EMOTION THESAURUS

INADEQUACY



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HELPFUL TIP:

The inner landscape of your characters (especially your protagonist) is the lifeblood that runs through your story. Emotions, and how they're expressed, are tied deeply to a character’s personality and which positive traits and negative traits will manifest. To bring your readers in deeper through shared experience, consider filtering the setting descriptions through your character’s emotions while also exploring important colors, textures, and shapes through his or her senses.
DEFINITION:
A persistent feeling of shame and self-doubt due to the perception that one is inferior to others


SIMILAR EMOTIONS:
INSECURITY

PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
A lack of eye contact; often looking down or to the side when being spoken to
Hiding one's hands in one's pockets
Avoiding the spotlight (staying on the fringes, supporting rather than leading, etc.)
Not contributing to conversation (out of a fear of revealing one's inferiority)
Hesitating before speaking
Stumbling over one's words
Blushing
A caved-in chest and overall poor posture
Acting to impress others, seeking flattery and validation
Overpreparing (practicing a speech to death, studying every angle, over-packing, etc.
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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CUES OF ACUTE OR LONG TERM INADEQUACY:
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MAY ESCALATE TO:
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CUES OF SUPPRESSED INADEQUACY:
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MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:
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ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS:
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