Arete Minds

Anxiety is a threat-anticipation emotion—your body preparing for something that might go wrong. It can sharpen awareness, but it can also push the nervous system into a constant “on” state.

Calm is a steady, settled state where your body feels safe and your mind feels clearer. It supports recovery, focus, and connection.

Confidence is a positive self-activation emotion. It supports action, learning, and resilience by strengthening the sense of “I can handle this.”

Depression is a prolonged low-energy state that can affect motivation, focus, sleep, appetite, and hope. It is not laziness—your system may be depleted and needs support and small steps.

Excitement is a high-energy positive emotion. It can feel amazing, and it can also make the body buzzy—sometimes you need a little grounding to stay balanced.

Fear is the body’s survival response to danger. It prioritizes safety and quick action, and it can change breathing, heart rate, and attention very fast.

Frustration is the feeling of being blocked from a goal. It often mixes effort + stress, and can show up as irritability, tension, and a strong urge to fix what is not working.

Grief is a natural response to loss. It can come in waves, and it affects the body as much as the mind—often bringing heaviness, fatigue, and a need for gentleness.

Guilt is the discomfort that comes from feeling you did something wrong or hurt someone. It can be a sign of care and values, and it often comes with a desire to repair.

Joy is a positive, energizing emotion that comes from pleasure, connection, or meaning. It often increases motivation, openness, and curiosity.

Love is an emotion of warmth, bonding, and connection. It often supports safety, calm, and closeness with others or with yourself.

Overwhelm happens when there is too much input or too many demands at once. The goal is not to solve everything—just to find one small next step.

Sadness is a low-energy emotion that often follows disappointment, separation, or unmet needs. It can slow the body down and signal a need for rest, comfort, or support.

Self-identity is the ongoing sense of who you are—your values, traits, and story. It can feel confusing during change, and it often grows through exploration and reflection.

Self-worth is the steady belief that you matter and have value, even when things are hard. It supports stability, boundaries, and healthier self-talk.

Shame is a painful self-focused emotion that can make you want to hide or withdraw. It often shows up with self-criticism and a strong urge to disappear or become smaller.