Character Trait: Flexible

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait of flexibility refers to a person's ability to adapt and adjust to changing circumstances and situations. A flexible person is open-minded, able to think on their feet, and can shift gears when necessary. They are not rigid or stubborn in their thinking, but rather are willing to consider different perspectives and ideas. Flexibility is a valuable trait in many areas of life, including in creative writing, where it can help writers develop well-rounded and dynamic characters.

Possible causes of being flexible

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

• Ability to see multiple points of view
• Willingness to adapt to changing circumstances
• Natural curiosity and eagerness to learn
• Desire for personal growth and self-improvement
• Tendency to avoid rigid thinking or behavior
• Positive attitude and optimistic outlook on life
• Openness to new ideas and perspectives
• Exposure to diverse situations and experiences
• Emphasis on empathy and understanding of others

Behaviors associated with being flexible

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

• Openness to different ideas and perspectives
• Willingness to try new approaches or methods
• Willingness to adapt to new situations
• Ability to work well with others and in a team
• Willingness to compromise and negotiate
• Willingness to learn and take on new challenges
• Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively
• Ability to handle unexpected changes calmly
• Ability to adjust plans when necessary

Attitudes associated with being flexible

You may be able to show flexible through their attitudes.

• Open-mindedness
• Willingness to consider different perspectives
• Ability to compromise
• Willingness to adapt to change
• Ability to adjust plans and goals as needed
• Eagerness to learn and try new things
• Comfort with uncertainty and ambiguity
• Resilience in the face of challenges
• Patience and understanding

Thoughts and struggles associated with being flexible

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

• May struggle with decision-making due to considering multiple options
• May struggle with setting boundaries or asserting themselves
• Adaptable to change and open to new ideas
• May have difficulty sticking to a routine or schedule
• Can be creative problem-solvers and think outside the box
• May have a fear of commitment or fear of missing out
• Often able to see different perspectives and empathize with others
• Can be perceived as indecisive or inconsistent
• May have a tendency to people-please or avoid conflict

Emotions associated with being flexible

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

• Creativity
• Empathy
• Patience
• Adaptability
• Willingness to compromise
• Resilience
• Ability to adjust to change
• Open-mindedness
• Tolerance of ambiguity
• Positive attitude
• Resourcefulness

Facial expressions associated with being flexible

Here are some facial expressions your flexible character may exhibit.

• A raised eyebrow or a tilted head that indicates curiosity or interest in what others have to say
• A nod or a slight tilt of the head in agreement with others
• A lack of tension in the forehead or jaw muscles
• A relaxed facial expression with a slight smile
• A calm and non-judgmental expression that suggests a willingness to consider other perspectives
• Soft and approachable eyes that are not fixed on any one thing
• An open and easygoing expression that conveys a willingness to adapt

Body language associated with being flexible

Here is some body language your flexible character may exhibit.

• Willingness to adjust one's position or stance
• Facial expressions that convey ease and openness
• Openness to new ideas and perspectives
• Smooth and fluid movements
• Willingness to compromise and find common ground
• Relaxed posture and open body language
• Lack of rigidity in movements or behavior
• Ability to adapt to changing situations

Behaviors associated with being flexible

Here are some behaviors your flexible character may exhibit.

• Willingness to compromise and negotiate
• Ability to work well with others and in a team
• Willingness to learn and take on new challenges
• Openness to different ideas and perspectives
• Ability to handle unexpected changes calmly
• Willingness to try new approaches or methods
• Ability to adjust plans when necessary
• Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively
• Willingness to adapt to new situations

Growth and evolution of flexible characters

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

• Overcoming a fear of change or uncertainty
• Recognizing the need for compromise and negotiation in relationships and situations
• Developing a greater sense of empathy and understanding for others
• Learning to balance structure and spontaneity in their life
• Gaining a greater sense of self-awareness and confidence in their ability to handle new situations
• Learning to let go of rigid thinking and embrace new ideas
• Learning to adapt to unexpected situations and challenges
• Becoming more open-minded and willing to consider other perspectives
• Finding creative solutions to problems

Stereotypes of flexible characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical flexible character like these examples.

• Avoid making the character too idealistic or unrealistic in their expectations, as this can make them appear naive or disconnected from reality.
• Avoid making the character too wishy-washy or indecisive, as this can make them appear weak or lacking in agency.
• Avoid making the character too passive or overly accommodating, as this can make them appear submissive or lacking in conviction.
• Avoid making the character too erratic or unpredictable, as this can make them appear unstable or unrelatable.

Negatives of being flexible

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

• Lack of clear direction or purpose
• Difficulty setting boundaries
• Difficulty sticking to plans or schedules
• Difficulty prioritizing tasks or goals
• Tendency to bend too much to please others
• Tendency to procrastinate or avoid making commitments
• Difficulty asserting oneself
• Difficulty making decisions

Positives of being flexible

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

• Being able to balance multiple tasks or responsibilities effectively
• Being more resilient and able to bounce back from setbacks
• Being able to handle unexpected situations calmly
• Improving communication and teamwork skills
• Finding creative solutions to problems
• Adapting to change more easily
• Being open-minded to new ideas and perspectives

Verbal expressions of flexible characters

Here are some potential expressions used by flexible characters.

• "Let's explore other options."
• "I'm adaptable to changes."
• "I'm open-minded."
• "I can see things from different perspectives."
• "I'm able to adjust my plans as needed."
• "I'm not set in my ways."
• "I'm comfortable with uncertainty."
• "I'm open to new ideas."
• "I'm willing to compromise."

Relationships of flexible characters

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

• Flexibility in communication: Flexible people are open to different ways of communicating and can adapt to others' communication styles, making it easier to connect with them.
• Empathy and understanding: Flexible people are often able to see different perspectives and can understand where others are coming from. This can help them build stronger relationships with others.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Flexible people are often more willing to work with others and can adjust their approach to accommodate different working styles, making them valuable team members.
• Conflict resolution: Flexible people are often better at finding common ground and compromising, which can help them resolve conflicts with others more effectively.
• Adjusting to changing circumstances: Flexible people are better able to navigate changes and adapt to new situations. This can make them easier to work with in a variety of contexts.

Examples from books of characters who are flexible

• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• Bilbo Baggins from "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Scout Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Sherlock Holmes from the "Sherlock Holmes" series by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Ender Wiggin from "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card
• Harry Potter from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling

Writing exercises for writing flexible characters

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

• Craft a scene in which your character must solve a problem using creative thinking. Do they approach the situation with an open mind or are they set in their ways?
• Write a backstory for your character that includes a major life transition, such as moving to a new city or starting a new job. How did they handle the change? Did they embrace the new experience or resist it?
• Create a scenario where your character must compromise with someone whose values or opinions differ from theirs. How do they navigate the situation? Do they find common ground or become inflexible?
• Write a scene in which your character is faced with a sudden change of plans. How do they react? Do they adapt quickly or struggle to adjust?