No matter how calm and patient someone is, everyone has their limits.
If someone isn’t necessarily known for their temper, you might not notice the signs that they’re about to lose it. If you notice them doing these things, beware — it’s not long before they boil over!
1. They’re doing that weird jaw-clenching thing.
You know the thing I’m talking about — their jaw is so tight it looks like they’re trying to crack walnuts with their teeth. If you listen closely, you might even hear a faint grinding sound. This is their body’s way of saying, “I’m holding back a tsunami of words, and it’s not going to be pretty when they break free.”
2. Their smile looks more like a grimace.
They’re smiling, but it’s not reaching their eyes. In fact, it looks more like they’re baring their teeth at you. This isn’t a friendly grin; it’s the facial equivalent of a ‘Beware of Dog’ sign. Approach with caution, or better yet, don’t approach at all.
3. They’re speaking through gritted teeth.
Every word is coming out like it’s being squeezed through a very tiny, angry hole. It’s as if their words are doing their own impression of someone trying to get through a packed tube station at rush hour. If they start talking like this, consider it your cue to slowly back away.
4. Their eye is doing that twitchy thing.
One of their eyes has developed its own personal dance routine. It’s not quite a wink; it’s more like their eye is trying to morse code “SOS” to anyone who’s paying attention. This involuntary eye disco is a clear sign that they’re struggling to keep it together.
5. They’re suddenly very, very quiet.
Source: Unsplash If they’ve gone from chatty to silent faster than you can say “Are you okay?”, it’s time to worry. This isn’t the peaceful quiet of contentment; it’s the ominous silence before a storm. They’re not being calm; they’re mentally rehearsing the verbal smackdown they’re about to deliver.
6. Their movements have become very deliberate and controlled.
Watch their movements. If they’re suddenly moving like a robot trying to pass as human, that’s a red flag. This over-controlled behaviour is them physically trying to keep a lid on their emotions. It’s like watching a pressure cooker and wondering which direction the lid’s going to fly off.
7. They’re doing that rapid blinking thing.
Their eyelids are working overtime, blinking faster than a turn signal on the motorway. It’s like their eyes are desperately trying to clear away the red mist that’s descending. If you see this, prepare for waterworks, fireworks, or both.
8. Their voice has gone up an octave.
Suddenly, they sound like they’ve inhaled helium. Their voice has risen so high only dogs can hear the end of their sentences. This vocal rollercoaster is their body’s way of saying, “Warning! Emotional overload imminent!”
9. They’re using an awful lot of “fine” and “whatever”.
If their vocabulary has suddenly shrunk to just these two words, Houston, we have a problem. “Fine” and “whatever” are the linguistic equivalent of a volcano rumbling before it erupts. These are not words of agreement; they’re barely disguised declarations of war.
10. Their nostrils are flaring like an angry bull.
Source: Unsplash If their nostrils are working harder than they do during hay fever season, watch out. This isn’t just heavy breathing; it’s their body literally trying to exhale the anger before it explodes out of them. If steam actually starts coming out, run.
11. They’re doing that pen-clicking/foot-tapping/finger-drumming thing.
Any repetitive, rhythmic movement is a sign their frustration has a beat, and they’re drumming to it. This isn’t just fidgeting; it’s like their annoyance has manifested as its own morse code. If you can translate it, it probably says “Danger! Danger!”
12. Their laugh has gone a bit maniacal.
Source: Unsplash If their chuckle has morphed into something that wouldn’t be out of place in a superhero movie’s villain lair, be worried. This isn’t amusement; it’s the sound of their last nerve snapping. It’s less “haha” and more “I’m one comment away from losing it completely”.
13. They’re suddenly very interested in cleaning or organising.
If they’ve started aggressively tidying or reorganising things, they’re not having a Marie Kondo moment. This is displacement activity. They’re trying to create order in their external world because their internal world is in chaos. The more vigorously they’re cleaning, the closer they are to losing it.
14. They’re using a lot of “you” statements.
“You always…”, “You never…”, “You make me…”. If their sentences are starting with ‘you’ more often than a bad break-up song, they’re building up to a confrontation. They’re mentally listing all their grievances, and you’re about to hear them all. In surround sound.
15. Their personal space bubble has expanded to ridiculous proportions.
If they’re backing away from everyone like they’ve all suddenly developed a contagious disease, they’re trying to create a blast radius. This isn’t social distancing; it’s emotional distancing. They’re one step away from barricading themselves in a room.
16. They’re wearing a smile that doesn’t match their eyes.
If their mouth is saying “I’m fine” but their eyes are screaming “I will end you”, believe the eyes. This mismatch between expression and eyes is the facial equivalent of a volcano rumbling while flowers still bloom on its slopes. It looks peaceful, but destruction is imminent. Proceed with extreme caution — or better yet, retreat to a safe distance and wait for the eruption to subside.
