EMOTION THESAURUS

INSECURITY



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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:
Feeling unsure of oneself or displaying a lack of confidence

PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
Smoothing down clothing
A self-deprecating laugh
Breaking eye contact and shrugging
Hiding the hands in the pockets
Fidgeting
Checking one's breath
Throat clearing
Visible blushing
Licking or biting the bottom lip
Petting or stroking one's own hair (comfort gestures)
Covering up (pulling a jacket tighter, holding one's elbows)
Holding the knees and legs tightly together
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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CUES OF ACUTE OR LONG TERM INSECURITY:
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MAY ESCALATE TO:
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CUES OF SUPPRESSED INSECURITY:
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MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:
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ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS:
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