Tuning in. How to tell what you’re really feeling (and why it matters)

Abstract

Have you ever felt “off” but couldn’t quite explain why? You go about your day with a heaviness in your chest or a tight jaw, but when someone asks what’s wrong, you pause... and genuinely don’t know.

That’s the thing about emotions - they don’t always introduce themselves clearly. Sometimes they sneak in sideways, dressed up as stress, exhaustion, or just being “in a mood.” And unless we stop and tune in, they can end up running the show from backstage.

Learning to recognise what we’re really feeling is one of the most powerful aspects of emotional intelligence - and one of the most overlooked.