Happiness is good—I like feeling happy.

But much of the time my internal state is more complex than one word can contain.

Maybe I’m happy with a hint of malaise or whiff of chagrin or the subtle tang of disquiet.

I may be in the midst of an ineffable unease, and though I can sometimes recount my day and trace such sensations to insufficient sleep or a missed meal or an inharmonious interaction, there are times when I find it’s useful to check in on other, oft under-appreciated dispositions and remind myself of the interwoven elements informing many of the surface-level mood-metrics I tend to more casually consider.

For instance: do I feel strong? Physically and cognitively? Psychologically?

Do I feel capable of doing things, making things, achieving things?

Do I feel healthy?

Does my body generally seem to be working, and does it feel like it’s being well-maintained, nurtured, exposed to valuable, growth-oriented frictions?

Do I feel inspired, in awe, full of wonder? Am I baring myself to stirring stimuli and provocative perspectives?

Am I pushing myself and experiencing a satisfying strain?

Am I grateful for the advantages I’ve had, the things I’ve been fortunate to do and people I’ve been lucky to know?

How am I feeling about my relationships? My things? The space I occupy?

Am I free? Am I liberated? Am I empowered?

Is there reason for hope? Optimism? Relief?

Do I have love for myself, for friends and family, for strangers?

Does it seem like I’m generally moving toward fulfillment and accomplishment? Am I sometimes able to achieve calm and comfort and serenity? Am I capable of sparking and maintaining and pursuing and cultivating interests and enthusiasms and passions?

Are there aspects of my life I enjoy?

Are there aspects of my life I don’t enjoy but find gratifying?

Are there things I want to improve in my life and in the world? Do I feel equal to the task of improving these things?

And how do I feel now, after a more exhaustive, higher resolution assessment?

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