I find it useful to put wanting on one scale that runs from hatred to addiction. The same thing can sit anywhere on it depending on the day. The label tells me how much the feeling should be trusted.
| # | Feeling | Level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hatred | -5 | An extreme aversion, often driven by anger or fear. |
| 2 | Aversion | -3 | A strong dislike or unwillingness toward something. |
| 3 | Disinterest | -1 | Lack of interest or motivation. |
| 4 | Neutral | 0 | Neither desire nor aversion; a balanced state. |
| 5 | Simple wish | 1 | A minor want or preference that is easily fulfilled. |
| 6 | Moderate desire | 3 | A meaningful but balanced motivation to reach a goal. |
| 7 | Fixation | 4 | A focused desire that dominates attention but fits the context. |
| 8 | Obsession | 5 | An intrusive, persistent desire that can cause distress. |
| 9 | Addiction | 5 | An uncontrollable desire, often with negative consequences. |
The scale runs separately in each of my three realms: the physical, the emotional, and the intellectual. For the wider vocabulary, see Emotions and Relational States.