“Word Nerd Wednesday” is a weekly series that uses language to help us think differently and solve old problems in new ways.
While checking the definition of emotion in the dictionary I came across the word “emollient”*. It struck me as the perfect word for today.
As fall and winter arrive we’ll look for ways to soothe and soften chapped skin, but the more urgent need seems to be a psychological emollient. If your emotions are feeling intense or harsh, step away and do something that soothes your spirit.
If you’re open to it, share your favorite emollient activity. Is it reading? Baking? Cooking? Dancing? Painting? Photograhy? Writing? Playing with your kids? Singing? Gardening? The possibilities are endless!
* Fun feature: When you look up a word at m-w.com there’s a section on the definition page with words that appear near it in the physical dictionary. That’s how I found emollient.
