When you want to write the emotion fulfillment, 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 show; don't tell and immerse your readers in your story.

Fulfillment is a sense of satisfaction and happiness that comes from achieving a desired goal or realizing one's full potential. It is a feeling of completeness and contentment that arises from a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Fulfillment can also be experienced when one's needs and desires are met, and when one feels a sense of connection and contribution to something greater than oneself. In the context of character development, creating a character who experiences fulfillment can add depth and richness to their personality, and make them more relatable and engaging to readers.

Different Types of Fulfillment

Here are some different types of fulfillment:

• Personal fulfillment
• Professional fulfillment
• Creative fulfillment
• Spiritual fulfillment
• Emotional fulfillment
• Intellectual fulfillment
• Physical fulfillment

Situations Associated with Fulfillment

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

• Accomplishing a long-term goal or dream
• Receiving recognition or praise for their hard work
• Helping others achieve their goals
• Finding a sense of purpose or meaning in their life
• Making a positive impact on their community or the world
• Feeling content and satisfied with their current situation or circumstances
• Overcoming a significant challenge or obstacle
• Experiencing personal growth and development
• Building and maintaining fulfilling relationships with others

Physical Reactions to Fulfillment

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

• A sense of calmness and contentment in body language
• A smile or a relaxed facial expression
• Open and relaxed posture
• A feeling of lightness or buoyancy in movement
• A tendency to breathe deeply and slowly
• A sense of purpose and direction in actions
• A willingness to engage with others and the environment
• A feeling of accomplishment or satisfaction
• A desire to share one's achievements and experiences with others
• A sense of gratitude and appreciation for oneself and others.

I hope these points help you create more dynamic and authentic characters in your writing!

Thoughts Associated with Fulfillment

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing fulfillment might have:

• I feel content with what I have accomplished.
• This is exactly where I am meant to be.
• I have found my purpose in life.
• My hard work has paid off, and it feels amazing.
• I am proud of who I am and what I have achieved.
• I am grateful for the people who supported me along the way.
• I feel a sense of peace and satisfaction.
• This moment is everything I ever wanted.
• I am excited to see what the future holds.

Atmosphere of Fulfillment

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

• Choose a setting that reflects the character's sense of accomplishment, such as a beautiful park or a luxurious penthouse.
• Use descriptive language to evoke a sense of satisfaction and contentment, such as warm colors, soft textures, and comfortable furnishings.
• Show the character enjoying the fruits of their labor, whether it's a successful business deal or a personal achievement like finishing a marathon.
• Include details that suggest the character's fulfillment is well-deserved, such as awards, accolades, or the admiration of others.
• Use sensory details to immerse the reader in the scene, such as the smell of fresh flowers or the sound of a champagne cork popping.
• Contrast the character's current sense of fulfillment with their previous struggles or hardships, highlighting the contrast between the two states.

Verbs Associated with Fulfillment

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

• Achieved
• Accomplished
• Attained
• Completed
• Fulfilled
• Realized
• Satisfied
• Concluded
• Culminated
• Executed
• Performed
• Reached

Emotions Before Fulfillment

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

• Dissatisfaction
• Longing
• Frustration
• Ambition
• Desire
• Yearning
• Uncertainty
• Insecurity
• Disappointment

Emotions After Fulfillment

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

• Satisfaction
• Gratitude
• Contentment
• Happiness
• Accomplishment
• Pride
• Peacefulness
• Serenity
• Relaxation

Telling Fulfillment Examples to Avoid

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

• John felt fulfilled after achieving his lifelong dream.
• Mary knew she had finally found her purpose in life, and that made her feel fulfilled.
• Mark was filled with a sense of fulfillment after finishing his first novel.
• Sarah felt fulfilled knowing that she had made a positive impact on someone's life.
• Michael felt a deep sense of fulfillment as he watched his children grow up and become successful.
• Jennifer felt fulfilled after completing her first marathon.
• Greg experienced a sense of fulfillment when he realized that all his hard work had paid off.
• Karen felt fulfilled knowing that she had finally found true love.
• David felt fulfilled after completing his goal of visiting every continent.

Practical Examples of Showing Fulfillment

Here are some examples of showing fulfillment in a sentence:

• After years of hard work, she finally published her first novel.
• As she looked around at her beautiful home and loving family, she felt a deep sense of fulfillment.
• He took a deep breath and smiled, feeling fulfilled by the completion of his latest project.
• She closed her eyes and savored the moment, feeling fulfilled by the sense of accomplishment that came with reaching her goal.

Exercises for Showing Fulfillment

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing fulfillment:

• Write a scene where your character achieves a long-term goal. How do they feel? What does their body language look like? How do they celebrate?
• Imagine a scenario where your character helps someone in need. How does this make them feel? Do they experience a sense of fulfillment from their actions?
• Write a dialogue between your character and someone who inspires them. How does this conversation make your character feel? Do they feel fulfilled by the interaction?
• Create a list of things that your character values most in life. Then, write a scene where they experience one or more of these things. How does this affect their sense of fulfillment?
• Write a scene where your character reflects on their accomplishments. Do they feel fulfilled by what they've achieved? Why or why not?
• Imagine a scenario where your character overcomes a major obstacle. How does this impact their sense of fulfillment? What do they learn from the experience?
• Write a scene where your character receives recognition for their hard work. How does this make them feel? Do they feel a sense of fulfillment from being acknowledged?

I hope these exercises and prompts help you explore the emotion of fulfillment in your characters!

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