René Descartes—he of “I think, therefore I am” fame—wasn’t just interested in thinking. He also took a long, philosophical look at feeling. Specifically, he identified six core passions that drive human behavior. These passions—wonder, love, hate, desire, joy, and sadness—shape how we experience life, guiding our actions and reactions. Descartes understood that passions can motivate us to build a meaningful life, but they can also overwhelm us if we don’t keep them in check.
What makes this interesting? Knowing that these six passions are universal can help us make peace with our own emotional ups and downs. Understanding them gives us the tools to embrace our feelings authentically—and authenticity, after all, is the foundation of a life well-lived.
The Six Passions According to Descartes
Descartes identified six primary passions that, whether we like it or not, are always at play in our lives. These emotions aren’t something to fear or suppress; they’re here to be acknowledged, explored, and yes—regulated. Let’s break them down:
- Wonder
Wonder is the feeling of being awestruck by something new or unexpected, like the first time you see a bear in real life, or realize how deep the ocean is, or just how many YouTube videos there are on quantum mechanics. Wonder sparks curiosity and keeps you open to new experiences.
Real-life idea: When you feel a sense of wonder, don’t let it fizzle out. Follow your curiosity! Read the book, take the class, ask the questions. Keep that sense of awe alive and let it lead you to new discoveries. - Love
Love, for Descartes, wasn’t just about romance. It’s the deep connection you feel for anything you value—whether it’s a person, a project, or your dog who looks at you like you’re the entire universe.
Real-life idea: Cultivate love by spending more time on the things (or people) that bring you joy. Make a point to reconnect with friends, focus on work that inspires you, or volunteer for a cause close to your heart. Love grows when it’s nurtured. - Hate
While hate sounds negative, Descartes saw it as a protective mechanism. Hate arises when something threatens your well-being or doesn’t align with your values.
Real-life idea: Use hate as a guide for setting boundaries. If something in your life feels draining or toxic, pay attention. Whether it’s a bad habit or an unhealthy relationship, recognize that hate is just pointing you toward what needs to change. - Desire
Desire is the passion that fuels action—it’s that burning need to achieve or obtain something. Whether it’s a promotion, a new skill, or that fancy gadget you’ve had your eye on, desire gets you moving.
Real-life idea: Channel your desires by turning them into goals. What’s something you’ve been wanting? Break it down into steps and start working toward it. Desire becomes more powerful when you act on it. - Joy
Joy is the good stuff—those moments when life feels right, whether it’s a major accomplishment or just the satisfaction of eating your favorite meal. Descartes saw joy as the emotional reward for living authentically.
Real-life idea: Make joy a daily habit. Create small rituals that bring you happiness, like playing your favorite music in the morning, taking a walk in the afternoon, or unwinding with a good book. These little moments add up and help keep joy alive. - Sadness
Sadness is the flip side of joy. But before you write it off as a bummer, sadness is an essential part of growth. It signals that something’s off, giving you a chance to reflect and adjust.
Real-life idea: When sadness hits, don’t try to avoid it. Instead, use it as a moment to slow down and ask yourself what’s not working. Whether it’s a relationship, a job, or an unmet goal, sadness is a guide, not an enemy.
For the Overthinkers and Overfeelers
Now, if you’re someone who tends to overthink or over-feel, these passions can feel like a lot to manage. Maybe you find yourself trapped in endless loops of desire or stuck in the quicksand of sadness. Or maybe you’re constantly bouncing between wonder and frustration, like a mental pinball machine.
For those in the neurodiverse community—especially people with ADHD, autism, or other cognitive differences—emotional regulation can be a major challenge. You might experience these passions at full volume, with little control over when or how they show up. Descartes didn’t exactly cover emotional regulation in his Meditations, but we’ve come a long way since then. So, how do we deal?
Mindfulness to the Rescue
Mindfulness—the practice of being fully present in the moment—can be a game-changer when it comes to emotional regulation, especially for neurodiverse individuals. When your emotions feel overwhelming, mindfulness helps you hit pause, notice what’s happening, and respond rather than react. Think of it as installing a dimmer switch on your passions.
Here’s how mindfulness can help with each of Descartes’ six passions:
- Wonder: When your curiosity is spiraling into overstimulation (like when you suddenly realize it’s 2 a.m. and you’ve spent four hours learning about conspiracy theories), mindfulness can help you slow down and decide if you need a break.
- Love: Mindfulness encourages you to stay present with the people or things you love, appreciating the moment instead of worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.
- Hate: If hate is pushing you toward setting a boundary, mindfulness allows you to assess the situation without reacting impulsively. You can make decisions based on what’s best for your well-being.
- Desire: When desire becomes all-consuming (like, say, when your latest obsession takes over your life), mindfulness can help you evaluate whether the object of your desire is really worth the energy you’re pouring into it.
- Joy: Mindfulness helps you fully savor moments of joy, turning small pleasures into meaningful experiences.
- Sadness: Rather than trying to avoid or numb sadness, mindfulness encourages you to sit with it, allowing the emotion to pass naturally and reveal what it’s trying to tell you.
Embrace Your Passions Authentically
Descartes knew that passion wasn’t something to be feared or suppressed. It’s what makes us human. But living authentically means embracing all of our emotions—good and bad—and finding a way to channel them that aligns with who we truly are. Passion is your guide, not your enemy.
Whether you’re filled with wonder, driven by desire, or even caught in a moment of sadness, these passions are just signposts along the road to authenticity. By acknowledging them, reflecting on how they affect you, and using mindfulness to regulate their intensity, you can live a life that feels more true to who you are.
Passion is powerful. The goal isn’t to eliminate it but to balance it. And remember—whether you’re an overthinker, an overfeeler, or just someone trying to navigate this wild emotional landscape, you’re exactly where you need to be.