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The template of the meme consists of two WikiHow stock images: one with someone looking at a bottle of pills with a label that says "Hard to Swallow Pills" and another with the pills already in the person's hand, ready to be ingested.

People download it, slap a text of what they think is a universal truth on the second picture, and upload it back on the Internet, waiting for upvotes. And we often have to give it to them. Quite a few of these memes capture some universal law, most of which we know but don't want to accept. Like, "some of your problems are your own fault, and won't get better until you actively do something about it" or "you can't make someone love you."

Bored Panda has compiled some of the most popular Hard to Swallow Pills, so continue scrolling, check out the memes, and upvote your favorites.

#1

"Hard to swallow pill meme showing a bottle and a harsh truth about going to church on Sundays."

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Jo Cooper
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of my favourite quotes; going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to the garage makes you a car.

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Clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst Mary Lamia, Ph.D., thinks that the notion that one is “in denial” seems to have taken on a life of its own as an agent of many ills and as a catchphrase for people who dismiss the implications of their behavior.

"Although denial is considered to be a defense often used by people with addictive tendencies, its attributions reach beyond those struggling with substances," Lamia pointed out. "Denial is also attributed to people who do not want to acknowledge that bad stuff is occurring in their lives, such as those who are attempting to cope with a tumultuous relationship, a life-threatening illness, obesity, a loss, or anything else that one may attempt to disavow."

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    Sure, we can deny a fact, deny responsibility, deny the impact of our actions, or even deny what is really going on by hiding from our feelings. But according to Lamia, when we use denial to defend ourselves or cope with what we feel, we contradict the reality of a situation or attempt to adjust to a circumstance by neglecting its impact. However, the extent of someone’s denial may not really be the issue at hand.

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    "What’s important is not that people recognize their denial, but that they are able to accept what they are feeling that leads to the denial in the first place," Lamia explained. "If someone excessively and habitually uses alcohol to medicate their anxiety, for example, we might emphasize their attempts to dismiss the harm that their use of alcohol will cause, rather than focus on the emotions they feel that motivate their denial. If that person stops drinking, one would hope the emotions that were formerly hidden by denial, which often have to do with shame, would be exposed and accepted by the individual."

    #3

    "Hard to Swallow Pill meme highlighting difficult truths about systemic issues and poverty."

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    postboredom
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Poor people have to work even harder than others, just to get a daily meal and shelter

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    We not only use denial to hide from any negative emotion, including shame, fear, guilt, or distress but to mute positive emotions as well. "Sometimes feeling positively may be just as threatening as negative feelings. We may want to deny the reality of our emotions, because accepting a reality that is uncomfortable, painful, or incongruous to what we expect means we must also alter our perception of ourselves. Thus, if you are in denial, perhaps you are simply trying to ignore the truth about what you actually feel, rather than about what you are doing or thinking."

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    But if you want to move forward, you have to swallow the truth.

    #5

    "Hard to swallow pill meme featuring difficult truth about being a nice guy."

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    postboredom
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This applies to both guys and gals. Nobody is as kind as they think themselves are.

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    #7

    "Hard to swallow pill meme depicting a difficult truth about personal responsibility."

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    Daria B
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's even harder to swallow the problems that are NOT your own fault, but it's UP TO YOU to clean someone else's poop to save your a*s.

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    #8

    "Hands holding a bottle labeled 'Hard to swallow pills' with text about challenging propaganda beliefs."

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    ChimeraBubbles
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like this one. Re-evaluate your worldview every so often, visit other places, talk to people from other communities, read books, and so on. It's character building too.

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    #10

    "Hard to swallow pill meme highlighting a difficult truth about the importance of providing food and shelter over prayers."

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    Monday
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm all for praying for those in need if that's what you believe in, but send a donation with that prayer.

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    #11

    Meme featuring "Hard To Swallow Pills" bottle, highlighting a difficult truth about mistakes and changing paths.

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    Fish Boden
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sunken cost fallacy. It can be so hard to let some things go...

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    #12

    "Hard to swallow pills meme about difficult truths in life, stating even post-2020, things won't necessarily improve."

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    Daria B
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True. And the nearer the end, the more I think of it. Viruses don't plan according to human made calendars. This could go on and on. And even after it's gone, the damage repair will still take a while.

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    #15

    "Hard to swallow pill meme showing a difficult truth about likeability, with text and a pill bottle."

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    postboredom
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the one thing every teenager (including me) has to understand. Not everyone has to like you, nor do they have to hate you. We just gotta let it be.

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    #16

    Illustration of "hard to swallow pills" meme with pills labeled "looks matter" in an open hand.

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    #17

    Drawing of hands holding a "Hard to swallow pills" bottle with text on parenting truth.

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

    Smoking is a good example. Children of smokers are much more likely to take it up themselves.

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    #19

    "Hard to swallow pills meme highlighting a difficult truth about common beliefs and intelligence."

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    Ray Martin
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Possibly so, but believing that the Earth is flat, or that vaccinations don't work does make you stupid and deserving of ridicule.

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    #21

    "Cartoon hand holding 'hard to swallow pills' bottle with truth about relationships text overlay."

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    Foxxy (The Original)
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The three big things needed in a relationship are trust, compromise and respect. Of course there are more like having each others back, liking the other person etc. Relationships are hard work, you need to make the effort to help it grow.

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    #24

    "Illustration of 'Hard to Swallow Pills' meme: a hand holding pills symbolizing difficult truths."

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    Dónal Ó Murchadha
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No but you can tie them up in your basement til stockholm syndrome kicks in.

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    #25

    "Hard to swallow pill meme showing a difficult truth about self-perception and friendship."

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    #27

    Illustration of "hard to swallow pills" meme with text about managing anxiety.

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    Ray Martin
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's also really hard to get rid of the mange, once you have it.

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    #30

    "Hard to swallow pills meme with text saying having tattoos isn't a personality trait."

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    Daria Z
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A hospital in my city has recently received a complaint from the family of a man saved from covid complications. Apparently, they didn't like that the doctor who saved him had tattoos and a nose ring. Isn't it bizarre?

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    #31

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Michał Jastrzębski
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    as a rider, can confirm unfortunately. Also, protip: boasting about illegal things you do while riding does not make you "cool", doubly so if you are 50. It will, tho, make me not want to have anything to do with you. Just in case.

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    #32

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    miten sasmita
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you have a certain hobby or interest, go meet the community, you'll get new friends or even lover with the same interest as you.

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    #34

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    ChimeraBubbles
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel stupid but I don't get this one. Maybe my brain is still asleep. I mean, every time I've worked with a cancer patient I have thought to myself "you deserve to be well/healthy/happy". Is this a different context?

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    #35

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Lucas
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sadly, yes. Sometimes I just want to read things and see what is going 'out-there'. Sometimes I'm simply too tired, or too in pain to try and pull together a response. Though when I do I'm always glad I made the effort.

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    #36

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Kendra Miller
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think of time as a gift, I give it to people I care about. i.e. setting aside time to hang out with my Mom every week

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    #38

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Henry Cheves
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It doesn't have to be a small town. School was easy, then I went to a gifted school, and it was suddenly very hard. I live in the second largest city in Kentucky.

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    #39

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Terd Fergison
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's why I believe karma is a detrimental belief. If you think some invisible, magic force is going to just make things better, you are less likely to pursue justice in the real world.

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    #41

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Monday
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Correction: not being able to go a day without smoking weed is a drug addiction.

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    #43

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Foxxy (The Original)
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That tablet is almost impossible to swallow but I will try every day until I can swallow it whole.

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    #46

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Foxxy (The Original)
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fat free food usually has more added sugar. Fat is the lesser of the evils so if you need to choose a healthier yoghurt it is best to choose full fat coz it has less sugar. It also depends on the type of fats.

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    #48

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Timothy Sykes
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Diff'rent Strokes used laugh tracks. So did Silver Spoons and Brady Bunch.

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    #49

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Foxxy (The Original)
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tell that to the famous artists, scientists, writers, leaders, humanitarians, dictators, outlaws etc.

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    #51

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Foxxy (The Original)
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate the saying don't speak ill of the dead. Just because the person is dead does not automatically change how that person was when they were alive.

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    #52

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Ray Martin
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The poor spelling in some of these is painful, and that is my opinion.

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    #53

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Daria B
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg. The Batmobile has lost a wheel and Joker ran away ♬♪

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    #54

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Tahani
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We are ALL special in our own unique way! There I said it!

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    #55

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Monday
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    unless you have friends that also hate texting and are cool with hanging out once a month to catch up and radio silence inbetween

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    #58

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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    Leo Fragoso
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's a LIE! It means she loves me! We will get marry and have three kids!!!

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    #62

    Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

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