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A minute to breathe

Box breathing: breathe in for a count of four, hold for four, breathe out for four and hold again. Four rounds, a little over a minute.

Breathe in

Round 1 of 4

Basic emotion

Dislike

This emotion pushes you away from what could harm you: spoiled food, actions that go against your values, people who cross your boundaries. Its mild form, boredom, says that what is happening doesn't nourish you and it is time to change something.

From mild to intense

  1. Boredom

    Mild

    What it signals

    The signal “there's nothing for me here.” Often rises when you're not living by your own values.

    What to do with it

    Boredom isn't the enemy. Ask: what am I doing right now that isn't my choice? And where in my life is there something alive? Sometimes boredom points to more than it seems.

  2. Dislike

    Base

    What it signals

    A moderate “this doesn't fit me.” Often about people, places, actions. An important signal for boundaries.

    What to do with it

    Don't confuse dislike with moral judgment of the other. You don't have to like everything others approve of. Trust this feeling in small doses.

  3. Disgust

    Intense

    What it signals

    A strong “no” at the body level. Signals something that contradicts your deep values or physical safety.

    What to do with it

    You can't argue with disgust. If it's steady, it's a boundary worth respecting. Ask yourself: what exactly is being violated? And what can I stop?

The opposite emotion

Across the wheel stands trust. Opposite feelings are hard to feel at the same time, and one often helps make sense of the other.