“I feel like/that” is a passive way to say, “I think that.”

What we feel are emotions, such as “happy, excited, confused, concerned”. Yet, so often we use the word “feel” when we really mean “think”. “I feel like this isn’t going to end well” vs “I think this isn’t going to end well.”

 Hmm, why is it that we choose to use the language of emotion rather than thoughts?

Is it possible that we think that others can’t really argue against our feelings, so by expressing our thoughts as feelings we hope that we won’t be invalidated? As if the words “I feel” are some sort of shield?

Also to consider: do we say “I feel like/that” because we think it comes across as softer, more tactful and less assertive than “I think”?

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 Saying “I think” when we actually mean “I think” tends to come across as more confident.
You can also add your feelings like “I am concerned about this. I think that we need more information before we make that decision.”