Early signs.

We have a tendency to ignore the early signs:

A not-so-loud noise that starts coming from the car engine. A flicker in the overhead light that happens every now and then. A general sense of being out of creative and productive juice when we sit down to work. A subtle although seemingly toxic comment from someone we are dating. And so on...

When we ignore the early signs, things keep getting worse, first slowly and then suddenly.

It's better to take note of the signs early and act rather than wait.