Feeling Wheel
What feeling despair is like
Despair is a complete loss of hope, when it feels like nothing will get better. It can be overwhelming, and it's a feeling to share with someone you trust.
If this feeling has stayed with you for a while, or you feel unsafe, please talk to someone you trust or a doctor. If you're in danger right now, contact your local emergency services.
Despair or bleak?
Despair is a complete loss of hope. Bleak is a grim view of the future that may still leave some room for change. Read more about feeling bleak.
Finding despair on the feelings wheel
On the Feeling Wheel, despair sits in the Sad group. Start in the middle of the wheel with sad, then move outwards to despair. If it's close but not quite right, the other sad words below may fit better. It's also normal to feel more than one thing at once.
Other words in the Sad group
Sad words range from a mild let-down to deep grief and hopelessness.
- Bleak Feeling hopeless or discouraged about the future
- Depressed Feeling deep unhappiness or sadness
- Hurt Feeling emotional pain or distress
- Deflated Feeling temporarily let down or disappointed
- Melancholy Feeling deep, reflective sadness
- Sorrowful Feeling grief or sadness
- Gloomy Feeling pessimistic or downcast
- Discouraged Feeling a loss of confidence or enthusiasm
- Insignificant Feeling unimportant or overlooked
- Broken Feeling deeply emotionally damaged
- Bored Feeling uninterested or weary
- Numb Feeling unable to experience emotions
- Apathetic Feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern
- Empty Feeling a lack of meaning or fulfilment
- Disillusioned Feeling disappointed that reality isn’t as expected
- Miserable Feeling extremely unhappy or uncomfortable
- Disappointed Feeling sad that expectations weren’t met
- Indifferent Feeling no strong pull in any direction
Name what you're feeling
Feeling Wheel puts all 118 of these words on one wheel. Tap the ones that fit, add a note if you like, and see your patterns over time. Free on iPhone and Android.