Abraham Hicks Emotional Guidance Scale – Comprehensive Guide

Some days just feel off. Like your mood is wearing socks that don’t quite match and everything’s rubbing the wrong way.

And some days? You wake up with a little more hope. A little more space to breathe. Those are the days we reach for. But what if you’re stuck somewhere in between? That’s where the Emotional Guidance Scale comes in.

This isn’t a system to fix you. You’re not broken.

It’s more like a gentle map back to yourself—a reminder that even when your thoughts feel loud or heavy, you can shift. One feeling at a time.

The scale comes from the teachings of Abraham Hicks, channeled through Esther Hicks. If you’ve dipped your toes into the Law of Attraction, you’ve likely come across this before. But even if you haven’t, you don’t need to believe in anything “woo” to let this help you.

The emotional guidance scale is just a list of emotions. A ladder, if you will. With each feeling giving you a clue about how closely you’re aligned with peace, joy, and that sense of ease we’re all craving.

It starts at the top with joy, appreciation, and love—and works its way down to despair and powerlessness. Not to label emotions as good or bad, but to help you know: you’re here… and this is where you could go next.

What is the Emotional Guidance Scale?

At its heart, the Emotional Guidance Scale is a soft invitation to check in with how you feel—and notice where you are, without judgment.

It was introduced by Esther and Jerry Hicks through their channeled teachings of Abraham, and it became one of the most loved tools for anyone exploring Law of Attraction or emotional awareness.

But honestly? Even if you’re not into all the woo-woo stuff, this scale still helps.

Here’s the idea: every emotion you feel is like a little internal GPS. Emotions that feel good (like joy, love, appreciation) are signs that you’re in alignment—with yourself, your desires, and the energy of allowing. Emotions that feel heavy or low (like fear, guilt, or despair) aren’t “bad”—they’re just letting you know you’re out of alignment right now. That’s it. Just info. No shame.

And the beauty of it is: you don’t have to leap from fear to freedom in one go. The magic is in the gentle shift. One feeling up. One thought softer.

Over time, you start to get really good at it. You begin to catch yourself and think: okay, this is irritation… maybe I can reach for mild annoyance instead of full-blown frustration.

The goal isn’t to rush to the top. It’s to keep choosing thoughts and actions that help you feel even slightly better. That might look like:

• Letting yourself cry without explaining it
• Taking a walk while listening to a comforting voice
• Reaching for one true thought that feels more empowering than the one before

The scale helps you recognize what’s happening inside, so you can move through it with more ease—and more kindness.

Here’s the full list from Ask and It Is Given (pg. 114):

 

Each step up the scale is like climbing out of a fog. You don’t need to see the top to keep moving forward.

You just need to take the next emotional step that feels a little lighter than where you are now.

That’s how you shift your vibration. That’s how you feel better. That’s how you heal – one soft choice at a time. 

Why the Emotional Guidance Scale Can Feel Like a Lifeline

Let’s be real – life can get messy. Emotions sneak up when we least expect them. One moment you’re fine, the next you’re spiraling because someone didn’t text back or the laundry’s still sitting where it was yesterday.

That’s where this scale becomes more than just a chart. It becomes a lifeline.

It’s not here to tell you what you should feel. It’s here to help you see where you are – and remind you there’s always a next step.

So what’s the point of this scale, really?

So, the purpose of the Emotional Guidance Scale? It’s simple: To help you come home to yourself. One feeling, one breath, one choice at a time.

And the more often you use it, the more natural it becomes.

You’ll start to notice the subtle shifts:

• From worry to curiosity
• From impatience to gentle hope
• From numbness to quiet relief

And that’s how you create emotional momentum. Slowly. Gently. Honestly.

Why You Might Want to Use the Emotional Guidance Scale

If you’ve ever thought, “I just want to feel better, but I don’t even know where to start,” this scale is your starting point.

It’s not about being perfect or getting it right every time. It’s about checking in, tuning in, and shifting gently. That’s where the scale shines.

And the best part? The Emotional Guidance Scale always meets you where you are. Whether you’re flying high or flat-out exhausted, it simply says, “Okay, love. Let’s just go one notch up.”

Gentle Ways to Climb the Emotional Guidance Scale

You don’t need a 10-step plan or a spiritual to-do list. This isn’t about effort – it’s about feeling your way into a little more relief.

Here are some simple, honest ways to shift upward:

However you choose to climb the scale, do it with grace. You’re not behind. You’re not broken.

You’re just learning to meet yourself in new ways. And that? That’s everything.

Real-Life Moments of Climbing the Emotional Scale

Let’s ground all this in real life. These aren’t textbook theories – they’re moments we’ve all lived through in some shape or form. Sometimes the shifts are big. Most of the time? They’re small, quiet nudges upward.

From Anger → Blame → Irritation

Let’s say you’re working with someone on a project. They miss a deadline or make a mistake that sends everything sideways. You feel that hot flare of anger rise up. Totally fair. You’ve been working hard, and now there’s more to clean up.

But later – maybe after a walk or a sigh or a snack – you catch yourself thinking, “Ugh, they should’ve known better.” That’s blame. Still lower-vibe, still heavy, but… it’s different than rage. You’re shifting.

Then maybe you find yourself just… irritated. Rolling your eyes instead of clenching your jaw. It’s not fixed. But your body feels a bit less tense.

That’s a win. That’s upward movement.

You didn’t need to leap to forgiveness or joy. You just loosened your grip. And that’s real emotional progress.

 

From Worry → Frustration → Satisfaction

You’re a mom juggling work, dinner, laundry, and remembering to call your aunt back. You’re worried you’re not giving enough – to your kids, to your job, to yourself.

That worry might turn into frustration when things start to clash – like your kid’s play overlapping with your Zoom meeting. You feel the squeeze. You want to be in two places at once.

But then, you breathe. You reschedule the meeting. Or ask for help. Or decide to just show up messy and real.

And somehow, it works out. Your child smiles. You finish what you needed to. That tiny thread of satisfaction curls into your chest.

That’s how you move. You don’t force joy. You allow relief.

 

From Boredom → Optimism → Enthusiasm

There are those days where everything feels meh. Same meals. Same walls. Same scroll.

You notice the boredom. So you poke at it. You listen to a new podcast. Or walk a different path. Or buy paints even though you “don’t know how to paint.”

Suddenly, something stirs. Optimism peeks in. You think, “Maybe I could really enjoy this.”

And before long? You’re deep in it. Creating. Laughing. Texting someone about your new obsession. That spark of enthusiasm catches fire.

All because you followed a whisper of curiosity instead of staying stuck.

These aren’t massive leaps. They’re gentle pivots. Micro-movements.

But they change everything.

Because every time you shift – even just a little – you remind yourself:

✨ I have power.
✨ I can soften.
✨ I’m allowed to feel better.

And that’s the real magic of this scale.

 

When Using the Scale Feels Hard

Even with the best intentions, some days this whole emotional scale thing feels like trying to climb a mountain in flip-flops. That’s okay. You’re not doing it wrong – you’re just human.

Here are some of the common bumps along the way (and some soft ways to navigate them):

1. When your thoughts won’t let up

Negative thoughts can be loud. Like an annoying radio station stuck on repeat. And sometimes, trying to shift feels impossible when your brain is spinning stories about what’s wrong, what might go wrong, or what already went wrong.

Try this:

• Ask, “Is this thought true? Is it helpful?”
• Try swapping it with something a little softer: “I’m open to feeling better,” or “What else could be true here?”
• Reach out to a friend, journal it out, or say the thought out loud just to hear how it lands.

Even tiny thought tweaks can change the way it feels in your body.

2. When your feelings are really big

Anger, grief, fear – they don’t always come quietly. And that’s okay too. You don’t have to fix them. Just let them move through you.

Try this:

• Let yourself cry, yell into a pillow, go for a walk, or write a no-filter journal entry.
• Remind yourself: “It’s okay to feel this. I’m not broken.”
• Give the emotion a name and a little space. Sometimes that’s all it needs.

This isn’t about bypassing big feelings – it’s about letting them flow so you don’t have to carry them.

3. When you feel stuck or discouraged

You try to climb the scale, but keep ending up back in the same spot. You wonder if anything’s really changing.

Try this:

• Look for small wins: “Did I pause before reacting today? Did I name the feeling instead of stuffing it down?”
• Make it visual: Track your emotional shifts like dots on a page. Over time, you’ll see the arc.
• Let progress be slow. Slow still counts.

Climbing the emotional scale isn’t linear. You don’t always move in one direction. Some days you loop back. Some days you rest. It’s all part of it.

Give yourself so much grace. You are not failing because you still have hard days. You are healing because you’re showing up anyway.

The scale is just a guide. And you, my friend, are already doing better than you think.

Exploring the Emotions at the Top of the Scale

Let’s talk about those feelings that live up near the top. The ones that feel like sunshine on your face, or a deep exhale after holding your breath too long.

These are the high-vibration emotions. The ones we naturally return to when we feel safe, rested, and aligned. You don’t have to chase them. But it helps to know what they feel like – and how to gently invite them in.

You don’t have to stay here all the time. That’s not the point.

But the more you recognize what these emotions feel like, the easier it is to call them back when they wander.

Think of them like old friends. You don’t need them to fix you. You just need to remember they’re always welcome.

How the Emotional Guidance Scale Plays Well With Other Practices

The Emotional Guidance Scale is lovely on its own. But when you pair it with other tools like mindfulness, journaling, or affirmations? It really starts to hum.

It’s like adding soft background music to your emotional check-ins – everything feels a little more supported.

Mindfulness

This is your moment-to-moment awareness. No judgment. No fixing. Just noticing what’s true right now.

When you sit with your emotions – whether it’s joy or worry – without pushing them away, you’re using the scale in a deeper way. You’re saying, “I see you,” instead of, “You need to change.”

Mindfulness helps you catch subtle shifts, like when sadness turns into a little sigh of acceptance. That’s movement.

Affirmations

Sometimes we need a new voice in our heads – one that’s kind and rooted in hope.

Affirmations can help gently rewire the stories we’ve been telling ourselves. They don’t have to be over-the-top. Try ones that feel honest, like:

• “I’m open to feeling a little better.”
• “This feeling won’t last forever.” 
• “I’m learning to trust myself again.”

Match your affirmations to where you are on the scale. The goal isn’t to leap – it’s to lean.

Journaling

Think of journaling as having a quiet conversation with yourself.

It’s a place to unpack what you’re feeling, track your emotional shifts, and get curious about what helps you move up the scale.

You can jot down:

• “Where am I on the scale today?” 
• “What helped me feel even a tiny bit better this week?”
• “What do I need right now?”

Sometimes, just getting it out on paper helps you soften something hard.

Mix and match. Try one. Try all. Make it yours.

There’s no right way – just your way. And whatever helps you feel more grounded, more aware, and more you? That’s the way forward. 

 

Using the Emotional Guidance Scale in Real Life (Not Just in Your Head)

The scale is beautiful in theory, but what about in real life? In the middle of dishes, deadlines, or that weird email from your boss?

Here are a few down-to-earth ways to keep the scale close – like a little emotional compass tucked in your pocket.

1. Set tiny reminders to check in

It’s easy to get swept up in the day. A quick alarm on your phone or a sticky note on your mirror that says “Where am I on the scale?” can bring you back to yourself.

These little nudges aren’t about fixing anything. They’re just invitations to pause and breathe.

2. Keep a gratitude log that’s honest and easy

Not the “I’m grateful for the roof over my head” kind – unless that truly lights you up. Go personal. Go simple.

• “My coffee was perfect this morning.”
• “The dog snuggled me when I felt sad.”
• “I remembered to breathe before replying to that text.”

Gratitude helps you soften. And softening helps you shift.

3. Try one mindful moment a day

You don’t need a full meditation practice. Just choose one moment to really be in your body.

Feel the water while you wash your hands. Take five slow breaths before bed. Notice your feet on the ground while brushing your teeth.

Mindfulness isn’t fancy. It’s just presence.

4. Don’t go it alone

Talk to someone who gets it. Share how you’re feeling. Let a trusted friend or journal hold space for what’s real.

Even a quick check-in with someone who knows your journey can remind you: you’re not climbing alone.

5. Celebrate the smallest shifts

Seriously. Moved from despair to frustration? Celebrate that.

Caught a negative thought and chose a softer one instead? That’s huge.

Every time you shift – even by one little notch – you’re choosing healing. That’s worth noticing. That’s worth cheering for.

You don’t need to be perfect or live at the top of the scale.

You just need to keep showing up. Keep listening in. Keep reaching for the feeling that’s just one step better than where you are now.

That’s the practice. That’s the magic. 

Noticing the Little Wins (Because They Really Matter)

Sometimes we get so focused on “getting better” that we forget to notice all the tiny ways we already are.

Progress on the Emotional Guidance Scale isn’t always this big, dramatic leap. Most of the time? It’s quieter. Softer. So subtle you might miss it if you don’t stop to look.

But wow – when you do notice? It changes everything.

Why it’s worth celebrating

Healing isn’t linear. You won’t always go straight up the scale. Some days you climb. Some days you hover. Some days you tumble down a few notches and wonder if anything’s working.

It is. You are.

Even recognizing that is progress.

When you acknowledge the little shifts, you’re telling yourself:
“I see how far I’ve come.”
“I’m doing the work.”
“I’m proud of me.”

And that kind of self-acknowledgment? It’s fuel.

Simple ways to honor your journey

• Keep a feel-good log: Nothing fancy. Just jot down how you felt today and one thing that helped – even if it was just breathing through a tough moment.
  
• Celebrate micro-shifts: Moved from “total meltdown” to “mild annoyance”? That’s gold. Give yourself a fist bump or buy the fancy chocolate.
  
• Name your growth out loud: “I handled that better than I used to.” “I paused instead of reacting.” “I softened where I used to shut down.”
  
• Use gratitude to reflect: Not just for what you have – but for who you’re becoming. Gratitude helps you see your own evolution.
  

   

You don’t need a journal full of breakthroughs. You just need to notice the quiet wins and say, “That counts.”

Because it does.

Every step – even sideways or slow – is still part of your upward journey.

You’re not behind. You’re building something beautiful.

And it starts with recognizing just how far you’ve already come.

 

Let’s Clear Up a Few Misunderstandings

The Emotional Guidance Scale is a beautiful tool – but like anything that involves feelings, it’s easy to misread it or feel like you’re doing it wrong.

So let’s take a minute to clear up some common myths, and give your nervous system a little exhale in the process.

Misconception 1: “I’m supposed to push away negative emotions.”

Nope. Not at all.

This scale isn’t about pretending you’re fine when you’re clearly not. It’s about noticing where you are – and then reaching for the next best feeling when you’re ready.

You’re allowed to feel it all. You’re not failing for being sad, angry, or scared. You’re being human.

Misconception 2: “I should feel positive all the time.”

Oh friend, if only.

Life is messy and emotional. Some days are heavy. Some days you bounce between five different feelings before lunch.

The scale isn’t about always feeling good. It’s about knowing you have options – and that you can shift when you’re ready, not because you “should.”

Misconception 3: “If I can’t shift fast, I’m doing it wrong.”

Not true. Emotional shifts aren’t a race.

Sometimes a shift happens in minutes. Other times, it takes days. Or you circle around a feeling a few times before it softens.

Slow is still movement. Gentle is still progress.

Misconception 4: “Everyone should use the scale the same way.”

Nope again.

What feels like relief to you might feel totally different to someone else. This scale isn’t rigid – it’s a guide. A framework. A tool you get to make your own.

You might move through it sideways or out of order. That’s okay. Trust your body. Trust your intuition.

At the end of the day, the Emotional Guidance Scale isn’t here to box you in – it’s here to meet you where you are.

It’s a compass, not a command.

Use it in whatever way feels kind, helpful, and real. You’re the expert of your own experience. And that, in itself, is powerful.