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“Cheerful Nihilism is just sparkling absurdism,” reads the description of an Instagram account with more than 340k followers.

Titled exactly that—’Cheerful Nihilism’—the account is a treasure trove of all sorts of memes, from fun and wholesome to painfully real. So if memes are what you’re in the mood for today, continue scrolling to find a bunch of them on the list below, and enjoy!

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    #2

    Text tweet about embracing weirdness, expressing joy in being authentic and finding acceptance. Cheerful nihilism theme.

    @SketchesbyBoze Report

    While nihilism is defined as a viewpoint that rejects the existence of genuine values and beliefs and asserts the meaninglessness of life, the posts shared by the ‘Cheerful Nihilism’ Instagram account are not exactly focused on this viewpoint.

    In their own words, “Cheerful Nihilism is just sparkling absurdism,” and absurdism can mean both—the viewpoint that the universe is irrational and meaningless and intentionally ridiculous or bizarre behavior. (It’s safe to assume that many of us have taken part in the latter.)

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    But today, let’s not focus on nihilism, nor absurdism. Let’s delve deeper into the cheerful part and focus on happiness instead.

    #4

    Cat humor from “Cheerful Nihilism”: A tweet about a cat acting busy, wandering with purpose through the house.

    @Dbwagner104 Report

    Floeckchen
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Amber alert, cat masters! Dave is onto us!"

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    #5

    Funny meme about the irony of working out to stay fit while a cat effortlessly does parkour.

    @DAYGLOAYHOLE , @DAYGLOAYHOLE Report

    Floeckchen
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    maybe we would be able to do it too if we had 16h of sleep every day

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    In a piece for Positive Psychology, behavioral scientist Nicole Celestine, Ph.D noted that the science of happiness is a rather new subject in the world of psychology, which used to mainly focus on the less positive aspects of life. However, nowadays, there’s much more information on what makes us happy and what we can do to continue to feel this way.

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    “The science of happiness has opened our eyes to a plethora of new findings about the sunny side of life,” Dr. Celestine wrote, before sharing some interesting facts based on research on happiness.

    For instance, did you know that money can only buy happiness up to roughly $75,000? After this sum is reached, the monetary gains reportedly have no significant effect on our emotional wellbeing.

    Another fun fact suggests that pursuing happiness through social means, such as spending quality time with friends and family, is believed to be more effective than other methods.

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    #8

    Text post discussing living according to outdated ideals, with a comment saying, “This is gorgeous.” Cheerful nihilism memes theme.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

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    Another interesting thing about happiness is that it can, to some extent, be determined by genetics. But our experiences and our day-to-day lives reportedly play a more significant role than genetics does.

    1. Other correlational factors that affect our happiness include:
    2. Personality Type
    3. Positive Emotions Versus Negative Emotions
    4. Attitude Toward Physical Health
    5. Social Class and Wealth
    6. Attachment and Relatedness
    7. Goals and Self-Efficacy
    8. Time and Place.
    #10

    A school bus labeled with childhood fears is hit by a train labeled with greed, illustrating cheerful nihilism.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Just_for_this
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Think we've all been hit by this one in the last year or so. and it ain't stopping😣

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    #11

    A humorous text about cats darting around homes, relating to cheerful nihilism humor.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of mine is sitting next to me right now, holding on to me with both paws while she grooms her lovely self and purrs loudly. Earlier she wanted to play, so she brought a little cloth toy for me to throw to her so she can fetch it and bring it back multiple times. Cats are a true joy.

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    An Ipsos poll from 2022 found that the things that give people the greatest happiness are their health and well-being (both physical and mental), their family, and a sense of purpose. Back then, three years ago, across 30 countries, roughly two-in-three adults considered themselves “happy,” with the Netherlands and Australia topping the list of countries with the happiest people.

    According to more recent data, The World Happiness Report from 2025, Finland is the happiest country in the world, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden, respectively.

    #12

    Meme about meteorologist naming hurricanes after disliked politicians, capturing cheerful nihilism humor.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Panda McPandaface
    Community Member
    8 months ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #13

    Cheerful nihilism memes about feeling insignificant while barely doing laundry during historical events.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once had a therapist tell me to run the dishwasher twice. I just couldn't face the sink full of dishes. I had to all but wash them before I put them into the dishwasher for then to get clean in my crappy dishwasher so I just kept putting then off and putting then off. When I told my therapist, he said run to run the dishwasher twice! I was gobsmacked! What a crazy idea! But it worked. No more sick full of dishes. Next, I took a shower sitting down.

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    In addition to the warm and fuzzy feeling happiness creates, it also brings a number of health benefits. According to the Greater Good Magazine, happiness helps protect your heart, strengthens your immune system, helps combat stress and aches, minimizes the risk of certain long-term health conditions, and can even lengthen your life.

    #15

    Tweet about getting pizza with humorous exchange, highlighting cheerful nihilism through a cashier's witty response.

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    Adam Zad
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I went to a deli some time ago, and got a sandwich. When the deli-master had finished constructing and wrapping the masterpiece, he held it up and said, "Beg?" I thought it was an unusual request, but I'm an accommodating sort of person, so I held my hands up like a dog's paws, lolled my tongue out, and panted. He looked at me, confused, picked up a small paper bag with his other hand, held up the sandwich and the bag, and asked "Do you vant a beg or don't you?"

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    #17

    Funny meme listing dream jobs, including a soup reviewer and roles in an English village, embodying cheerful nihilism.

    @bookishseawitch Report

    James016
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You missed quality control at a crisp factory.

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    Happiness might not be something that comes easily, but it can make people’s lives significantly better, which is why it’s important to continue your pursuit of happiness or look for ways to be cheerful, at least. One of the arguably easiest ways to become just a little more cheerful is browsing funny memes, and if you’re done with the ones on this list, you can find more on our meme category here.

    #18

    Fluffy cat curled up, humorously unaware of its role in cheerful nihilism, with a caption on mental health reliance.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    luci (he/fae)
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    if my cats died, i think i would have a breakdown.

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    #19

    Pikas in humorous postures "puff" and "lounge," relating to cheerful nihilism with body temperature control.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Rob D
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bonus fact: when they sneeze it's called a pikachu.

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    #20

    Cheerful nihilism meme about office work compared to video game research findings on physical problems.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Anyone-for-tea?
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hahaha, I do this to help me manage my fatigue! It’s comfortable sat on the sofa, and I can partially forget how gôddamn tired I actually am.

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    #22

    Cheerful Nihilism meme: a fish being swallowed by a bird with humorous text above.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    #23

    Cheerful Nihilism meme about mental health and tidying through humorous zoo keeper analogy.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    LillieMean
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've done something similar when I'm restless after being indoors for too long. I tell myself, "The Beast is pacing around her cage restlessly, suffering without species-typical activities." Sometimes, before a long walk, I might tell my husband that I'm going to release myself back into nature.

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    #25

    Tweet meme from "Cheerful Nihilism" about being easily fooled, with a humorous and self-deprecating tone.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    cj be like
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    fool me 3 times, you already have all your evidence to prove i'm an idiot, why do you need to do it again??

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    #27

    Black cat hanging upside down on a tree, representing cheerful nihilism with the text, "mentally I'm here."

    cheerful_nihilism Report

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    #28

    Person happily sleeping in bed, illustrating cheerful nihilism through simple pleasures and cost-saving joy.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Pan Paweł
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's how my gf and me spend most of our Saturdays

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    #29

    A meme from "Cheerful Nihilism" humorously describing a woman’s affection for her cat over others.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    #30

    Cheerful nihilism meme with humorous text over an image of graves and trees in the background.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Agfox
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thomas had never seen such bulls...wait, no!

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    #31

    A weathered lemon on a tree resembling a humorous face, embodying cheerful nihilism through its quirky appearance.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Rob D
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pacman had a rough day at the maze.

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    #33

    Tweet from Born Miserable shares a darkly humorous suggestion involving elevators, reflecting cheerful nihilism.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Adam Zad
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was approaching my neighborhood cemetery one night, when I encountered a group of teenage girls. They stopped me and said they were afraid to walk past the cemetery at night and would I walk with them. I agreed and, when we got a bit over half way, I said, "You know, I was always afraid to walk past this cemetery when I was alive, too."

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    #35

    Text tweet about being like a garden, highlighting cheerful nihilism and the need for balance, with likes and retweets.

    @joynessthebrave Report

    Floeckchen
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    what the garden needs and what I am willing to provide are two different things

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    #37

    Cartoon of two doors: one labeled "S**t" and the other "Different S**t," depicting cheerful nihilism.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Thorsten Massow
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When one door closes, open it again. That's how doors work...

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    #38

    A humorous meme about ethics and cursed objects shared by Jason on Twitter, showcasing cheerful nihilism.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    keyboardtek
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    MAGA handed off cursed Trump to the entire country.

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    #39

    Cat meme humorously depicting cheerful nihilism with a cat's spirit leaving its body for comedic effect.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And someone tells you to "cheer up".

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    #41

    Tweet humorously translating "zero cares" in various languages with explicit phrases; cheerful nihilism meme.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    MarTa
    Community Member
    8 months ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #44

    Cheerful nihilism meme about taking on all worries and anxiety.

    @friend_shape Report

    keyboardtek
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    90% of everything I ever worried about never happened. Worry works.

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    #45

    Relatable meme about love language, comparing sharing memes in DMs to a cat leaving gifts on a doorstep.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Cindy Brick
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of our cats never left the entire mouse -- just the tail. Evidently it was the tastiest bit, in her opinion -- or the worst, because she knew we weren't going to eat it. One expedition produced a whole row of tails left on the doorstep.

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    #46

    A humorous cartoon rat encourages nihilism: "Eat Cheese and Sin."

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    GenuineJen
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The way he's diabolically rubbing his tiny little paws together.

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    #49

    Car window with a funny bumper sticker referencing The Cranberries and highlights cheerful nihilism memes.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Sniggiw
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love this song! RIP Dolores - such a unique and beautiful voice.

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    #50

    Cartoon clown meme illustrating cheerful nihilism with text about oversharing feelings and pretending to be fine.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The best thing to do is not stick around afterwards. First, you ghost them, then you delete all your social media accounts, and shortly thereafter, you quietly move to another town.

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    #51

    Cheerful Nihilism meme with humorous cough syrup flavor list including "festering corpse of a cherry" and "death."

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Billo66
    Community Member
    Premium
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mine tastes like charred barrels and peat. I don't mind.

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    #52

    Cheerful Nihilism meme about zoning out as a default state, with reality being one of many mental tabs open.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Pedantic Panda
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reality, nice to visit but wouldn't want to live there.

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    #54

    Child with big brain wants to understand everything, adult now enjoys memes. Cheerful Nihilism.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Daria
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    nah, i still need to understand everything

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    #55

    Graffiti on a wall saying, "SORRY ABOUT YOUR WALL," humorously apologizing for its presence.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Agfox
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Alternatively, the graffiti has become self sentient & changed the original message, so now there's a possibility of reading something different each day on that bit of wall. No, I'm not high...

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    #56

    Cheerful Nihilism meme about depression shows preference for blunt honesty over concerned questions.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Sue User
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All the home health nurses talk to my mother like she is a baby. She will close her eyes and pretend to sleep. If they keep going, she will get up, go to the bedroom and shut the door.

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    #57

    Social media post humorously citing scholars with playful labels, embodying cheerful nihilism.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Nea
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am so glad someone else thpught pf this. I know some sciolars who are ‘important’ to cite in my discipline sometimes but I know they are s**t.

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    #58

    Tumblr post humorously depicting a human body's reliance on mucus, capturing cheerful nihilism.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Child of the Stars
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was basically how I described puberty to my kid. The human body does some really gross things and in the next few years, it's gonna be a little extra gross. But the good news is that all your friends bodies are doing the same thing, so embrace it and be gross together.

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    #59

    Tweet by jon drake: "It's spooky season" grow up. Everything is scary all the time. Cheerful Nihilism meme.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    #60

    Highway exit meme depicting cheerful nihilism with a burning car, humorously missing both exits labeled "need" and "want."

    cheerful_nihilism Report

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    #61

    Twitter post from @froggywoods about being a hermit, reflecting cheerful nihilism with humor and self-awareness.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

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    #64

    Man humorously fixes leaking tank with tape; text overlay reads "awkward thing I said" and "something infinitely weirder." Cheerful nihilism meme.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Corvus
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Verbal lobotomy" - you make people forget something awkward you said, by quickly saying something weirder and more outrageous.

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    #66

    Twitter post about imagining life as a carefree goose, showcasing cheerful nihilism memes.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    #67

    Medieval illustration of a spotted sleep paralysis demon licking toes, representing cheerful nihilism in a humorous meme.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is bad enough without the live tail that cat has.

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    #68

    Relatable meme about hiring a hypeman, featuring amusing medieval wizard antics and comical frustration.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

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    #69

    Characters with rings labeled dissociation, depression, hyperfixation, anxiety, and procrastination summon Captain Trainwreck. Cheerful nihilism meme.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Savannah Newman
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    🎵Captain Planet, he's our hero, gonna take pollution down to zero🎶✨️

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    #70

    Text on a wall reads, "Roses are red, work makes you scream, I used to have dreams, now I have memes," highlighting cheerful nihilism.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    #71

    Man on a sofa jokingly shares he has dark thoughts for fun, embodying cheerful nihilism.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    #72

    Mushrooms amidst a dark forest scene with cheerful nihilism meme text above and below.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

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    #75

    Knight overlooks horizon, with text overlay on cheerful nihilism: "It is what it is" I say as I almost vomit from anxiety.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

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    #77

    Waterfall with text overlay: “Have a meltdown. As a treat.” Cheerful nihilism meme on nature backdrop.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    Robin DJW
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe explains why I have always loved waterfalls.

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    #78

    Tweet about loving quirky girls and their unique style, like a necklace made of teeth, reflecting cheerful nihilism memes.

    cheerful_nihilism Report

    OpheliaPoe
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In a high school a guy I was kind of seeing had his wisdom teeth removed and gave me one of them. I can't tell you how absolutely excited and flattered I was. I carried it around with me everyday. I wish I knew what happened to it. No one else has ever been so generous as to give me any of their bones since then.

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