Character Trait: Fidgety

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait fidgety refers to a person who is restless, nervous, and unable to stay still or focused for a long time. Fidgety individuals have a tendency to move or twitch constantly, tap their feet, or play with objects nearby. They may also struggle with concentration and find it difficult to sit still or complete tasks that require sustained attention.

Possible causes of being fidgety

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

• Habitual behavior
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Stress or tension
• Medication side effects
• Genetic predisposition
• High levels of energy or restlessness
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Boredom or lack of stimulation
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Anxiety or nervousness

Behaviors associated with being fidgety

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

• Shifting in one's seat or pacing while standing
• Playing with objects such as pens or jewelry
• Fiddling with hair or clothing
• Bouncing or rocking in place
• Constantly tapping fingers or feet
• Restlessly moving around
• Tapping toes or fingers to music
• Interrupting others or finishing their sentences
• Difficulty sitting still for long periods of time

Attitudes associated with being fidgety

You may be able to show fidgety through their attitudes.

• Difficulty concentrating
• Restlessness
• Anxiousness
• Antsy
• Lack of focus
• Energy
• Impatience
• Inability to sit still
• Nervousness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being fidgety

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

• Difficulty sitting still or focusing on a task for long periods of time
• Constantly fidgeting or tapping fingers/feet
• Feeling uncomfortable or anxious in social situations
• Struggling with boredom or restlessness
• Difficulty sleeping or relaxing due to racing thoughts or physical restlessness
• Impulsiveness and acting without thinking things through
• Feeling self-conscious or embarrassed about their fidgeting
• Being easily distracted or overwhelmed by sensory input

Emotions associated with being fidgety

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

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Tension
• Unease
• Discomfort
• Agitation
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Impatience

Facial expressions associated with being fidgety

Here are some facial expressions your fidgety character may exhibit.

• Rubbing hands together or fidgeting with objects
• Scrunching or wrinkling the forehead
• Tapping or drumming fingers on surfaces
• Looking around frequently or darting eyes
• Twitching or jerking of facial muscles
• Clenching or grinding the jaw
• Biting or licking the lips
• Picking at skin or nails
• Chewing on a fingernail or pen cap
• Rapid eye blinking

Body language associated with being fidgety

Here is some body language your fidgety character may exhibit.

• Fiddling with objects in hand
• Pacing back and forth
• Tapping fingers or feet
• Bouncing legs or knees
• Biting nails or lips
• Fidgeting with hair or accessories
• Picking at clothes or nails
• Constantly shifting weight from one foot to the other
• Scratching head or face

Behaviors associated with being fidgety

Here are some behaviors your fidgety character may exhibit.

• Fiddling with hair or clothing
• Shifting in one's seat or pacing while standing
• Restlessly moving around
• Playing with objects such as pens or jewelry
• Difficulty sitting still for long periods of time
• Bouncing or rocking in place
• Interrupting others or finishing their sentences
• Tapping toes or fingers to music
• Constantly tapping fingers or feet

Growth and evolution of fidgety characters

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

• Find a creative outlet: The character can find a creative outlet to channel their fidgety energy, such as writing, painting, or music.
• Build relationships: The character can build stronger relationships with others by learning to control their fidgety behavior and being more present in social situations.
• Overcome challenges: The character can overcome challenges related to their fidgety behavior, such as social anxiety or difficulty concentrating in certain situations.
• Learn to focus: The character can learn to focus their attention and develop their ability to concentrate, which can help them become more productive and achieve their goals.
• Acknowledge and address their fidgety behavior: The character can begin to recognize and address their fidgety behavior, making a conscious effort to control it and finding ways to channel their energy productively.
• Become more self-aware: The character can become more self-aware, recognizing how their behavior affects themselves and others. This can lead to greater empathy and understanding towards others.
• Develop coping mechanisms: The character can develop coping mechanisms to deal with their fidgety behavior, such as meditation, exercise, or deep breathing techniques.

Stereotypes of fidgety characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical fidgety character like these examples.

• Avoid making Fidgety characters the butt of jokes or using their behavior to make light of their struggles.
• Avoid perpetuating negative stereotypes about fidgeting being a sign of weakness, insecurity, or lack of self-control.
• Avoid using fidgeting as a crutch for character development or to create conflict without deeper exploration.
• Avoid portraying Fidgety characters as one-dimensional or solely defined by their fidgeting behavior.

Negatives of being fidgety

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

• Difficulty relaxing or sitting still
• Restlessness and the need to move constantly
• Social awkwardness or appearing anxious in social situations
• Being easily distracted by external stimuli
• Impulsivity and acting without thinking
• Difficulty sleeping or feeling constantly on edge
• Difficulty focusing on a task for a prolonged period of time

Positives of being fidgety

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

• Fidgeting can help improve physical health by promoting circulation and burning off calories.
• Fidgeting can be a natural stress reliever, as it helps release excess energy and tension.
• Fidgeting can help improve focus and concentration by channeling nervous energy into physical movement.
• Fidgeting can provide a physical outlet for creativity and problem-solving, allowing for more dynamic and innovative thinking.

Verbal expressions of fidgety characters

Here are some potential expressions used by fidgety characters.

• Fidgeting with a pen or pencil
• Shuffling or fiddling with objects
• Drumming fingers on a surface
• Tapping a foot rhythmically
• Bouncing in one's seat
• Tapping fingers or feet
• Constantly adjusting clothing or hair
• Tugging at one's collar or sleeves
• Pacing back and forth

Relationships of fidgety characters

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

• They may have a tendency to interrupt others or talk over them, which can create tension and frustration in relationships.
• Fidgety people may struggle to maintain eye contact during conversations, which can make others feel uncomfortable or like they are not being listened to.
• They may be prone to impulsiveness or acting without thinking things through, which can lead to misunderstandings or hurt feelings in relationships.
• Fidgety people may struggle to sit still or remain focused for extended periods of time, which can make it difficult for them to engage in activities that require concentration or patience.

Examples from books of characters who are fidgety

• Bilbo Baggins from "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Nancy Drew from the Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene
• Sherlock Holmes from the Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Greg Heffley from the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series by Jeff Kinney
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Ignatius J. Reilly from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
• Tyrion Lannister from "A Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R.R. Martin
• Christopher Boone from "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon

Writing exercises for writing fidgety characters

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

• Show your character's nervous energy by having them constantly biting their nails or picking at their skin.
• Explore your character's restlessness in their daily routine, such as pacing back and forth while on the phone or constantly rearranging their workspace.
• Write a dialogue between your fidgety character and someone who is annoyed by their constant movement, highlighting the tension that can arise from this trait.
• Have your character constantly tapping their foot or fidgeting with their hands while they speak or sit.
• Show your character's fidgeting as a way to cope with stress or anxiety, like twisting a ring on their finger or rubbing their hands together.
• Create a scene where your character is trying to focus on a task, but their fidgeting becomes a hindrance, like accidentally knocking over a stack of papers or spilling a drink.
• Describe your character's inability to sit still during a meeting or class, constantly shifting in their seat or getting up to stretch.