Emotion: Empowerment

When you want to write the emotion empowerment, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid emotion tells and immerse your readers in your story.

Empowerment is a feeling of strength, confidence, and control over one's life and surroundings. It is the sense of being able to make decisions, take action, and achieve goals with a sense of self-determination. Empowerment is often associated with a positive sense of agency and an ability to overcome obstacles and challenges. In the context of character development, an empowered character is one who is able to take charge of their life and act with autonomy and self-assurance.

Different Types of Empowerment

Here are some different types of empowerment:

• Confidence
• Self-assurance
• Self-esteem
• Self-worth
• Self-respect
• Self-belief
• Self-efficacy
• Self-confidence
• Self-reliance

Situations Associated with Empowerment

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of empowerment:

• Achieving a long-term goal or dream
• Overcoming a significant obstacle or challenge
• Standing up for oneself or someone else
• Realizing their own strengths and capabilities
• Receiving recognition or praise for their accomplishments
• Taking control of a situation or making a difficult decision
• Breaking free from a limiting belief or negative self-talk
• Helping others or making a positive impact in their community
• Gaining new knowledge or skills that increase their confidence

Physical Reactions to Empowerment

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing empowerment might have:

• Standing tall and straight, with shoulders back and head held high
• Speaking confidently and assertively, with a clear voice
• Making direct eye contact with others
• Taking decisive action and making bold choices
• Expressing enthusiasm and passion
• Exhibiting a sense of purpose and determination
• Feeling energized and motivated
• Taking risks and stepping outside of one's comfort zone
• Exhibiting a sense of self-assuredness and self-reliance

Thoughts Associated with Empowerment

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing empowerment might have:

• I can do this!
• I have the ability to take control of my life.
• I am capable of making decisions and standing up for myself.
• I am proud of my accomplishments.
• I feel confident and self-assured.
• I am motivated to achieve my goals.
• I am empowered to make a difference in the world.
• I am deserving of respect and recognition.
• I am in charge of my own destiny.

Atmosphere of Empowerment

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of empowerment in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use a setting that conveys strength and empowerment, such as a mountaintop, a castle, or a skyscraper.
• Use colors that convey confidence and power, such as red, gold, or purple.
• Use strong imagery and metaphors that evoke power and strength, such as a lion, a sword, or a thunderstorm.
• Use powerful language and sentence structures to convey strength and assertiveness.
• Use empowering music or sound effects to set the tone of the scene.
• Use lighting to convey strength and power, such as bright light or dramatic shadows.
• Use body language and physical actions that convey confidence and self-assurance.
• Use dialogue that is assertive and confident, and that empowers the character and those around them.

Verbs Associated with Empowerment

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of empowerment:

• Encourage
• Enable
• Inspire
• Motivate
• Strengthen
• Boost
• Support
• Embolden
• Energize
• Uplift
• Invigorate
• Activate
• Fortify

Emotions Before Empowerment

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences empowerment:

• Insecurity
• Doubt
• Fear
• Weakness
• Helplessness
• Hopelessness
• Frustration
• Disillusionment
• Discontent
• Resignation

It's important to remember that a character's emotional journey is unique and can take many different paths. These are just a few examples of emotions that may lead to Empowerment.

Emotions After Empowerment

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences empowerment:

• Confidence
• Motivation
• Ambition
• Inspiration
• Courage
• Determination
• Empathy
• Gratitude
• Satisfaction

Telling Empowerment Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion empowerment in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She felt empowered after reading the motivational book.
• The speech left him feeling empowered and ready to take on any challenge.
• The coach's pep talk had an empowering effect on the team.
• Sarah was empowered by the realization that she had the ability to make a difference.
• The CEO's words of encouragement were empowering to the entire staff.
• The character's inner monologue revealed a sense of empowerment and confidence.
• The protagonist's transformation into a strong, empowered leader was evident throughout the novel.
• The workshop on self-empowerment left a lasting impact on the attendees.
• The character's empowering moment came when she stood up for herself and refused to be a victim any longer.

Practical Examples of Showing Empowerment

Here are some examples of showing empowerment in a sentence:

• She stood tall and proud, feeling the weight of the world lifted from her shoulders.
• With each step, she felt a surge of confidence and strength coursing through her veins.
• The wind whipped through her hair as she raced towards her goal, determined and unstoppable.
• As she gazed out over the horizon, a sense of limitless possibility filled her heart.

Exercises for Showing Empowerment

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing empowerment:

• Start by identifying moments in your own life when you felt empowered. What were the circumstances? What did it feel like? Use these memories to inform your writing.
• Create a character who has been beaten down or oppressed in some way. Show how they find their inner strength and begin to feel empowered over the course of your story.
• Write a scene in which your character stands up for themselves or for someone else. How do they feel before, during, and after the confrontation? What does this moment of assertiveness reveal about their character?
• Write a monologue or inner dialogue in which your character reflects on a past experience that made them feel powerless. How have they grown since then? What have they learned about themselves and their abilities?
• Show your character taking action to pursue their goals or overcome obstacles. How do they feel as they make progress? What challenges do they face along the way, and how do they overcome them?
• Write a scene in which your character faces a setback or defeat, but responds with resilience and determination. How do they pick themselves up and keep going?
• Consider the relationships in your story. How do other characters respond to your empowered character? Are they supportive, jealous, or threatened? Use these dynamics to add depth to your character and explore the theme of empowerment in different contexts.

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full emotional thesaurus.