Hello, friends!
Remember the last time you received upsetting news? For example you failed your test, or your coughing turned out to be COVID? I'm sure we all had our fair share of bad news like that. But did you know that there are specific types of reactions one can have? In this post, I'll walk you through the types, so when you're writing a scene like that, you can add another layer of complexity to it.
Let's get into it!
AVOIDING
A character, who refuses to accept what is going on, isn't going to listen to advice; there is nothing wrong, after all!
For some, this can be just a short phase before they eventually face the issue; and for some, nothing changes and they block their emotions out, not allowing themselves to live through the situation.
Example: “What? No, no way. I can't be sick. Just yesterday I was running with my dog at the park. See? Everything is alright, let's just go home.”
ADJUSTING
Some characters, upon being told upsetting news, will accept it as a part of their reality. They'll try to adjust to what occurred, finding effective ways to deal with it.
Some may take a step too far in this one; they may fall into self-pity and expect others to save them from the situation.
Example: “I'll have to buy myself a wheelchair… nothing else we can do here. We'll move some furniture aside… so I can still move around.”
EXPRESSING
A character who's using expressing, will let it all out. If the news upset them, they will cry or shout, expressing whatever they're feeling at the moment. It's a good thing to show the emotions you're expressing; of course, here also some may take things a little overboard and end up wrecking havoc.
Example: “You can't be serious… no! They fired you?! What are we going to do?! We need to pay the bills, and… oh my god!”
SMILING
Certain people, upon receiving upsetting news, will try to see as many positives in the situation as they can. They'll point to how things could have been worse, express how they at least have someone to share it with etc.
Toxic positivity would be the extreme this type of character could go to.
Example: “It’s alright… look, some people don't have arms, I just broke a wrist, okay? And it doesn't even hurt anymore. Come on, no need for that sad face!”
TASK MODE
There's something wrong? Well, let's solve what we can solve, and get rid of the issue as fast as we can!
Those people upon receiving upsetting news go straight into a task mode; they'll point out everything they can do to make the situation better, and they'll go for them right away.
The unhealthy version of it would be escaping your true feelings and rationalizing what needs to be felt.
Example: “Okay… so, you need to retake the test, right? I could be your teacher for the upcoming week. I'll get you some notes, and textbooks I can find…”
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