Hope
An orientation toward a desired future outcome perceived as possible, though not certain.
How it shows up
Hope appears when a wanted outcome seems possible but not assured: waiting on a job offer, recovery from illness, a reconciliation. It often brings a forward lean of attention, imagined scenarios, and a willingness to keep acting. Some psychologists describe it as combining goals, pathways, and a sense of agency. The uncertainty is part of what makes it hope; once an outcome feels assured, hope tends to give way to plain expectation.
How it differs from optimism
Optimism expects things to turn out well; hope reaches toward a wanted outcome that is possible but uncertain, and can hold on even when the odds are low.
Notice
Notice what you are hoping for right now, and what keeps that hope alive.
Where it is felt
Felt most in the chest, face and head.
Based on Nummenmaa et al. (2014), bodily maps of emotions, and related research. The map shows where people report bodily sensation, on average; individual experience varies.