Feeling impatient
Feeling impatient means being bothered by waiting, and wanting something to arrive, finish or change sooner than it is.
If this feeling is heavy right now, you don’t have to hold it alone. Free support is available.
What does feeling impatient feel like?
You check your phone for the reply again. You shift from foot to foot in a slow line, finish people’s sentences for them, or sigh at a kettle that won’t boil. Impatience tends to grow when you can’t see an end: a reply that hasn’t come, a renovation that’s running months late, a change at work that keeps being put off.
Is impatient a feeling?
It’s a feeling, and also a trait. Some people are impatient in general, others only at certain times, like in traffic or with a slow computer. The feeling is a kind of frustration aimed at time itself.
Impatient or restless?
Impatient has a target: the bus, the results, the weekend, the person taking forever at the counter. Restless often has none. It’s energy looking for somewhere to go. Impatience ends when the thing arrives. Restlessness can stay even after everything you were waiting for has happened.
In a sentence
- “I’m getting impatient with this line.”
- “The kids grew impatient as the drive went on.”
- “She’s impatient to start her new job.”
Where it sits on the wheel
Impatient is in the outer ring, under Angry › Frustrated.
A gentle prompt
What are you waiting for? Is there anything you could enjoy while you wait?
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Something that might help right now
A slow breathing guide. Some people find a longer breath out helps them feel a little steadier.
Small things some people find helpful
- Ask yourself whether anything about the wait is in your hands. If it isn’t, you could set it aside for now.
- Use the wait for something small: a stretch, a glass of water, a few slow breaths.
- Put what you’re waiting on out of sight for a while, like your phone in another room.
- Give yourself something with a clear end to do in the meantime.
Feelings near impatient
Frustrated (one ring in)
Impatient is frustration with waiting, wanting something to happen sooner.
Irritated (also under Frustrated)
Irritated is bothered by small things; impatient is bothered by waiting.
Fed up (also under Frustrated)
Impatient wants it to happen sooner; fed up wants it to stop happening.
About the feelings wheel
Impatient is one of the 104 words on the Slow Days feelings wheel, and the list of feelings has them all. The wheel isn’t a test or a diagnosis.
If a feeling has been heavy for a while, or you don’t feel safe, please talk to someone you trust or reach out for free support. If you’re in danger, call your local emergency number.