The Big 6 Negative Emotions

Do you see tendencies in yourself to avoid, dismiss, or get swallowed up by certain emotions? We’re designed to learn how to manage our big 6 negative emotions and return to joy and peace amidst feeling them. Learning and maturing this skill increases your capacity to experience and spread joy! 

FEAR: Perception of danger or harm, whether real or imagined

1. When do you experience it? 

2. What does it feel like in your body? 

3. What are your “old” coping patterns?

4. How do you manage it healthily? 

ANGER: Feelings of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility, often arising from frustration, perceived injustice, or feeling wronged

1. When do you experience it? 

2. What does it feel like in your body?

3. What are your “old” coping patterns?  

4. How do you manage it healthily? 

SADNESS: Negative feeling characterized by unhappiness, sorrow, or loss

1. When do you experience it? 

2. What does it feel like in your body?

3. What are your “old” coping patterns?  

4. How do you manage it healthily? 

HOPELESS DESPAIR: An emotional state characterized by a complete absence of hope and a feeling that things will never improve

1. When do you experience it? 

2. What does it feel like in your body? 

3. What are your “old” coping patterns?

4. How do you manage it healthily? 

SHAME: Toxic shame is a painful emotion characterized by a belief that one is flawed and unworthy of love and belonging, leading to feelings of embarrassment, inadequacy, and a desire to hide. Healthy shame is focused on specific actions causing a sense of embarrassment and sense of “these people aren't glad to be with me or im not glad to be with myself right now”  

1. When do you experience it? 

2. What does it feel like in your body?

3. What are your “old” coping patterns?  

4. How do you manage it healthily? 

DISGUST: Intense feeling of revulsion or strong dislike, often experienced in response to something considered offensive, unpleasant, or potentially harmful

1. When do you experience it? 

2. What does it feel like in your body? 

3. What are your “old” coping patterns?

4. How do you manage it healthily?  

 Resource adapted from THRIVEtoday.org 

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: the old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”

2 Corinthians 5:17