Joy
The best character arcs are emotionally driven. The thing about emotions is that they are always changing, even if outside circumstances don’t change. This can drive a plot forward beautifully. Take an example of an emotion, joy:
Joy
How it can manifest:
Agitating: A burst of energy, difficulty sitting still
Unhinged: Spontaneous laughter, loss of inhibitions
Pure: A sense of peace and contentment
Signs of joy:
Levity in the chest: Feeling light, as if floating
Genuine smile: Reaches the eyes, often involuntary
Open posture: Arms uncrossed, shoulders relaxed
Increased energy: Bouncing on toes, animated gestures
Brighter eyes: Widened, sparkling appearance
Thoughts associated with joy:
"How wonderful!"
"This is perfect."
"This is it - the moment I've been waiting for."
"Finally, everything feels right."
"I could get used to this feeling."
"I never want this to end."
"Life is beautiful."
Examples:
A mid-level member of the mafia finally gets made, the moment he has been waiting for. But then the realities of the job catch up with him. Eg. “You are only as good as your last paycheck. He is reduced to robbing a college fundraiser to make up the money he owes his captain.
A talented advertising executive wins a major industry accolade for his creative work. At the awards ceremony and subsequent celebration, he overindulges in alcohol, his initial elation giving way to increasingly erratic behavior as the night progresses. He does not remember what happened the night before and he lost his award.
A group of friends experienced an extended period of drug-fueled happiness during the summer. As the partying continues into fall, the debauchery takes on increasingly dark hues.