Inner Conflict - Tumblr Posts
Inner Conflict Prompts
Have a character wrestle with guilt over a past mistake.
Introduce a scenario where a character must choose between two equally important things.
Show a character struggling with their own identity or sense of self.
Have a character battle their own fears or phobias.
Introduce a moral dilemma that challenges the character’s values.
Show a character torn between loyalty to their friends and their personal ambitions.
Reveal a character’s internal struggle with jealousy or envy.
Have a character grapple with feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome.
Show a character dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event.
Have a character question their own sanity or reality.
Meeting at the Crossroads
As I make my way to our agreed meeting point, doubts swirl in my mind. Should I back out now? I ponder, mentally preparing for our upcoming conversation. He'll likely brush off my concerns, showing little regard for my feelings; I'm merely an afterthought to him. Though unspoken, I sense his outreach stems from loneliness, not genuine care. If the grass was truly greener elsewhere, he wouldn't be here now. Though my words may go unheard, a glimmer of hope flickers that perhaps this time will be different—that we can finally address our underlying issues. But doubts linger; his interest in me has always been tepid at best. I refuse to diminish my self-worth for him; I know my value and have found happiness without him. So why does he still matter? Why am I even considering this? Despite conflicting emotions, something draws me to face him one last time.
Feeling unsettled, I switch radio stations for distraction, but each song echoes thoughts of him, amplifying my inner distress. With a sigh, I turn off the radio and park, still wrestling with my conflicting emotions. "Okay," I reassure myself, "I'll be fine. Growth and comfort don't always align, so I know I must push myself through this."
Just as I try to steady my nerves, my phone rings. An unsaved number flashes on the screen – it's him. Do I answer? Do I ignore it? Time's up. With hesitation, I pick up. He asks if I'm already there, and I reply that I'm on my way. We hang up. I sit in my truck for a few more moments, contemplating whether to just drive away. But deep down, I know what needs to be done. I take a deep breath, hold it for a moment, and slowly exhale to calm my nerves. Time presses on, and I resign myself to the inevitability of our meeting. Summoning courage, I step out of the truck, determined to face whatever comes next.
Minutes later, I arrive at the coffee shop. I see his truck pulling into a parking spot. Nervously, I open the coffee shop's door and slip inside, hoping he hasn't spotted me, though I'm fairly certain he has. Through the glass, I see him approaching the entrance. Our eyes meet, solidifying my decision. It's too late to turn back now; I must confront my fears head-on. Whatever unfolds from here on out, I am ready to embrace it.
Love Confusion
In the dimly lit café, amidst the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, I found myself entangled in a perplexing dance of emotions with him. Our relationship was a maze of contradictions, where every step forward seemed to lead to a tangled mess of uncertainty. He was the enigma I couldn't decipher, his laughter a melody that echoed in my mind, yet his silence a veil shrouding his true intentions. We teetered between moments of intense connection and icy detachment, caught in a whirlwind of conflicting desires. In his eyes, I glimpsed both warmth and frost, leaving me perpetually adrift in a sea of confusion, longing for the shores of clarity that seemed forever out of reach.
Passage Falls
I started the hike with a heavy heart and an uncertain mind, dragging myself toward a destination I wasn’t even sure I wanted to reach. The pictures of the waterfall online hadn’t impressed me, and I was tangled in a mess of emotions over two different guys, letting their situations weigh me down. My mood was sour, the heat was unbearable, and I grumbled about every little thing—especially the narrow trail lined with tall plants scraping against my arms and legs.
After about 45 minutes, I was ready to turn back. I felt dizzy and drained, and carrying that heavy backpack and water bottle seemed pointless for a waterfall I wasn’t even sure I cared to see. I stopped, closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths, and waited for the dizziness to pass. When I opened my eyes, I decided to push forward. If nothing else, I would at least complete what I had started.
I was now determined, ready to see what awaited me. As I continued, the trail grew more challenging. The path shifted to a dangerous scramble along a narrow cliffside, where one wrong step could send me over the edge. Each move had to be calculated, the terrain slippery with sandy rocks and dirt. Proceeding with extreme caution, I eventually found semi-solid footing and looked up.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, the words slipping out without thought. An incredible waterfall cascaded into a stunning swimming hole, far more beautiful than I had imagined. My doubts and frustrations melted away as I stood there, captivated. I felt a rush of excitement and quickly pulled out my phone to capture the moment. I carefully made my way down the steep trail, pausing to put my heavy backpack down and continue with just my tripod bag. After some hesitation, I found the courage to reach the base of the waterfall. The water was refreshing, and everything seemed perfect. I was filled with joy, forgetting all the physical and mental challenges I had faced to get there.
After soaking in the beauty for about 30 minutes, I realized it was time to head back. I wanted to make it to my car before dark, knowing bears roamed the area and I didn’t have a flashlight. As I climbed back up, I stopped to take more photos and videos, feeling a lightness that had been absent before. The once difficult and dangerous trail felt manageable. My steps were confident, and I quickly made it back to solid ground.
As I made my way back to the car, it hit me: this hike was a mirror of my life. I’d been torn between two guys—one who had my heart, wanted to play games, and make choices I didn’t offer, and the other, someone who made me feel seen and valued, but whom I wasn’t willing to move for. The indecision was exhausting, just like the early part of my hike. I’d been fixated on everything that could go wrong, ignoring the possibility of what could go right. But just like the moment I paused on the trail, took a deep breath, and decided to move forward with resolve, I realized I need to do the same in my life.
The scripture “Be still and know that I am God” echoed through my mind—a principle I’ve tried to live by all year. As I walked back, uncertain if I was on the right path, I realized I’d been focusing too much on what I disliked and overlooking what I enjoyed. I had been seeking out dangers instead of appreciating the beauty around me. This epiphany brought me peace. I understood what I needed to do in my current situation: be still and trust the journey, knowing that everything works out in the end.
Passage Falls lived up to its name that day, serving as a passage from uncertainty to clarity.