Admiration is a positive emotional state characterized by respect, appreciation, and a sense of wonder towards someone or something. It often arises when we encounter qualities or achievements that inspire us. Admiration typically has a moderate level of arousal, making it feel both uplifting and energizing. According to the Geneva Emotion Wheel, admiration sits at a valence of 0.6 and an arousal of 0.2, indicating a strongly positive but not overly intense emotion. It also involves a sense of control at 0.3, suggesting that we feel empowered by our admiration rather than overwhelmed.

Using Inner

Using Inner, you can track patterns of admiration to understand when and why it arises. Pay attention to the physical sensations that accompany this emotion, such as a warm feeling in your chest or a sense of lightness. You can also explore how admiration influences your behavior, whether it motivates you to improve yourself or inspires you to support others. If you find yourself struggling with feelings of inadequacy, use Inner to reframe these thoughts by focusing on the positive aspects that admiration brings.

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Common Triggers

→Witnessing exceptional skills or talents
→Seeing acts of kindness or compassion
→Learning about significant achievements
→Reading inspiring stories or biographies
→Experiencing beautiful art or performances
→Meeting someone who has overcome challenges

Physical Sensations

•Warm feeling in the chest
•Lightness in the body
•Increased heart rate
•Smiling or open facial expression
•Uplifting sense of energy
•Desire to learn more

Working with This Emotion

Recognize

Admiration can be recognized through a warm, uplifting feeling in the chest, a smile or open facial expression, and an increased sense of energy. You might also feel a strong desire to learn more about the person or thing you admire.

Understand

Common causes of admiration include witnessing exceptional skills, acts of kindness, or significant achievements. It can also arise from learning about someone's journey or overcoming challenges.

Label

To label admiration accurately, consider what sets it apart from similar emotions like respect or awe. Admiration often involves a personal connection and a sense of inspiration that motivates you to improve yourself.

Express

Healthy ways to express admiration include sharing your feelings with the person you admire, writing them a note of appreciation, or using their example as motivation to pursue your own goals.

Regulate

If admiration feels overwhelming, try grounding techniques like deep breathing or focusing on the present moment. You can also channel this energy into productive activities that align with your values.

Practical Examples