Sadness
A response to loss or an unmet want, broad in cause and duration.
How it shows up
Sadness can follow losses large and small: a friendship fading, a plan falling through, a place left behind. It often slows people down, draws attention inward, and can bring tears or a heavy feeling in the chest and throat. It may signal that something mattered and invite comfort from others. Its causes and length vary widely, which is part of what separates it from more specific states like grief or disappointment.
How it differs from Grief
Sadness can attach to almost any loss or unmet want; grief is the sustained response to a specific, usually bereavement-level loss.
Notice
When sadness is present, notice what it seems to be pointing toward, and whether it wants company or quiet.
Where it is felt
Felt most in the chest, throat and face.
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.