The hottest Emotions Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Tuesday night dinner

What Do We Do Now That We're Here? • 2408 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. Finding moments of presence in everyday life can create special experiences, like enjoying dinner while listening to film scores. It's important to appreciate these small, joyful moments before they become memories.
  2. Film scores can evoke strong emotions and help connect with deeper feelings. They can change a regular evening into something meaningful simply through music.
  3. Building community and connection is crucial for emotional support. It helps both parents and lonely individuals find joy and purpose together.

A Hopeless Introvert's Guide to Hopeful Public Speaking

Unmapped Storylands with Elif Shafak • 8650 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
📚 Literature Emotions
  1. Perception matters. If you view public speaking as a burden, it will feel heavy to you. But seeing it as a chance to connect can change everything.
  2. Being imperfect is okay. People come to listen to your stories, not to see a perfect image. Your genuine self is what really matters.
  3. Remember, the audience is part of the conversation too. We all share this confusing world, so it's important to connect and share our questions together.

The Ick List

Many Such Cases • 2877 implied HN points • 27 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. Desire can be confusing and change quickly. People might feel attracted to someone one moment and then completely turned off the next because of small things.
  2. The feeling called 'the ick' can stop attraction suddenly for many, especially women, making it hard for them to stay interested in someone for minor reasons.
  3. Labeling minor annoyances as 'icks' can lead to unrealistic expectations in dating. It's often better to relax and not take these little things too seriously.

Whatever happens, do not cry in the conference room

Wondering Freely • 853 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Emotions
  1. In academia, showing emotions is often discouraged. People learn to hide their feelings and act confident even when they feel insecure.
  2. Criticism can be harsh in academic settings, making it hard to respond without getting upset. Many people try to maintain composure despite feeling overwhelmed.
  3. It's important to find a balance between professionalism and emotional expression. Emotions can be valuable in understanding and engaging with philosophical ideas.

Beyond toxic positivity

Granted • 16412 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions
  1. In tough times, merely promoting positivity doesn't help people cope; it's important to acknowledge and support them through their pain.
  2. Strength comes from being genuinely supported, not from pretending everything is always okay.
  3. It's essential to strike a balance between recognizing difficult emotions and maintaining a sense of hope for the future.
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the disorientation of freedom

bookbear express • 688 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. Saying the right words or meaning well doesn’t guarantee someone will respond the same way; intentions aren’t the same as actions.
  2. People change at their own pace, and you can support them but you can’t force them; accepting that freedom is disorienting and sometimes painful.
  3. A long-term view can be comforting because people often change over years, and love can persist even when language falls short.

The remarkably talented and alienated late Millennial man

Jeff Giesea • 4591 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. Late Millennial men are often seen as talented and intelligent, but beneath the surface, many struggle with feelings of loneliness and alienation. They want to find their place in a complicated world.
  2. They face unique challenges in today's society, including high expectations and a cultural environment that feels unfriendly to traditional masculinity and ambition. This can lead to frustration and confusion.
  3. Despite their struggles, these men desire understanding and empathy. They want to be acknowledged for their feelings while also seeking guidance on how to succeed and feel fulfilled.

How to Be Human

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 496 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. It’s natural to feel hopeless when AI looks like it will automate creative and skilled work, making learning or improving feel pointless.
  2. That shift can also be an opportunity — when fewer people choose to be fully human, deliberately being one becomes more valuable.
  3. Being human means doing what AI can’t: get out into the world, say yes to experiences, and allow yourself to feel fear, excitement, discomfort, and physical life.

Samwise's Blood Test: A Wake-up Call

Tom Ryan, Author • 11891 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions
  1. Age affects dogs faster than humans, leading to a realization of limited time for trips and adventures.
  2. A dog's aging process can serve as a reminder to cherish the present moments and appreciate the time spent together.
  3. The bond between pets and their owners deepens with time, creating concern for the future and the inevitable challenges it may bring.

Story Thirty-Nine

Stories From The Rail • 2336 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions
  1. Preparing for death involves taking care of paperwork and tiny details for loved ones.
  2. In the face of death, what truly matters is that loved ones know they were cherished.
  3. Living fully in the present becomes paramount when facing the reality of limited time.

Optimism, The Last Taboo

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7640 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. Toxic positivity is when people insist on being positive all the time, even when it's unhealthy. This can make others' real feelings feel ignored or invalidated.
  2. While being optimistic can have its benefits, too much emphasis on it can create pressure to always seem happy. This can cause people to feel more isolated or misunderstood.
  3. Society often rewards positive attitudes, but this can also lead to tension when genuine emotions are brushed aside. It's important to balance positivity with real empathy.

A Story About Pain

The Audacity. • 10770 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. The post discusses women, pain, and the struggle to be heard
  2. The author, Aubrey Hirsch, shares personal stories through writing and illustrations
  3. Aubrey Hirsch's work has been featured in various publications like The New York Times and TIME

Crushing on the singer or rock star

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 419 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
🎶 Music Emotions
  1. It's normal to crush on musicians and rock stars. They create strong feelings in us through their art, and it feels like we connect with them on a deeper level.
  2. People often confuse their feelings for the artist with feelings for the person. We get swept up in the emotions their work brings out in us.
  3. Many of us don't pay enough attention to each other. When someone really listens, it makes us feel seen and loved, leading to these intense crushes.

'Are Men Capable of Full Intimacy?'

Ask Polly • 3970 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. Don't see your emotions as a liability when dating; be authentic from the start.
  2. True intimacy involves accepting the real person without embellishments or illusions.
  3. Being fully alive in a relationship means accepting imperfections and embracing honesty.

How to write

Striking 13 • 2475 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
📚 Literature Emotions
  1. Writing is about being in touch with your feelings and having confidence in sharing them.
  2. Good non-fiction writing starts with curiosity and understanding that everything can be interesting if approached correctly.
  3. Boredom and frustration when writing is a guide to improve the content for readers by finding ways to present information in engaging ways.

The psychology of midlife

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 6689 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions
  1. The midlife transition is a period of questioning and self-discovery, often coinciding with perimenopause, leading to existential angst and a search for meaning.
  2. Emotional correlates of the midlife transition can include a decline in happiness, aimlessness, self-doubt, boredom, and concerns about aging and death.
  3. Navigating the midlife transition involves embracing the challenges and exploring synchronicities, dreams, and solitude to find a new story and purpose in life.

You can't be too happy, literally

Experimental History • 21278 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions
  1. People tend to stay at the same level of happiness over time, despite major events happening around them.
  2. Research shows that individuals adjust to both good and bad situations, aiming to maintain a balance in their emotions like a thermostat.
  3. The mind has control systems like a furnace and an air conditioner that help modulate mood levels to prevent extreme states of sadness or euphoria.

NOTICING BLIZZARDS

Entering The Lung • 3105 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Emotions
  1. The author reflects on missing a friend and dealing with grief.
  2. The author enjoys blizzards and finds inspiration in snow-covered landscapes.
  3. The author discusses feelings of anger towards the world and rejects the idea of using pain as a muse in creative work.

I Had to Say Something at My Son's Wedding

The Honest Broker • 17819 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Emotions
  1. The author struggled to find the right passage to read at his son's wedding and ultimately turned to a Kierkegaard text he had read at his own wedding many years ago.
  2. The author found sentimental value in the passage, realizing its deeper meaning as he read it in 2024, bringing a new perspective to his understanding of marriage.
  3. By revisiting a piece of paper he saved from years ago, the author was able to share a touching and meaningful passage with the wedding guests, connecting past and present moments.

A Perfect Ending

JoeBlogs • 3419 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Emotions
  1. The author writes the ending of their essays first and then works backward to build up to it
  2. Great endings should make the reader feel the emotions and journey that led to that point
  3. The World Baseball Classic had an unforgettable ending that was emotionally overwhelming

Ave Maria

Disaffected Newsletter • 2058 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Emotions
  1. Music can deeply affect our emotions and memories, often making us cry or feel overwhelmed, especially during special times like Christmas.
  2. Personal experiences, such as family traditions and moments of wonder, can leave a lasting impact and means of connection to our past.
  3. There's a desire for beauty and meaning in traditions, even if one doesn't fully believe in them, showing that these feelings are universal.

Mixed feelings

Austin Kleon • 2517 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. It's normal to feel two emotions at once, and that's okay. We all have mixed feelings about things in life.
  2. Kids can learn a lot from shows like Daniel Tiger, especially about understanding emotions and complex feelings.
  3. Adults often struggle more with these feelings, and it's important to practice dealing with emotions rather than ignoring them.

Midlife women feel like screaming

The Shift With Sam Baker • 2556 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions
  1. Midlife women may feel overwhelmed and frustrated, leading to a need to let out pent-up emotions, like anger and exhaustion.
  2. Suppressed rage and unexpressed feelings can build up over time and negatively impact mental well-being.
  3. Making friends can be challenging for some individuals, causing feelings of desperation and inadequacy in social situations.

So I cried at the dentist...

David Spinks' Newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. Boys and men are taught to hide tears and see crying as weakness, so many people hold emotions in to protect their masculinity.
  2. Letting tears and feelings out can be cathartic and makes you feel clearer and stronger, because emotional expression often signals safety.
  3. Changing how we view masculinity could help address harms rooted in patriarchy, but crying alone isn’t enough — it must be paired with ownership and real behavioral change.

Cloud Tears

Seven Senses • 339 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. Many people feel heightened emotions while flying, which often leads to crying. This can happen due to the circumstances of travel or the effects of being at high altitudes.
  2. The environment on a plane can create a space for reflection and emotional release, making it feel like a unique time for personal processing.
  3. Flying reminds us of our lack of control in life, as we depend on others and external factors. It can be a moment of realization about our place in the universe.

A Sadness That Holds Hope For Joy

The Recovering Academic • 1108 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions
  1. The author's experience in academia made him doubt his profession and himself, leading to a significant shift in his life.
  2. The transition out of academia was filled with sadness and nostalgia, but also led to new beginnings and hope for the future.
  3. The recovery process involved accepting personal truths, finding support in others with similar experiences, and rediscovering joy after difficult times.

Emotions, American Dream, Self-Esteem

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1041 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Emotions
  1. Liberals and conservatives view vulnerability differently; liberals often see a clear divide between the oppressed and oppressors, while conservatives see everyone as equally susceptible to hardship. This affects their moral judgments.
  2. Holocaust deniers generally have lower IQs compared to the average population, suggesting a link between intelligence and acceptance of historical facts.
  3. People with fragile self-esteem often misinterpret social interactions as hostile or negative, making it hard for them to build and keep healthy relationships.

feel your feelings

Mind Mine • 1336 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions
  1. As adults, we tend to intellectualize our feelings instead of just feeling them, which can be detrimental.
  2. Emotions are not rational; it is important to acknowledge and address them genuinely.
  3. Feeling your feelings fully is the most mature and effective way to navigate through them.

A Search for Vulnerability in Photography

In the Flash • 2038 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Emotions
  1. Photography can serve as a shield to hide personal fears and insecurities, but writing can bring out vulnerability more easily.
  2. Starting a newsletter allowed the author to express intimate thoughts and emotions that were hard to convey through photography.
  3. Transitioning from amateur to professional photography can lead to a loss of personal storytelling and a shift towards voyeuristic work.