What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You

Every emotion—even those we tend to avoid, like shame, anger, or anxiety—carries essential wisdom and vital information. These so-called “unwanted” feelings are not flaws to fix or weaknesses to hide; they are powerful sources of energy and insight. As researcher and educator Karla McLaren observes, “Too often, we either suppress our emotions or let them overwhelm us. What most of us were never taught are the foundational skills for truly honoring and understanding our deep, dynamic emotional lives.”

In this updated edition of The Language of Emotions, McLaren moves far beyond simply labeling or managing feelings. She invites us into a deeper relationship with our emotions—teaching us how to listen to their messages, engage with their questions, and integrate their unique wisdom into our everyday lives.

Refined through more than a decade of research, teaching, and real-world application, this edition serves as a trusted, time-tested guide to emotional fluency, offering:

Safe, practical ways to feel and identify emotions—even the most intense or overwhelming ones

Effective practices for working with feelings, including setting healthy boundaries, grounding yourself, and harnessing the healing potential of conscious complaining

Tools to awaken your emotional genius through five core empathy-building skills

Insight into how emotions support trauma recovery and foster resilience

A clear framework for decoding the distinct messages, gifts, and guidance each emotion offers

New to this edition: expanded guidance on navigating anxiety, a thoughtful exploration of loneliness, and additional practices for emotional well-being

This isn’t just a book about emotions—it’s an invitation to reclaim them as allies, teachers, and guides on the path to a more authentic, connected, and wholehearted life.