Cats are often called aloof, but they’re actually communicating with you all day long — just not in ways most people are trained to notice.
A slow blink is a genuine sign of trust; try blinking back slowly and see what happens. A twitching tail tip usually means focus or mild irritation, not necessarily aggression. Kneading is a leftover kitten behavior tied to comfort and contentment. Excessive grooming in one spot can signal stress or a skin issue worth a vet visit, and sudden litter box avoidance is almost always a message, not defiance.
Learning your specific cat’s baseline is the real skill here — once you know what’s normal, the signs that something’s off become much easier to catch early.