, ou até mesmo aquela letra de música que tanto combina com o que você sente.
Mayaisthename
November 15th, 2014 5:53pm
That's always really hard to do,you should never have to deal with them, get help so you feel better
iamjess
October 31st, 2014 11:41am
Draw them on paper or find pictures that explain how you feel then make a collage, scrapbook, wall decor etc. of them all.