A feeling can be summarised as a single word, but a thought requires more.

One can feel:

One can think and speculate:

When trying to vent feelings, it can be tempting for the listener to question if the feelings are even real. This is never a productive line of questioning, and almost always leads to the inflammation of feelings and sometimes to fights. For example:

This appears to be wholesome feedback, but in fact it denies the venter's feelings.

Understanding this separation between thoughts and feelings makes it much easier to manage both.