Sentimentality

Exaggerated, indulgent tenderness towards the past.

Family Mixed
Valence positive
Arousal low activation
Intensity Gentle
Opposite Cynicism

Exaggerated, indulgent tenderness towards the past. The body holds this signal first, often before the mind has named what is happening.

Where sentimentality lives in the body

Chest
A faint pull
Quiet
Face
Slight warmth
Quiet

Related emotions

NostalgiaMixed familyWistfulnessSadness familyGentlenessLove familyCynicismThe opposite
A note on this entry: The data on this page (definition, body sensations, valence, arousal, related emotions) reflects a structured reference for sentimentality. 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.