Memes have a way of making you feel seen and attacked at the same time. You feel the validation, while at the same time you’re thinking, “Wait a minute. This feels personal.”
Check out this list as an example. These posts capture the mundane absurdities of life, most of which you’ve likely experienced. As you scroll through, you might want to keep count of the times you say, “Yep, I’ve been there.”
Here’s something to pass your free time on. As always, don’t forget to upvote your favorites!
#1
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#2
© Photo: Azhaya Lax
#3
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
These memes express a shared struggle we’ve all felt at one point in our lives. Many of them would likely resonate, one way or another. As sociologist Dr. Tracy Brower pointed out, hard times forge stronger bonds among people.
“Pain is a shared experience, and it is the combination of deeper processing and more memorable circumstances which tend to link us with others,” Dr. Brower wrote in an article for Forbes.
#4
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#5
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#6
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
It’s why professional fighters end up gaining respect for one another after a brutal war inside the ring. You both underwent an arduous experience, and you now share a memory that only the two of you can fully relate to.
“This deeper mental engagement tends to make hard times more memorable—and our memory is linked with the people with whom we went through difficulty,” Dr. Brower explained.
#7
© Photo: Ghouls & Gals
#8
© Photo: Mental Illness and Memes
#9
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
A journal from the Association for Psychological Science also mentioned how pain is a “social glue” among people who went through a rigorous experience together. Their research found that they not only feel closer to those with whom they’ve shared struggles, but are also willing to risk their own outcomes to benefit the entire group.
#10
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#11
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#12
© Photo: Nathanael Richardson
According to psychological scientist Brock Bastian, who is also the lead researcher, the study sheds light on the camaraderie soldiers feel after battle. However, he also noted that painstaking experiences can also take place in daily life.
“These kinds of painful experiences may be relatively common,” he said. “Sharing a spicy meal with friends may even have positive social consequences!”
#13
© Photo: Shaggy Chic : Fashion and Accessories
#14
© Photo: Ella Boo
#15
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#16
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
Now, we’d like to hear from you, our readers. Did you keep count of the times you said, “Yup, that was me”? Which of these hit home for you the most? Share your insights and experiences in the comments!
#17
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#18
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#19
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#20
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#21
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#22
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#23
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#24
© Photo: Gorbage Memes
#25
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#26
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#27
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#28
© Photo: Nathanael Richardson
#29
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#30
© Photo: Robert Kaplan
#31
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#32
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#33
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#34
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#35
© Photo: Ella Boo
#36
© Photo: Nathanael Richardson
#37
© Photo: Ella Boo
#38
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#39
© Photo: Freak Show of Madness
#40
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#41
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#42
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#43
© Photo: Gorbage Memes
#44
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#45
© Photo: Stephanie Gardner
#46
© Photo: Makenzee Jade
#47
© Photo: Spectrumy
#48
© Photo: Mysti Rayne
#49
© Photo: Ella Boo
#50
© Photo: Ella Boo
#51
© Photo: Gorbage Memes
#52
© Photo: Gorbage Memes
#53
© Photo: Ella Boo