Buzz
Lately, I’ve been exploring ways to bring wellness and mental health into my space. One of my best discoveries has been a feelings wheel pillow from Etsy.
“A feelings wheel is a color-coded chart that focuses on primary emotions like sadness, anger, happiness, and anxiety, and then expands them to include secondary emotions,” explained Yara Mawad, a marriage and family therapist from Los Angeles’s Jenna Laski and Associates, in an email to HuffPost. Also referred to as the emotion wheel, this tool “helps people enhance their emotional vocabulary, allowing them to express and communicate their feelings with more precision,” wrote Mawad. The five-pronged feelings wheel was originally created by psychologist Gloria Wilcox in 1982, although other variations exist, such as Robert Plutchik’s octagonal model.
This is where an emotion wheel comes into play. “If you’re struggling with emotions and feeling lost, it can guide you to gain clarity and better understand yourself,” said Ibrahim.
In other words, having a feelings wheel nearby — whether in your space or on you — can boost your awareness of your emotions and provide you with the language to describe your inner experiences. It can also enhance communication, particularly if you’re working on being more assertive and less passive or aggressive, according to Mawad.
Let’s begin with my own pick for the emotions wheel:
1. The practical yet cozy feelings wheel pillow from Etsy.
This makes emotion wheels particularly beneficial for couples facing tough conversations, as well as individuals who have experienced trauma, addiction, or other mental health struggles. Keeping a feelings wheel in your environment can also help children identify and express their emotions. It’s never too early or late to introduce a feelings wheel into your life: “It’s essential to start somewhere,” wrote Ibrahim. “Without understanding our emotions, we can’t know what we truly need.”
In true shopping-writer fashion, I scoured the web for the perfect feelings wheel pillow, and I settled on this detailed one from Etsy. It includes primary, secondary, and tertiary emotions, making it as beautiful as it is functional. The intricate design not only looks fantastic as decor but is also practical enough for daily use. Naturally, it has received plenty of compliments, with friends borrowing it when they visit.
The pillow is incredibly soft — even my cat has claimed it for her afternoon naps — and it features a clever graphic on the back, making it appear just like a stylish throw pillow. It even comes with its own insert, eliminating the hassle of finding one that fits. Plus, it’s machine-washable and has a hidden zipper to keep the pillow fluffy without worrying about the insert slipping out.
You can find it on Etsy from MyCounselorsChoice for $35.91+, available in two sizes.
The reverse side of the Etsy emotions wheel pillow.
This has quickly become one of my favorite pieces of decor, constantly reminding me to check in with myself and my emotions. Over time, the pillow has helped me develop a more precise vocabulary for expressing how I feel — which has led to a deeper understanding of myself, my behaviors, and my choices, and allowed me to treat myself with more kindness. This Etsy feelings pillow has absolutely been worth every penny.
Fortunately, there’s a wide range of other feelings wheel accessories and decor out there. Explore some of our favorites on Etsy and Amazon.
2. A feelings wheel tote bag.
3. Another pillow option available on Etsy.
This feelings wheel showcases basic emotions alongside more specific secondary emotions, providing a gentle introduction to emotion wheels that won’t overwhelm you.
4. An emotions wheel magnet.
This magnet offers a subtle way to bring emotional vocabulary into your home. Simply place it on your fridge, and you can check in with yourself while preparing meals or grabbing a snack. Its central spot will also encourage other family members to do the same.
5. A mouse pad that you can use at work.
Keep this feelings wheel mouse pad at your desk as a reminder to check in with yourself throughout the day, especially during stressful tasks.
6. A set of six vinyl stickers.
7. An emotion wheel keychain.
Carry this keychain with you as a reminder to check in with your emotions during transitions, like when you leave or return home, or before and after driving.
8. A soft, cozy throw blanket.
Drape this charming emotion wheel blanket over your couch, bed, or anywhere you want to add some extra coziness.
9. A vibrant feelings wheel rug.
This high-end rug would be a perfect addition to a common area or a child's room.
The reviews for this post have been shortened and edited for clarity.
