ADVERTISEMENT

There has been a debate as old as time about whether life imitates art or if art imitates life. However, in the online space, the argument has switched over to whether memes imitate life or life imitates memes. I’d like to think that we create from our experiences, so that’s why so many memes on the internet are sometimes way too real for our own comfort. 

Speaking of… We have a whole batch of existential and relatable memes, courtesy of the 'TooMeIrlForMeIrl' subreddit. Scroll down to find them, and don’t forget to upvote the ones that you sympathize with the most.

While you're at it, make sure to check out a conversation with one of the subreddit's moderators under the nickname of FlyingPegasus and artists Heidi Jung and Jordan Swain, who kindly agreed to tell us more about art and memes imitating life and vice versa.

#1

Existential meme text about excitement and criticism, shared by user Aiiko.

chaseyywaseyy Report

Joanne Earle
Community Member
1 year ago

Basically my mother. If SHE wasn't interested in it, then it was Criticism City.

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    Kermit the Frog leaning against a brick wall, pondering existential thoughts about life and pets.

    dankbob_memepants_ Report

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Yes

    View more comments
    #3

    Woman's face with math symbols, illustrating existential meme humor on awkwardness and self-awareness.

    FoxOnTheRun120 Report

    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Being autistic does that to you. But I'm at that stage where I don't give many f's anymore. My autistic brothers and sisters will recognize me sooner without all the masking, and they're who I want to hang out with anyways

    View more comments
    #4

    Tweet about the awkwardness of being the third friend on a narrow sidewalk, capturing an existential meme moment.

    JortHD Report

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I feel seen

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    A person in a suit with text: "If the Earth is flat, explain how my life has been going downhill consistently." Existential memes.

    BoT-V1 Report

    Tilly’syellowsnowman
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This is probably my new favourite yearbook quote

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Tweet about existential meme humor, Googling word meanings before posting online.

    pyari_eyesha Report

    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    *searches* ...indubitably.. yes

    View more comments
    #7

    Tweet from "common sad girl" about wanting to be 14 again with new ideas, capturing an existential meme sentiment.

    sadgirlkms Report

    DC and S
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    So many ideas!

    View more comments
    #8

    Tweet about existential memes highlights avoiding new skills unless instantly good, captioned by anon with engagement stats.

    deaduglyflowers Report

    Limey
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    “To be good at something, first you have to be bad at it”

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Tweet about using humor to deflect trauma in therapy, highlighting an existential meme conversation.

    petershankman Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    *Robin Williams enters room*

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Existential meme tweet about wanting to nourish soil after d***h, with replies discussing usefulness in life.

    ronisverysad Report

    DaisyBee
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Apparently you can be planted with a baby tree and you can mix with that tree which is what I want to do - specifically I want to be made into a tree that is used for wood and gives my enemies splinters

    View more comments
    #11

    A comic strip showing a woman aging over time, ending with her saying "well, that sucked," illustrating an existential theme.

    Violetbluex Report

    Spellflinger
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Omg I have that card and have been waiting to give it to my best friend.

    View more comments
    #12

    Existential meme about late-night laundry folding and questioning depression.

    Harddonn Report

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Accurate

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Tweet about morning exercise and existential thoughts, highlighting the humor in realizing one's existence.

    Dr_ogunleye_ Report

    Firstname Lastname
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Some of us process our trauma while exercising.

    View more comments
    #14

    Elderly man in empty stadium hitting drum, representing existential meme humor.

    dankbob_memepants_ Report

    Linda Riebel
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Dear darling Bored Panda: This old guy is used in TOO MANY ADS. Please delete him from your list. Thank you,

    View more comments
    #15

    Three dogs stuck in awkward positions, humorously depicting existential memes.

    RudeBird Report

    Highfalutin Heron
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    The black lab looks like mine does when he hears thunder

    View more comments

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Existential meme with a koala and squirrel discussing failure and trying again.

    User_Not_Named Report

    NJ P
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I think you would die early from exhaustion if you always tried your best.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Existential meme about arriving early, humorously describing waiting in the car to avoid being too early.

    nightwisterias Report

    UncleJon_TheMadScientist
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I belive in Lombardi time... Where being "on time" means being 15 minutes early for the appointed time, and arriving at the scheduled time means you ate LATE.

    View more comments
    #18

    Squidward reflects on existential thoughts with text: "I want to live. I want to d*e," portraying existential memes.

    quietghst Report

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited)

    Well shít.

    View more comments
    #19

    Existential meme about adulthood and feeling tired shared by TechnicallyRon on Twitter.

    TechnicallyRon Report

    Captive
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I'm so tired

    View more comments
    #20

    Existential meme about fleeting school friendships, featuring a tweet from elto.

    Sick-a-Duck Report

    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I hated this. I was the one taking care of the new one while nobody else would and then they went off to the 'cooler' kids once they had ingratiated themselves with them

    View more comments
    #21

    Tweet about CVS interaction with humorous existential undertone.

    elle91 Report

    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Queen

    View more comments
    #22

    A person asks Mr. Henry if he's okay, with existential meme text overlayed on two panels.

    reddit.com Report

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited)

    Jemaine??

    View more comments
    #23

    A jester in red sits looking contemplative, with text about going home depressed after making friends laugh, illustrating existential memes.

    Skr50 Report

    Deborah
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Robin Williams suffered from depression. A lot of people suffering from depression, myself included, put on a happy face as a defense mechanism.

    View more comments
    #24

    Existential meme about making dark jokes online but causing concern in real life.

    Satansplusone Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    It's funny though.

    View more comments
    #25

    Existential meme with text: "Literally all you need to be an artist," above "art supplies & pain" sign in a store.

    HeroponRiki05 Report

    Adrian
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Probably intentional

    View more comments
    #26

    Text meme about reaching an age where good partners are taken, highlighting existential humor.

    ComradeKickass Report

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    What's with the about 50 year old guys? I can't find any who loves Star Wars, goes to science talks and likes to go to the pub. They all seem to have morphed into couch potatoes or gym sharks. *sigh*

    View more comments
    #27

    Text message meme illustrating existential anxiety and overthinking in a conversation.

    Estellar123 Report

    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    That's my rejection dysphoria

    View more comments
    #28

    Overweight dog lying on grass with text about accepting your "winter body." Existential memes humor.

    spillo89 Report

    MP Deco
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    my hubs and i were JUST talking about this today and...WHAM! here we are in pictures...🤣🤣🤣🤣...😣

    View more comments
    #29

    Text message meme on existential humor about rejection and reasoning skills.

    vale_gracias Report

    olaff 422
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    It's a pretty broad line between being an incel and just knowing you're the reason everything, not just relationships, falls apart in your life.

    View more comments
    #30

    Person in a fur coat with text "depression" overlayed, illustrating existential memes theme.

    eskamobob1 Report

    OzymandiasTheManokit They/Them
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    "with all honesty, being awake is worse than being asleep because embracing dreams you know will never happen is better than believing it's gonna happen" - me, right now

    View more comments
    #31

    McDonald's drive-thru with humorous existential meme caption about a Happy Meal and depression.

    HeroponRiki05 Report

    OzymandiasTheManokit They/Them
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    disappointment meal

    View more comments
    #32

    Existential meme with text about living on autopilot as a result of emotional detachment.

    shada_de_da_dum Report

    j k
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Autopilot works

    View more comments
    #33

    Dog wrapped in a towel after bath, captioned with an existential meme moment.

    DixonCiderLover Report

    Myopic chahuahua
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    so do I dog... so do I

    View more comments
    #34

    Woman navigating laser beams, illustrating an existential meme about honesty with a therapist.

    D-yerMak-er Report

    OzymandiasTheManokit They/Them
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    this happened to me except I was too honest :D

    View more comments
    #35

    Person lying in bed with clothes and shoes neatly arranged, capturing an existential meme moment.

    Officer_Friendlyy Report

    Danielle
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    That's still how we are all sleeping before we go on holiday right?

    #36

    Tweet about a 7-year-old obsessed with "deez nuts" jokes, humorously capturing an existential meme moment.

    DCheverere Report

    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    GOT 'EM

    View more comments
    #37

    Doctor shaking hands with patient as an existential meme humorously highlights lack of health insurance situation.

    Fasolt007 Report

    OzymandiasTheManokit They/Them
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    THIS REPRESENTS THE AMERICAN HEALTH SYSTEM!!!!!!!

    View more comments
    #38

    Existential meme text about simplifying skincare routine with a humorous suggestion to wash pillowcases.

    emmadmazhari Report

    #39

    Existential meme featuring uneaten banana bread at a party, with worried man inset.

    reddit.com Report

    Lana Oro
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Nobody wants to cut.. if he pre-sliced it would’ve been eaten lol

    View more comments
    #40

    Venn diagram with existential meme overlapping my 20s, The Great Depression, and 1920s.

    GrowerNotAShower2 Report

    TruthoftheHeart
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Someone forgot to tell Trump and Musk that we don't have to repeat the great depression just cuz it's been a hundred years since.

    View more comments
    #41

    Existential meme with luxury cars surrounding a regular car, captioned about friendship despite appearance.

    LindaMags Report

    Talis
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    You mean the violet one on the left whose spoiler seems to compensate something?

    View more comments
    #42

    Man pointing at his head with text about existential crisis, embodying the essence of existential memes humor.

    reddit.com Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Mid-life crisis can also be at any age because who knows what the full life duration will be.

    View more comments
    #43

    Two characters labeled "me," one holding a pole, representing an existential meme scenario.

    blokewmask Report

    #44

    Parrot humorously wears a bell as a hat in an existential meme.

    yolosweggers Report

    ManuelQue
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    😄

    #45

    A kitten looking sad with a fry, illustrating existential memes and self-reflection humor.

    everyfatguyever Report

    Wondering Alice
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    My mum tells people I'm special, but not in a good way. Wasn't funny when I was a kid, not funny now. Apparently that's just because I'm oversensitive without a sense of humour. So thanks for that mum .

    View more comments
    #46

    Man reacts humorously to dopamine meme, feeling satisfied.

    guamalum Report

    OzymandiasTheManokit They/Them
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    can I have some

    View more comments
    #47

    SpongeBob meme depicting an existential crisis about waking up for work, layered with frustration.

    dankbob_memepants_ Report

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Yeah. Especially now.

    View more comments
    #48

    Tweet about existential struggles, revealing inability to produce serotonin humorously, with a reply about not being able to whistle.

    danwright32 Report

    Intangible Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I'm 39 and can't take it anymore.

    View more comments
    #49

    Man looking at his reflection in a mirror with existential meme text overlaying.

    relativestein Report

    OzymandiasTheManokit They/Them
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    "bummer, I'm still alive"

    #50

    Existential meme featuring a cartoon character opening a door labeled "College" leading to "Debt."

    somethingofthebest Report

    river
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    upvote for dhmis "wow, look! nothing!" "DIGITAL STYLES!!!":D

    #51

    Woman looking surprised, representing existential memes about friends responding to a video awkwardly early.

    MOJOS-WORLD Report

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    They know it or can't watch it right now but don't want to let you wait because they know your s**t is gooooood!

    View more comments
    #52

    Twitter post with an existential meme about a brain cell bouncing like a screensaver.

    AIDAN Report

    panther
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Well having one active brain cell means you are more qualified than anyone in the current administration.

    View more comments
    #53

    Tweet about an apartment's large bathtub, reflecting on an existential moment.

    LilNasX Report

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    You have a bathtub? ;_; I'm jealous.

    #54

    Definition of "npc energy" with an existential meme about conversation habits.

    everyfatguyever Report

    Tom Nagel
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    The worst is when your partner has NPC energy in bed 😔

    View more comments
    #55

    A man at a restaurant looking awkwardly at a waitress, embodying existential meme humor.

    reddit.com Report

    OzymandiasTheManokit They/Them
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    plot twist: he's having a stroke

    #56

    Existential meme with a character greeting darkness and being rejected, expressing a relatable feeling of loneliness.

    Jaffaraza Report

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    Little guy, at least you still have the Existing Image Transparency of the PNG! ;_;

    View more comments
    #57

    Existential meme text conversation about poisoned drinks and cost concerns.

    WeTrippyCuz Report

    Demba Ba
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    In his profile pic you can see the he is drinking both of the drinks

    #58

    Existential meme showing a conversation where one person forgets to block the sender.

    tearing-me-apartLisa Report

    #59

    Retro illustration of a man with a red tie, next to a humorous existential meme about self-perception.

    Fresh_Ham48 Report

    Lester the Space Duck
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Well, if you ate that McDonald's happy meal above....

    View more comments
    #60

    Man on couch with remote, critiquing Olympic skater in existential meme on relatability.

    frenzy3 Report

    ManuelQue
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    😅

    #61

    Existential meme tweet listing "julia" five times humorously, asking for a goldfish back.

    WeTrippyCuz Report

    Myopic chahuahua
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    yeah julia bring the poor man's goldfish back

    View more comments
    #62

    Existential meme with a superhero responding dismissively about political discussions.

    reddit.com Report

    Nikole
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I miss Space Ghost

    View more comments
    #63

    Car with a humorous "No Baby on Board" sticker, reflecting existential meme humor.

    trxsh-1 Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Rear end?

    #64

    Cute fluffy dog sipping from a juice box labeled "want to d*e," representing existential memes.

    whatsnuts Report

    #65

    Two historical figures with text overlay about depression, exemplifying existential memes.

    piccdk Report

    #66

    Illustration of two people labeled "me" and "literally nobody" with existential meme theme.

    osxthrowawayagain Report

    Tom Brincefield
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Well, this is my life.

    View more comments
    #67

    Text meme discussing anxiety and depression with an existential theme.

    spillo89 Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I have a friend like this. There is absolutely nothing she can't turn round into a negative. Usually I just call her a daft bat and give her a hug.

    #68

    Elderly man in suit, holding glasses, with text about judging others for actions he recently quit; existential meme humor.

    reddit.com Report

    #69

    A humorous existential meme showing a man joking with a doctor about a serious diagnosis.

    ElonAndBenAreMyPapis Report

    #70

    Text tweet about existential meme on D&D planning: 1. Set date. 2. Prep work. 3. Watch cancellations. 4. Drink.

    TheProLoser Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Ok, straight to item 4 it is then.

    View more comments
    #71

    Man staring at a computer screen in existential meme, 2009 vs 2019 comparison.

    JahroPods Report

    Hile Troy
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Sure, but my glowing keyboard adds immeasurably to my lif-- Ha! Who am I kidding?

    View more comments
    #72

    A boy wearing a party hat sits at a table with a caption expressing existential humor.

    FaustinoXIV Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Your expectations were low and even that was surpassed.

    View more comments
    #73

    Existential meme of a boy making a self-deprecating joke and his friends agreeing instead of laughing.

    thelogicalkid Report

    #74

    Existential meme of a black dog labeled 'sadness' and a white dog labeled 'me' in a yard.

    dankbob_memepants_ Report

    Lester the Space Duck
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Narf.

    View more comments
    #75

    Text conversation meme about asking someone out, capturing an existential moment of rejection.

    TobseOnPcIn1440p Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Yep, sounds about right lol

    View more comments
    #76

    Existential meme about depression as a loyal companion, humorously reflecting on mental health challenges.

    Icarus649 Report

    Nosirrow
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited)

    My depression is a terminal, incurable lack of faith in people. Once you lose that, there's no coming back. I could read a hundred articles about that psychiatrist who was in Auschwitz and who believed optimism was the magical cure and still hate him and his idea.

    #77

    Existential meme showing a GPS error when trying to reach personal goals and dreams.

    pleasebeyou Report

    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    You can't get there from here.

    #78

    Existential meme by bill wurtz about having a pre-ruined day.

    22lava44 Report

    #79

    Switch labeled "h***y lol" and "I could d*e tomorrow," embodying existential meme humor.

    everyfatguyever Report

    OzymandiasTheManokit They/Them
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    GASP UNCENSORED POTTY WORD?? MY BRAIN IS GONNA MELT!!! BORED PANDA IS GONNA SHUT DOWN!!!! OHHHHH THE ANARCHY, THE PAIN!!!!!!

    View more comments
    #80

    Character adjusting mask with "Showtime!" caption; an existential meme highlighting procrastination and mental health struggle.

    dankbob_memepants_ Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    🙋👋

    #81

    Existential meme with text about handling someone at their worst, suggesting it was their best, humorously implying decline.

    damonAhAhAaaaaah Report

    #82

    Existential meme thread with comments discussing waking up to an uncharged phone.

    gromtom99 Report

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Being so needy for attention and validation like poor Valentina.

    View more comments
    #83

    Farmer in a field wearing overalls and a hat, with text referencing existential memes and humor.

    reddit.com Report

    #84

    A person doing a flip at the beach illustrates an existential meme about unreciprocated thoughts.

    NotEnoughCharacters2 Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Same guy about to faceplant into the sand, same.

    #85

    Comedian on stage delivering existential meme about escape rooms and depression, wearing a red polka dot shirt and glasses.

    whyisthatweird Report

    detective miller's hat
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Nothing like an escape room to remind me just how much of a moron I am.

    View more comments
    #86

    Existential meme with repeated words "yes" in response to the question "are you happy?"

    dankbob_memepants_ Report

    OzymandiasTheManokit They/Them
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    yes

    View more comments
    #87

    Lock labeled "lock to happiness" with key labeled "key to happiness" humorously depicting existential themes.

    reddit.com Report

    #88

    Existential meme illustration with text about self-worth and debt on a green background.

    tache_noire Report

    El hefe
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Spaghetti fingers

    #89

    Man on phone, looking worried, featured in existential meme about lying to parents on The Onion's website.

    reddit.com Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I never lie to my mother, she'd know. I don't always tell the truth though

    #90

    Tweet with existential meme text expressing feelings of failure and loneliness, featuring engagement stats like retweets and likes.

    doorbellguy Report

    Birb
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I know. Welcome to my life

    View more comments
    #91

    Comic strip with a doctor and patient discussing existential pain in a humorous setting.

    waterfly9604 Report

    Norm Gilmore
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    “Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says, "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says, "But doctor...I am Pagliacci.” ― Alan Moore, Watchmen

    View more comments
    #92

    Existential meme with a person alone in an empty stadium labeled "mom sad" under "Reasons to live" text.

    garvii Report

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    Ha ha! Not for me! She's been my lifelong biggest abuser. I'd die just to spite her XD

    View more comments
    #93

    Meme of a man rejecting "The Great Depression" and approving "The big sad," highlighting existential humor.

    reddit.com Report

    #94

    Shaggy and Scooby-Doo in an existential meme about daily struggles and depression with "Zoinks" text.

    everyfatguyever Report

    #95

    Blank attractions sign symbolizing existential memes, surrounded by trees, with the caption "people getting to know me be like."

    Dunkelheit_ Report

    #96

    A figure kneeling with a chain in a loop around its neck. Text reads: "me making fun of my own suffering." Existential meme theme.

    CrayonCorruption Report

    Lester the Space Duck
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Looks like he has sausage links coming out of his eyes...

    #97

    Existential meme showing a Dorito chip lit like a candle as a humorous response to high achievement.

    reddit.com Report