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Inspiration Decks Character Traits 2023-12-06 00:00

Character Trait: Disorganized

Character Trait Disorganized

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Disorganized refers to a person who has difficulty keeping things in order or following through on tasks. They may struggle with managing their time effectively, forget important details, or have a messy and cluttered living or working space. This trait can manifest in a variety of ways, from missing deadlines to losing important items or documents.

Contents:
  1. Possible causes of being disorganized
  2. Behaviors associated with being disorganized
  3. Attitudes associated with being disorganized
  4. Thoughts and struggles associated with being disorganized
  5. Emotions associated with being disorganized
  6. Facial expressions associated with being disorganized
  7. Body language associated with being disorganized
  8. Behaviors associated with being disorganized
  9. Growth and evolution of disorganized characters
  10. Stereotypes of disorganized characters to avoid
  11. Negatives of being disorganized
  12. Positives of being disorganized
  13. Verbal expressions of disorganized characters
  14. Relationships of disorganized characters
  15. Examples from books of characters who are disorganized
  16. Writing exercises for writing disorganized characters

Possible causes of being disorganized

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

  • Lack of structure or routine in childhood or upbringing
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Depression or other mental health conditions
  • Overwhelm or feeling like there's too much to do
  • Lack of motivation or interest in the task at hand
  • Chronic stress or anxiety
  • Poor time management skills

Behaviors associated with being disorganized

You may be able to show your character's trait of disorganized by using these.

  • Difficulty prioritizing tasks or managing time effectively
  • Losing or misplacing items regularly
  • Forgetting important appointments or tasks
  • Difficulty making decisions or sticking to them
  • Procrastination and difficulty completing projects on time
  • Struggling to follow routines or stick to schedules
  • Poor record-keeping and disorganized paperwork
  • Overcommitting and double-booking
  • Cluttered living or work spaces

Attitudes associated with being disorganized

You may be able to show disorganized through their attitudes.

  • Procrastination and avoidance of tasks
  • Resistance to structure or routine
  • Feeling overwhelmed and stressed by clutter or chaos
  • Difficulty prioritizing and managing time
  • Inability to follow through on plans or commitments
  • Impulsiveness and disordered thinking
  • Tendency to be forgetful or absent-minded
  • Difficulty with decision-making and problem-solving
  • Lack of focus and attention to detail

Thoughts and struggles associated with being disorganized

Here are some ideas for things your disorganized character may think or struggle with.

  • Feeling ashamed or embarrassed about their disorganization
  • Feeling frustrated with themselves for not being able to change their behavior
  • Feeling overwhelmed by even small tasks
  • Being perceived as careless or unreliable by others
  • Feeling like they are always playing catch-up or behind in life
  • Difficulty in focusing on tasks or completing them on time
  • Struggling to maintain relationships due to their disorganization
  • Struggling to plan or organize their schedule
  • Constantly losing or misplacing important items

Emotions associated with being disorganized

Here are some ideas for emotions your disorganized character may experience.

  • Embarrassed
  • Forgetful
  • Anxious
  • Inefficient
  • Scattered
  • Stressed
  • Overwhelmed
  • Confused
  • Frustrated

Facial expressions associated with being disorganized

Here are some facial expressions your disorganized character may exhibit.

  • Furrowed brow or wrinkled forehead
  • Scratching the head or rubbing the face
  • Squinting or narrowing of the eyes
  • Raised eyebrows or widened eyes
  • Pursed lips or tight jaw
  • Deep sighing or heavy breathing
  • Clenched teeth or jaw
  • Tapping or fidgeting with fingers or objects
  • Shaking of the head or rolling of the eyes

Body language associated with being disorganized

Here is some body language your disorganized character may exhibit.

  • Fidgeting or playing with objects
  • Being disheveled or messy in appearance
  • Procrastinating or being indecisive
  • Avoiding or delaying tasks
  • Looking scattered or distracted
  • Forgetting things or losing track of conversations
  • Not making eye contact
  • Appearing flustered or overwhelmed

Behaviors associated with being disorganized

Here are some behaviors your disorganized character may exhibit.

  • Poor record-keeping and disorganized paperwork
  • Losing or misplacing items regularly
  • Procrastination and difficulty completing projects on time
  • Difficulty prioritizing tasks or managing time effectively
  • Forgetting important appointments or tasks
  • Overcommitting and double-booking
  • Struggling to follow routines or stick to schedules
  • Difficulty making decisions or sticking to them
  • Cluttered living or work spaces

Growth and evolution of disorganized characters

Here are some ways that your disorganized character may grow and evolve over time.

  • Accept that they may still struggle with disorganization at times and learn to forgive themselves for mistakes.
  • Learn to prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones first.
  • Develop new habits and routines to improve their organization skills, such as creating a schedule or using a planner.
  • Acknowledge their disorganization and its negative impact on their life and relationships.
  • Seek help from others, such as a therapist or a mentor, to address their disorganization.
  • Embrace their creativity and find ways to incorporate it into their organized life.

Stereotypes of disorganized characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical disorganized character like these examples.

  • Making them excessively messy or dirty
  • Using disorganization as an excuse for their negative behaviors or actions
  • Portraying them as forgetful or absent-minded to the point of being unrealistic
  • Making the character appear lazy or unmotivated
  • Giving them a lack of direction or purpose in their life
  • Making them appear unreliable or irresponsible without any redeeming qualities

Negatives of being disorganized

Here are some potential negatives of being disorganized. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

  • Missing out on opportunities due to lack of preparation
  • Inability to prioritize tasks effectively
  • Feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus on important tasks
  • Misplacing important items or documents
  • Difficulty in maintaining relationships due to forgetfulness or inconsistency
  • Poor time management and lack of productivity
  • Creating unnecessary stress for oneself and others
  • Difficulty in meeting deadlines and keeping schedules

Positives of being disorganized

Here are some potential positives of being disorganized. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

  • Disorganized individuals may have a heightened sense of creativity, as they are not bound by rigid structures or routines.
  • They may be more spontaneous and adventurous, open to taking risks and trying new things.
  • Disorganized people often have a great ability to improvise and think outside the box.
  • They may have a more laid-back attitude towards life, and be less prone to stress and anxiety.
  • They tend to be more relaxed and flexible, which can lead to a more positive and enjoyable approach to life.
  • Disorganization can be a sign of a curious and exploratory mindset, always seeking new experiences and perspectives.

Verbal expressions of disorganized characters

Here are some potential expressions used by disorganized characters.

  • "I'm scatterbrained"
  • "I can't find my keys"
  • "I'm overwhelmed"
  • "I'm running late again"
  • "I need to get my act together"
  • "I forgot about that meeting"
  • "Where did I put that?"
  • "I'm forgetful"
  • "I'm all over the place"

Relationships of disorganized characters

Here are some ways that being disorganized could affect your character's relationships.

  • Being seen as unreliable or untrustworthy due to disorganization
  • Difficulty following through on commitments, leading to frustration and disappointment from others
  • Struggling to prioritize tasks, leading to last-minute cancellations or unfinished projects
  • Dependence on others to keep them organized
  • Overwhelming others with clutter and disorganization in shared spaces
  • Forgetting important dates or events, leading to hurt feelings or misunderstandings

Examples from books of characters who are disorganized

  • Don Quixote from "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes
  • Ignatius B. Grumply from "Dying to Meet You" by Kate Klise
  • Ignatius J. Reilly from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
  • Ignatius Martin Perrish from "Horns" by Joe Hill
  • Ruby Lennox from "Behind the Scenes at the Museum" by Kate Atkinson
  • Winston Smith from "1984" by George Orwell
  • Ignatius "Iggy" Batdorf from "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" by Michael Chabon
  • Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
  • Christopher John Francis Boone from "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon

Writing exercises for writing disorganized characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write disorganized characters.

  • Write a character who uses disorganization as a coping mechanism for a deeper emotional issue. Show how their disorganization may be a symptom of a larger problem.
  • Consider a character who is highly creative and talented but struggles with organization. Explore how their disorganization may hinder or enhance their creativity.
  • Think about a time when you were disorganized and how it affected your day-to-day life. Use this experience to create a character who struggles with disorganization.
  • Create a character who is disorganized in one aspect of their life (work, home, relationships) but organized in another. Explore how this affects their overall personality and behavior.
  • Write a scene where your character is trying to find something important but can't because of their disorganization. Show how this impacts their daily life and relationships.
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