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feelings: activated

a zine exploring emotions through code and care

Welcome

I find humans confusing. I find feelings and emotions confusing too. I often cannot name which one I'm feeling or how to recognise them. But living in a human world, I need to be able to navigate the complexity of feelings and everything they bring.

Feelings are beautiful. They can be painful and make you vulnerable, but they are still beautiful. I want to explore that beauty in a way that makes sense — by combining the mechanical language of machines with the emotional language of being human.

How to use this zine

This zine is not a guidebook or a manual. You don’t have to read it front to back. You can flip to any page. You can stay with one emotion for a week. You can fold it up and carry it like a secret decoder for being human.

There are two types of code in here: pseudo-code (just for fun, metaphorical) and actual code (interactive, working). Both are here to help you explore, reflect, and maybe even feel a little more understood.

Example: When overwhelmed

And when I get overwhelmed, too tired, too everything, this is how my body – my human body – responds:

if overwhelmed:
    find(Ragis)
    make(warm_drink)
    wrap(self, soft_blanket)

Choose an emotion to explore:

Use this dropdown to select an emotion to explore its meaning, body reactions, and suggested actions.

Debug Console

Glossary - feelings: activated

Glossary

A few words you might run into. Explained simply. Gently.

Adrenal glands

Small organs on top of your kidneys. They release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol when you get stressed, excited, or scared.

Adrenaline

A hormone that helps your body react quickly. It speeds up your heart and gives you energy to face danger or take action.

Amygdala

A small part deep in your brains that acts like an alarm system. It helps you notice and respond to emotions like fear and anger.

Cortisol

A stress hormone. It helps your body deal with tough situations but can make you feel anxious or tired if there's too much of it.

Dopamine

A feel-good brain chemical. It’s released when something exciting or rewarding happens, like reaching a goal or eating something tasty.

Endorphins

Natural painkillers made by your body. They help you feel good and are released when you laugh, exercise, or feel joy.

Fight-or-flight response

The body’s quick reaction to danger. It helps you either fight back or run away by making your heart race and muscles ready to move.

Hippocampus

A part of the brain that helps you remember things and understand your surroundings. It also helps decide what’s safe or unsafe.

Homeostasis

Your body’s way of keeping everything balanced — like keeping your temperature, heartbeat, and emotions steady.

Hormones

Chemical messengers in your body. They affect how you feel, grow, sleep, and respond to things around you.

Hypothalamus

A brain part that helps control emotions, hunger, sleep, and stress. It works like a control center to keep your body in balance.

Love hormone (Oxytocin)

Another name for oxytocin, a chemical that helps you feel connected and bonded with others. Released during hugs, trust, or closeness.

Nervous system

Your body’s network of nerves and brain signals. It helps you move, feel, and respond to the world.

Neurotransmitters

Tiny chemicals in your brain that carry messages between brain cells. They affect your mood, sleep, focus, and more.

Oxytocin

A hormone that helps you feel safe and connected. It's released when you hug, trust, or spend time with someone you care about.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The part of your nervous system that calms you down. It helps your body rest, digest food, and feel peaceful after stress.

Prefrontal cortex

The thinking part of your brain, just behind your forehead. It helps with planning, decision-making, and controlling your emotions.

Pseudo-code

A fun way of writing out actions like computer code, without using a real programming language. It's used here to show how your body might “run” emotions if it were a machine.

Real code

Actual code that can be used in a program or digital project. In this zine, it may appear alongside pseudo-code for interactive or creative parts.

Release

When a hormone or chemical is sent into your body or brain, often in response to something happening, like stress, love, or danger.

Serotonin

A brain chemical that helps you feel stable and content. It also affects sleep and digestion. Low levels can lead to sadness or depression.

Sympathetic nervous system

The part of your body that prepares you to deal with stress or danger. It speeds things up, like your heart or breath, to help you act fast.