September 14, 2025
I’ve never actually seen my own angry face in real time, at least not without catching a glimpse in a passing window or bathroom mirror mid-argument. And let me tell you, that was humbling. I thought I looked like a righteous warrior, standing firm and intimidating. Instead, I looked more like someone who just realized they stepped in cat vomit barefoot.
Anger has a way of making us feel powerful but often look ridiculous. Think about it: your jaw clenches so tight it could crack walnuts, your eyes widen like a cartoon character, and your face goes redder than a stoplight. You’re convinced you look terrifying, but to everyone else, you probably look like a pouting toddler who missed nap time.
In my house, my kids have perfected their angry faces. Daisy scrunches up her nose and puffs her cheeks like a squirrel hoarding nuts, it’s impossible not to laugh. Blaise tries for a serious scowl, but his eyes give him away. And Estella? Her angry face is all full-body commitment, complete with sound effects. I’d like to say I don’t laugh when they do it, but I’d be lying.
What I’ve realized is that our angry faces usually betray us. We want to project power, but what leaks out is vulnerability. The face is the giveaway, it tells the world, “This matters to me so much I can’t hide it.” In that way, our angry faces aren’t really about intimidation at all. They’re about honesty.
And maybe that’s a gift. If we could actually see ourselves in the heat of the moment, really see the scrunched brows, the flared nostrils, the awkward tension, we might cool down faster. We might even laugh at ourselves before saying something we regret.
So what does my angry face look like? Probably not nearly as tough as I imagine. But maybe that’s the point: anger’s less about what it looks like and more about what it reveals.
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So… what does your face look like when you’re angry?
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