FEAR THESAURUS

BEING PITIED



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HELPFUL TIP:

A deeply embedded fear often stems from trauma, so it can be helpful to explore emotional wounds that may be a factor. Your character might also become risk-averse, avoiding people and situations they associate with this fear. And for a character to achieve their story goal, they must overcome any fear-based thinking that's holding them back. The Character Builder is a great resource for pulling all these factors together.
NOTES:
Pity almost always comes from a good place, from people who care and only want to help. But some people don't want pity or sympathy for others because it makes them feel weak or inferior. When pity is accompanied by patronization, superiority, or passive-aggressiveness, it can also cause the recipient to repel anyone's attempt to show concern for them.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
A strong work ethic
Independence
Rejecting charity
The character taking care of themselves when things are rough
Maintaining distance in relationships so no one discovers how hard things have gotten for the character
Keeping their private life private
Stashing food, money, and resources to prepare for hard times
Being highly adaptable
Downplaying negative life events so others won't think they're so bad
Brushing off the concerns of others
Becoming defensive when others express pity
Questioning shows of love or concern from others
Projecting strength at all times
Avoiding churches, soup kitchens, or other places typically associated with charity or sympathy
Overcompensating to show off their physical, emotional, or spiritual strength
Hiding negative emotions
Refusing to get professional help (in the form of counseling, food stamps, etc.)
Avoiding places where pity or charity are offered (church, support groups, etc.)
Quitting activities they enjoy if they start to perform poorly 
Working very hard to avoid having to accept help from others
Having high expectations for themselves and others
Keeping up appearances so no one will know when something is off
Having no patience for people who whine about superficial upsets
The character redirecting another person's concern for them to other people who have it worse 

COMMON INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
The character believing they're somehow inferior to or worth less than others
Wanting to be considered equal with others but secretly resenting those who have an easy life
Needing to talk about one's circumstances but the fear of pity being too great to reach out
Needing help but being unable to ask for it
Mental exhaustion at projecting strength and independence during points of struggle
Wanting to help others in need but not wanting to show pity 
The character feeling guilty for their feelings about their unhappy life circumstances because they know others are even worse off
The character wanting desperately to prove themselves
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FLAWS THAT MAY EMERGE:
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HINDRANCES AND DISRUPTIONS TO THE CHARACTER'S LIFE:
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EMOTIONAL WOUNDS IT COULD STEM FROM:
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SCENARIOS THAT MIGHT AWAKEN THIS FEAR :
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HUMAN NEEDS THAT COULD BE IMPACTED:
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GOALS MADE DIFFICULT BY THIS FEAR:
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CONFLICT SCENARIOS THAT OFFER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES:
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