Faux feeling Something done to me
Cared for
Not a feeling: a thought about what someone did.
Also known as looked after, nurtured
‘I think you are paying attention to what I need.’
Why it’s not a feeling
Cared for is a conclusion about someone’s attention: that they noticed what you needed and acted on it. Welcome as it is, it still describes their side of things, what they gave rather than what moved in you. Receiving that care might leave you warm, grateful, safe or simply relieved.
Feelings underneath
Needs
Saying it as a feeling
‘I feel cared for.’
When you brought soup round and walked the dog every day while I had flu, I felt grateful and relieved, because I need support and warmth.