Feeling Wheel

Joyful · a word on the feelings wheel

Feeling hopeful

Feeling optimistic about the future.

What feeling hopeful is like

Feeling hopeful means believing something good could still happen, even when it hasn't yet. It often shows up in hard times, after a setback or while you wait for news.

Hopeful or optimistic?

Hope is about a specific good outcome you want. Optimism is a broader expectation that things in general will turn out well. Read more about feeling optimistic.

Finding hopeful on the feelings wheel

On the Feeling Wheel, hopeful sits in the Joyful group. Start in the middle of the wheel with joyful, then move outwards to hopeful. If it's close but not quite right, the other joyful words below may fit better. It's also normal to feel more than one thing at once.

Other words in the Joyful group

Joyful words cover the bright, energised end of the wheel, from quiet hope to full-on elation.

  • Elated Feeling extremely happy and excited
  • Jubilant Feeling triumphant and full of joy
  • Playful Feeling lighthearted and fun
  • Ecstatic Feeling overwhelming happiness and delight
  • Excited Feeling enthusiastic and energised
  • Optimistic Feeling positive about outcomes
  • Eager Looking forward to something with enthusiasm
  • Courageous Feeling brave and ready to face difficulty or pain
  • Nourished Feeling emotionally supported and strengthened
  • Inspired Feeling motivated to create or act meaningfully
  • Vindicated Feeling justified or rewarded for actions
  • Amused Finding something entertaining or funny
  • Amazed Feeling wonder and amazement

See all 118 feelings wheel words

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.