FEAR THESAURUS

TRUSTING OTHERS



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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:
Trust, to varying degrees, is a necessary part of any relationship. It stands to reason, then, that someone with trust issues will struggle in building, maintaining, or deepening their relationships with others. The results of this fear are myriad, ranging from someone being skeptical of people and doubting their motives to a character who is unable to form close, intimate relationships with anyone.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
Valuing privacy
A high level of independence
Not sharing potentially sensitive information with others
Being slow to warm up to new people
Purposely sabotaging romantic relationships
Maintaining shallow romantic relationships
Skepticism of strangers and new acquaintances
Not taking people at their word
Taking overt steps to protect themselves (setting up cameras around their house, owning a weapon, etc.)
Ghosting others when they try to get too close
Conducting research to verify people's claims
Being argumentative
Cutting people off for minor offenses (not giving them a second chance)
Setting strict boundaries with close friends or partners
Requiring a prenuptial agreement before marriage
Not fully committing to a relationship (keeping individual bank accounts, the character keeping their own name after marrying, moving in together but paying bills separately, 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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