The List: All the Feels: Every emotion ranked from worst to best
72. Worry
It's that rare combination of an emotion that's both cripplingly powerful and utterly worthless.
71. Shame
Particularly that of the religious variety.
70. Suffering
Although some people sure seem to enjoy it.
69. Annoyance
There's a lot of great "negative" feelings, but this one ranks so low on the scale, like, what's the point?
68. Embarrassment
Because no one can make you feel as awkward as you.
67. Despair
It's the absence of hope, which you will see much higher on this list.
66. Envy
You can't always get what you want.
65. Anguish
Some of the members of the Sad Family have benefits, but this one is pretty much just pain.
64. Contempt
If you think you're better than someone that probably means you aren't.
63. Apathy
That weird emotion that is really just the lack of better ones.
62. Hysteria
What happens when emotions fly off the rails. Also a great Def Leppard album.
61. Hostility
What's your problem, bro?
60. Frustration
I have an ex-girlfriend who pronounced this "fustration," which was, in and of itself, pretty frustrating.
59. Depression
It really is the worst feeling, but it's also motivated some great art over the years.
58. Disappointment
That's what you get for having hopes and dreams.
57. Jealousy
Similar to envy, but ranked higher because of that sweet Gin Blossoms song.
56. Panic
Don't.
55. Horror
It's fun when it's a movie theater. Less so when you're being chased by a bear.
54. Rage
"Anger is a gift." - Rage Against the Machine
53. Regret
It's best if you can prevent this in advance, because it's the worst.
52. Hatred
Haters gonna hate. And good for them.
51. Dread
It's like fear, only in advance of the thing you are actually afraid of, so yay for that.
50. Sorrow
There sure are a lot of kinds of sad, huh?
49. Fear
Usually a negative thing that keeps you from reaching your potential, but sometimes it also keeps you from being eaten by bears, so it's not all bad.
48. Anxiety
Nothing quite like constant irrational fears to keep you going through the day.
47. Boredom
Boring.
46. Indifference
Meh.
45. Disgust
It's what kept you from enjoying Brussels sprouts, and you were wrong about that. Admit it.
44. Distrust
It's not fun, but sometimes it's right.
43. Loneliness
It's weird that a feeling can run so deep and be so wrong. You are never alone. Even when you're pooping.
42. Grief
A deep sadness, but often an important one. If you need to feel grief, let yourself.
41. Outrage
There's so much of the faux variety going around, but a little genuine outrage can be a great motivator for change.
40. Guilt
It's only worthwhile if it helps make you a better person. It's a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to stay.
39. Shock
Not a great feeling, but it least it doesn't last.
38. Loathing
It's hatred, but at least it's passionate.
37. Surprise
Bet you didn't expect this to be in the middle of this list!
36. Pride
It can be a good thing, but it's also easy to have too much of it.
35. Desire
Can be good or bad, depending on what you do with it. Also a great Meg Myers song.
34. Interest
It's the right-swipe of emotions.
33. Zest
It's a feeling. And also a soap.
32. Schadenfreude
It's really not cool to take pleasure in the misfortune of others, but this is such a cool word for it.
31. Pity
Take it from Mr. T.
30. Hurt
It's going to happen. It just shows you've got feelings. No worries.
29. Curiosity
Ranked lower if you're a cat.
28. Wonder
It's wonderful, but we can do better.
27. Confidence
It's that feeling only a great deodorant can provide.
26. Shyness
It's nice, but it can stop you from doing all the things in life you'd like to.
25. Arousal
Bow-chicka-wow-wow …
24. Affection
Even better when it's in private.
23. Satisfaction
Pairs nicely with smugness.
22. Excitement
OMG!
21. Lust
Whether it's for another person or just for life, it's pure and primal, which is pretty cool.
20. Zeal
It's like the 5-Hour Energy of emotions.
19. Self-confidence
This is a good thing, as long as it's real. Beware of people who project their own insecurities as a hyper-ized self-confidence.
18. Ecstasy
Such a sweet feeling they made a drug for it.
17. Courage
As long as it's not around bears.
16. Relief
That great feeling that comes along when the ones you were worried about did not.
15. Remorse
Of all the guilty feelings, this is the one most likely to actually have a good outcome going forward.
14. Euphoria
It's an intense happy, not a sustainable one, but it's fun while it lasts.
13. Pleasure
It's the low-grade happiness we take in so many things.
12. Awe
This one goes away far too often in grown-ups, but you should be in awe almost every day if you think about it.
11. Angst
It's the teenager of emotions. It's not a good feeling, but it's such great fuel.
10. Anger
It's important that you keep it in check and don't let it take over your life, but it's also why we have Slayer.
9. Hope
So many feelings are stuck in the past or focused on the present. This one is about the future.
8. Contentment
Our desire to constantly better ourselves is worthwhile, but it also devalues the ability to be in a moment and realize you have everything you need to be happy.
7. Trust
This one is delicate and hard to rebuild when it's broken, but it's pretty great when it's there, huh?
6. Gratitude
This is one that goes underrated. You can never have too much of this.
5. Joy
This is the highest on the happy scale, most often experienced by children and those who remember what it's like to be one.
4. Passion
Whatever it's applied to, it makes it better.
3. Sadness
An important lesson you should have learned from Mister Rogers: It's OK to feel sad sometimes. If you don't let yourself feel sad, it comes out as something even worse. Plus, sad songs are great.
2. Happiness
It's simple enough, but it's also our natural and intended state. Sometimes all you have to do is allow yourself to feel it.
1. Love
The Beatles were right. It really is all you need.