Feeling Wheel
What feeling inadequate is like
Feeling inadequate means feeling you're not good enough, at work, as a parent, partner or friend. It often comes with comparing yourself to others or to very high standards.
Inadequate or inferior?
Inadequate is not measuring up to what's needed. Inferior is feeling lower than other people. Read more about feeling inferior.
Finding inadequate on the feelings wheel
On the Feeling Wheel, inadequate sits in the Ashamed group. Start in the middle of the wheel with ashamed, then move outwards to inadequate. If it's close but not quite right, the other ashamed words below may fit better. It's also normal to feel more than one thing at once.
Other words in the Ashamed group
Ashamed words are about how you see yourself, often after being judged or after judging yourself.
- Inferior Feeling lower in status or quality than others
- Worthless Feeling without value or purpose
- Embarrassed Feeling awkward or self-conscious
- Insecure Feeling uncertain or lacking confidence
- Weak Feeling lacking in strength or ability
- Ridiculed Feeling mocked or laughed at
- Insulted Feeling offended by someone's words or actions
- Mocked Feeling made fun of or ridiculed
- Humiliated Feeling publicly shamed or made to feel foolish
- Guilty Feeling responsible or remorseful for a wrong or mistake
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.