šæ How Do We Measure Emotional Health? Try the Radar Wheel! šæ
- Karen Gowans
- Mar 26
- 2 min read
Emotional health isnāt just a feelingāitās a full-body, whole-life experience.Yet so many of us rarely pause to truly check in with ourselves. We might say āIām fineā or āsomething feels off,ā but do we actually know which parts of our emotional life are calling out for attention?
I remember a time when I couldnāt even name what I was feelingāand it left me unsettled. That disconnection from myself became the catalyst for a deeper journey inward. I began asking whyĀ I felt this way, and more importantly, howĀ I could find my way back to myself.
Thatās when I created the Emotional Health Radar Wheelāa simple, yet powerful tool that emerged from my own search for clarity. It was inspired by the insights of experts like BrenĆ© Brown, whose book Atlas of the HeartĀ helped me find the language I didnāt even know I was missing.
This is my personal versionāa strong and meaningful starting point for self-reflection. Experts use anywhere from 4 to 27 emotional categories, but Iāve found that simplicityĀ often has the deepest impact. What matters most is that it gets you reflecting, reconnecting, and gently tuning in to whatās true for you.
š What It Is
This gentle self-assessment invites you to map your emotional well-being across six core feelings:š Happinessš Sadnessš§” Anxietyā¤ļø Angerš Calmnessš Empathy
āļø How It Works
In each section of the wheel, place a dot and number from 1 to 5.
A dot near the centerĀ means the feeling needs more attention.
A dot near the edgeĀ means youāre managing it well.
Connect the dots to create your personal āemotional snapshotāāa visual blueprint showing where you're thriving and where a little more care or curiosity might be needed.
š” Why It Works
š ClarityĀ ā When you can seeĀ your emotional patterns, itās easier to respond to them.š§ AwarenessĀ ā Naming your feelings is the first step toward meaningful change.š°ļø ActionĀ ā This insight helps you realign your time and energy with the emotions you want to nurture.
šæ Ready to Try It?
Grab a pen and sketch your own wheelāor download the worksheet (coming soon!). I started by checking in weekly, then shifted to monthly as it became a natural part of my rhythm.
Itās a simple way to track your emotional growth and witness the shifts over time.
Because emotional balance isnāt about being perfectāitās about tuning in, making small adjustments, and taking intentional steps toward peace, connection, and joy.
Trust yourself and begin your path to deeper emotional awareness today - you're worth it!

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