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The universe hates us equally. (I hope.) Even the people who see the glass half-full have bad days. But sometimes it's easy to forget that. Our own problems seem the biggest. So what do you say we give ourselves a healthy reminder?

Those who have been around our website for long enough might remember that Bored Panda has a soft spot for life's unlucky moments. But not to kick someone while they're down, of course. Rather, to gain perspective and reassure ourselves that nobody has conspired against us and it's completely normal to lose it every once in a while.

Continue scrolling to check out who got the wrong end of the stick this time, and fire up our earlier publications to catch up with the series here, here, and here.

#2

My Dad Left His Window Down In His Truck While He Stepped Away For A Few Minutes And A Feral Cat Got In And Ate All Of His Tacos

My Dad Left His Window Down In His Truck While He Stepped Away For A Few Minutes And A Feral Cat Got In And Ate All Of His Tacos

cascassian Report

As you can see (and know), mistakes happen and things don't work out as they should. But former clinical psychologist and researcher turned writer Alice Boyes, Ph.D., thinks we can learn to roll with the punches.

"Don't expect life to go smoothly," Boyes wrote in Psychology Today. "If we reserve a hotel room, we expect it will be available when we arrive. We expect clean water to come out of the tap. We expect that if we buy a product and it's faulty or not as described, we'll be able to return it. We expect the product we order will be the product that arrives and not some other random item."

"But the more you think of discomfort (of all kinds) as something to be expected periodically, the easier it can be to handle when it arises," she explained. "It's helpful to think of these experiences as universal rather than personalizing them."

#3

Just Trying To Ride A Bike Near A Nesting Magpie

Just Trying To Ride A Bike Near A Nesting Magpie

g_nome7 Report

#4

For A Month, I Thought I Lost My Wedding Ring On A Cross Country Road Trip. Finally, I Gave Up Ever Seeing It Again When We Realized It Was Under My Husband's Deodorant

For A Month, I Thought I Lost My Wedding Ring On A Cross Country Road Trip. Finally, I Gave Up Ever Seeing It Again When We Realized It Was Under My Husband's Deodorant

I called gas stations, pawn shops, searched lost and found posts. 

roseazom Report

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#5

Just Bought Our Dream Home Less Than 2 Months Ago. Tonight I Watched It Burn To The Ground In A Massive Wildfire

Just Bought Our Dream Home Less Than 2 Months Ago. Tonight I Watched It Burn To The Ground In A Massive Wildfire

deChoochifer Report

"We often criticize ourselves that we should be able to handle blips, frustrations, disappointments, sadness, etc., better. You might think, 'Other people wouldn't be rocked by this. Other people would take this in stride.' Self-compassion skills should help a great deal if you're doing this type of criticism," Boyes said.

Also, try to understand what pushes your buttons. It can be really helpful to identify that not every piece of bad news or every inconvenience rattles you greatly, but just specific types.

#6

Got Off The Train At The Wrong Station. Now I'm In The Middle Of Nowhere Without Food, It's Raining, It's Cold, I'm Hungry And Next Train Is In 7 Hours

Got Off The Train At The Wrong Station. Now I'm In The Middle Of Nowhere Without Food, It's Raining, It's Cold, I'm Hungry And Next Train Is In 7 Hours

Lambrusc1 Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many many years ago, when I was studying in England, I went to Nottingham to visit a friend of mine for the weekend. When it was time to return to Coventry, I went to the bus station and they announced the departure for "Covent Green" in London. It was late, I was tired and I misheard. Guess who won a free trip to London! (which was twice the distance from Coventry :/)

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#7

Puppy Accidentally Ate A Bee. Everything Turned Out Fine

Puppy Accidentally Ate A Bee. Everything Turned Out Fine

reddit.com Report

#8

Here Is My Favorite Picture Of My Grandma. She Was Having A Hard Time With The Mixer

Here Is My Favorite Picture Of My Grandma. She Was Having A Hard Time With The Mixer

Bungalowbeast Report

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However, don't attempt to predict further bad news. "When unexpected issues come up, don't automatically [assume] they'll be difficult to address," Boyes said. "Don't expect a string of bad luck, e.g., 'bad luck comes in threes.'"

And as cliché as it sounds, problems can be opportunities. So when you end up in one, ask what you can learn from it. "Consider your strengths. Cars might be foreign to me, but in general, getting things done and not getting ripped off are strengths for me," Boyes said. "You can also consider your weaknesses. I'm not great at asking for help because I'm socially anxious. This was an opportunity to overcome that and ask my neighbor for help (although, to be honest, it was my spouse who asked)."

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Yes, bad news sucks. But we still have to cope with it.

#9

First Time Trying To Grow Carrots From Seeds. 6 Months Later

First Time Trying To Grow Carrots From Seeds. 6 Months Later

Down4ThaBrown Report

#10

Learn From My Mistakes

Learn From My Mistakes

BingErrDronePilot Report

#13

Guess It's Toast For Breakfast Today

Guess It's Toast For Breakfast Today

DogZim Report

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Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

fucken australia... and yes, i have no idea this was in Australia, but I'll stand by that

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OhForSmegSake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, the cereal toys have gotten so much better since I was a kid!

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Hannah Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always clip cereal packets closed after an unfortunate and deeply unpleasant spider incident.

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Dani Alexander
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is 100% Australia I can confirm, things like this happen often

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Kona Pake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don’t have to worry about snakes in your shoes too, if you wear slippers all the time.

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Chris Hooley
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my day we just got c**p plastic toys in cerial boxes. Thos is way cooler. . . .. .And no, it's not Australia. No, srudf like this doesn't happen all the time in Australia.

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Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Number one reason I put anything that comes in a box in a Rubbermaid container. (OK, Ritz crackers go in the sealed cookie jar) but everything else!

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Lynn Morello
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a Diamond Python Baby, Handled very gently it can be put out into the bushland land released for it to go it's own way.

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GlipGlop
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah the indigenous puffy rice snake, known for blessing your cereals with their offspring...

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CultOfBambi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aww, that's not so bad - he/she's a cutie. From my first glance at the top pic I thought it was a turd! Way worse... Yep, I need my eyes tested.

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Evelyn Haskins
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is NOT an Australian snake, I have NO IDEA why Americans (US people) love to think Australia is wild and dangerous. We have NO large carnivores. yes we have snakes and some are venomous. So we leave them alone. yes we have the venomous Funnell web spider, along hte snadstone areas of he East coast. The so called fearsome red-back is nothing more than a naturalised American Black Widow spider -- not highly venomous and very well behaved spiders. Brought in by Lumber ships in the early days. Yes there are box-stinger in the Coral sea. What we don't have is loonies running around with guns. We don't leave pistols in our handbags so our kiddies can kill us.

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Leanne E.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope, in Australia they’re bigger than this and would have attacked her rather than be quietly sitting in the rice bubbles. Plus our food standards are high and I don’t think I would ever see a snake in a packet of food.

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Baby Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i would be kinda happy to have that little cutie looking up at me when i open my cereal! definitely gonna go for that toast though

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Elaine Mattingly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it's rice crispies pour milk and watch the show. Mean but justified!

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Rosa Diaz ️‍️‍
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i thought the first picture was chocolate chips and i thought 'hey that's not so bad'

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Nazda Pokmov
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just a new toy they are including in cereal boxes these days.....very realistic I see

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Julie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that's why I prefer to live in a country where a moose can break through a window and enter a classroom !

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Rei
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How in the world does that even happen?! Like did she fall from the ceiling into the bag in the factory?!

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Thomas Sweda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sum, you beat me to it. I , too, naturally assumed it was Australia.

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Fxnglhl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

is there a herpetologist in the comments that can identify this?

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MikeWheelerFan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not a herpetologist, but I’m a snake owner and the patterns look like a corn snake although the head is a little off…

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Gianna
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, the factory that makes these cereals happen to let a snake in it. Fake as f**k!

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JC Walters
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you cleanout the cereal I'm sure the snack would still taste just fine.

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MikeWheelerFan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adorable! Completely harmless, do NOT hurt it. People who kill snakes are just as bad as murderers.

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#14

A Moose Broke Through A Window And Entered A School In Saskatoon Today

A Moose Broke Through A Window And Entered A School In Saskatoon Today

originalwfm Report

#15

4 Days After Moving To Chicago

4 Days After Moving To Chicago

gummymod Report

#16

My Commute Is 45 Minutes. Just Pulled Up To The Office, Reached For My Bags And

My Commute Is 45 Minutes. Just Pulled Up To The Office, Reached For My Bags And

BigLig17 Report

#17

This Flooded Parking Garage, Containing Roughly 150 Cars

This Flooded Parking Garage, Containing Roughly 150 Cars

Space-Ball1 Report

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#18

Student Handed This In Today

Student Handed This In Today

capta1n_sarcasm Report

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Monic Krugell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to write a letter stating that my oldest son's project will not be in on due date because the day before his little brother assumed that it is an unfinished art project which he can finish on his brother's behalf....

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#19

Walked To Work In A Thunderstorm, But My Boss Forgot To Tell Me We All Have Today Off

Walked To Work In A Thunderstorm, But My Boss Forgot To Tell Me We All Have Today Off

Radiskull97 Report

#20

It's Always A Pleasure To Realize That Your Coworkers Don't Know How To Close A Box Properly. Right When You're Ready To Go Home

It's Always A Pleasure To Realize That Your Coworkers Don't Know How To Close A Box Properly. Right When You're Ready To Go Home

Thunder_SdSh Report

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Hans Brandt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now you kick it on the ground and leave the mess for the one that didn't close it properly.

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#22

Just Got Stung By A Wasp And I Have A Job Interview Later Today… Can’t Even Talk Right

Just Got Stung By A Wasp And I Have A Job Interview Later Today… Can’t Even Talk Right

isakhwaja Report

#23

6 College Bros And One Brain Cell Between All Of Us

6 College Bros And One Brain Cell Between All Of Us

ChronosBlitz Report

#24

Doordashed Food And In The 5 Minutes It Took Me To Get To The Door, The Neighbor's Cat Ate Through The Box And Stole Some Chicken

Doordashed Food And In The 5 Minutes It Took Me To Get To The Door, The Neighbor's Cat Ate Through The Box And Stole Some Chicken

LandolphiN_ Report

#25

Family Vacation To The Grand Canyon. What A View

Family Vacation To The Grand Canyon. What A View

ItsCaptainSalty Report

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#28

I Heard Gunshots Outside Right Before Heading To Work, I Waited About 10 Minutes Before I Went Out To My Car And Found This. Glad I Wasn’t In The Car

I Heard Gunshots Outside Right Before Heading To Work, I Waited About 10 Minutes Before I Went Out To My Car And Found This. Glad I Wasn’t In The Car

RickTrilogy Report

#29

My Grandma’s Lunch At Her New Senior Living Residence That’s $3k A Month. Wtf Is This?

My Grandma’s Lunch At Her New Senior Living Residence That’s $3k A Month. Wtf Is This?

Residents can’t go to the dining room to eat because they don’t have enough staff so it’s deliveries only.

DianWithoutTheE Report

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Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would shout that place down OMFG. Then grab granny and take her out to lunch (if possible) or order some food .... This is so wrong.

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#30

I Wore A Mesh Hat On A 30 Mile Hike. Feeling Like Aang Today

I Wore A Mesh Hat On A 30 Mile Hike. Feeling Like Aang Today

jurz90 Report

#32

Well

Well

Abit__ Report

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Agfox
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

♪♫ We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine... ♫♪

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#33

So Finally After A Year I Was Able To Get A Ps5. My Dog Was Excited Too

So Finally After A Year I Was Able To Get A Ps5. My Dog Was Excited Too

waybackwhen15 Report

#34

I Got Stuck Behind A Draw Bridge Today. And So Did An Ambulance

I Got Stuck Behind A Draw Bridge Today. And So Did An Ambulance

flowercatt Report

#35

Both Things Happened To Me Today

Both Things Happened To Me Today

arna1 Report

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#37

Just Took This Little Guy A Bath 20 Minutes Ago

Just Took This Little Guy A Bath 20 Minutes Ago

AddiictxD Report

#38

First Halloween In My New Neighborhood And Didn’t Get A Single Trick Or Treater

First Halloween In My New Neighborhood And Didn’t Get A Single Trick Or Treater

simfire Report

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Ya boi Jakobi
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the trick or treaters loss cuz they didn't get candy. nice decors btw

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#39

Toddler Learned How To Use The Microwave

Toddler Learned How To Use The Microwave

reddit.com Report

#40

Apparently Someone Has Been Munching My Donuts And It Was Supposed To Be For My Kids After Work

Apparently Someone Has Been Munching My Donuts And It Was Supposed To Be For My Kids After Work

8slipknot8 Report

#41

Owner Used The Wrong Shampoo (It's Hair Dye)

Owner Used The Wrong Shampoo (It's Hair Dye)

AbanaClara Report

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Yeah, you heard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would you shampoo so close to the dog's eyes? Why wouldn't you stop the moment you see it's blue dye? That dog is perfectly coloured all over: I suggest this was intentional.

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#43

My Back Veranda After The Neighbour Next Door, With Which I Share A Septic System, Flushed Paper Towels Down Their Toilet

My Back Veranda After The Neighbour Next Door, With Which I Share A Septic System, Flushed Paper Towels Down Their Toilet

plasmafire11 Report

#44

Someone Parked Underground With Their Sunroof Open And A Pipe Burst Above Them

Someone Parked Underground With Their Sunroof Open And A Pipe Burst Above Them

MadDadofTwo Report

#45

Yesterday I Asked A Homeless Man With A Sign "Hungry, Anything Helps" If He Wanted A Freshly Baked, Warm Bagel. Today At The Same Intersection Something Caught My Eye

Yesterday I Asked A Homeless Man With A Sign "Hungry, Anything Helps" If He Wanted A Freshly Baked, Warm Bagel. Today At The Same Intersection Something Caught My Eye

At the time he was super thankful and nice, and I felt great about it as I drove off.

totalbangover Report

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Thomas E S Thomas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most corner-dwelling sign holders are not homeless or desperate. Some of the ones in my city work in teams of two to six people, standing at all points of egress from a freeway or a business. They can make between $2000-$4000 a day from begging.

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#46

Woke Up Last Night To A Huge Crashing Sound Only To Find My Only Car Outside Completely Totaled By A Pos Driver. Nobody Else On The Road, 1 Am

Woke Up Last Night To A Huge Crashing Sound Only To Find My Only Car Outside Completely Totaled By A Pos Driver. Nobody Else On The Road, 1 Am

Chriss444 Report

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Samantha Lomb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Technically they are liable, but you will likely have to sue to get them to pay out. Its likely such a moron does not have insurance.

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#47

Some Non-Municipal Company Started Digging Up My And My Neighbor's Lawn With No Disclosure To Put Some Internet Service In, Broke All The Sprinkler Systems

Some Non-Municipal Company Started Digging Up My And My Neighbor's Lawn With No Disclosure To Put Some Internet Service In, Broke All The Sprinkler Systems

thatsmines7 Report

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Toni Alabakovski
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Ohio, US, you call 811 (or www.call811.com) a week or 2 before digging, they will send people out to mark all of underground stuff. Many companies won’t dig unless your yard is marked or that you can prove that they were out & didn’t find anything. And it’s free.

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#48

Someone Drilled A Hole In My Gas Tank. They Got Away With Roughly $12 Worth Of Fuel

Someone Drilled A Hole In My Gas Tank. They Got Away With Roughly $12 Worth Of Fuel

Erikmustride13 Report

#49

I Was Stung Twice, Once On My Forehead And Once On The Top Of My Ear

I Was Stung Twice, Once On My Forehead And Once On The Top Of My Ear

Trash_Panda_Throw Report

#50

My Dad’s Phone. Left It To Charge Overnight, Woke Up And Saw This

My Dad’s Phone. Left It To Charge Overnight, Woke Up And Saw This

RedHot_Dragon Report

Note: this post originally had 109 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.