FEAR THESAURUS

BEING A BURDEN TO OTHERS



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CHOOSE MY PLAN

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:
A character who doesn't want to put their needs—emotional, mental, physical, etc.—on others can develop a fear of burdening the people in their lives. This can become problematic when the character needs help but doesn't seek or accept it, or when they shut themselves off from everyone else, trying to be completely self-reliant.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
Valuing autonomy and independence
Being a hard worker
The character doing things themselves instead of asking for help
Always putting on a happy face; downplaying their own difficulties
Rejecting monetary gifts
Helping others in need but not accepting help for themselves
Always paying their own way (for a meal, clothing, college tuition, etc.)
Appearing private or standoffish
Cleaning up after themselves (washing their own dishes, throwing away trash, etc.)
Declining assistance for projects or tasks
Being a caretaker for younger siblings or friends
Protecting others by keeping harsh truths from them
Putting other people's needs before their own
Only letting people get so close; keeping them at an emotional distance
Hiding illnesses, injuries, financial difficulties, etc.
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COMMON INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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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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