Inadequacy

A painful sense that you are not enough.

Family Self-conscious
Valence negative
Arousal low activation
Intensity Moderate
Opposite Confidence

A painful sense that you are not enough. The body holds this signal first, often before the mind has named what is happening.

Where inadequacy lives in the body

Head
Lightness
Quiet
Chest
Hollow, sunken
Withdrawn
Stomach
A gentle stir
Quiet
Shoulders
Slumped, dropped
Withdrawn

Related emotions

ShameSelf-conscious familyDejectionSadness familyConfidenceThe opposite
A note on this entry: The data on this page (definition, body sensations, valence, arousal, related emotions) reflects a structured reference for inadequacy. A full long-form entry is being added gradually. If you have research, a translation, or a body-mapping correction to suggest, please get in touch.