Anticipation

Forward-leaning readiness for what comes next.

Family Anticipation
Valence positive
Arousal moderate activation
Intensity Moderate
Opposite Surprise

Forward-leaning readiness for what comes next. The body holds this signal first, often before the mind has named what is happening.

Where anticipation lives in the body

Head
Pressure, fullness, mental load
Moderate
Face
Slight warmth
Quiet
Chest
A faint pull
Quiet

Related emotions

VigilanceAnticipation familyInterestAnticipation familyCuriosityAnticipation familySurpriseThe opposite
A note on this entry: The data on this page (definition, body sensations, valence, arousal, related emotions) reflects a structured reference for anticipation. A full long-form entry is being added gradually. If you have research, a translation, or a body-mapping correction to suggest, please get in touch.