Sadness mixed with humor in a perplexing, chaotic, and confusing way—that’s what the r/FunnyandSad online group over on Reddit is all about. An old-hand on the net, having been founded in November 2013, it has since then grown into a community of nearly 700k members.
The subreddit does exactly what it says on the tin and documents posts from all over the net that are funny and sad at the same time. It’s a melange of laughing through tears (or is that crying while you laugh?) that will show you that life is far more varied and nuanced than the black-and-white we’re used to seeing on the news and on social media.
Sadness is a very natural part of life and we ought to embrace it, instead of running away from it. After all, we can’t be happy-go-lucky all the time (I would know, I tried). And while being sad can even have certain benefits, like improving our memory and judgment, getting stuck in negative thinking patterns and endless loops of sadness isn’t healthy for our mental wellbeing.
I had a quick chat with an expert in the field of psychology about how to identify what these negative thinking patterns look like and how focusing just on our failures, having black or white thinking, and holding ourselves accountable for everything that goes wrong all harm our mental health.
This post may include affiliate links.
Aw Man
It Was Worth A Shot
I Loved Him In Deadpool
Emma Morton, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, told Bored Panda that, for example, what we tend to focus on more, our successes or our failures, can influence our long-term mental health. For instance, hyper-concentrating on all the things that go wrong or could potentially go wrong can trap us in a perpetual loop of self-criticism and anxiety.
This, in turn, can lead to feelings of very low self-esteem and even depression which, in turn, can make us unwilling to ask for help and support even though we might desperately need both. However, there are other ways how we can end up trapped in negative thinking patterns, too.
I'm Fine.. Really
Found On Facebook
10 Year Challenge
“Negative thinking patterns can include only paying attention to failures and ignoring successes, black or white thinking (e.g., ‘If I get anything less than an A+ on this test, I’m a failure’), labeling oneself based on mistakes (e.g., ‘I’m a loser, an idiot’), [and] mind-reading (e.g., ‘Everyone will think I’m a loser for not getting this promotion’),” Emma went into detail with Bored Panda how we can end up being overly harsh with ourselves.
He’s Not Wrong...
Budgeting
My husband and I were curious a few days ago about how much rent we have paid to our current landlord. It's over 160k. The house we just found and got denied for is only 149k, lol
In Dystopia We Were Told To Trust
She continued, adding that another negative pattern includes “holding yourself personally accountable for things that go wrong and attributing successes to luck or the contributions of others (e.g., ‘I only got that award because nobody else applied’).”
Blind Bruh Moment
Mind Blowing How Accurate This Is!!!
He's Right
As such, having unrealistic expectations of what we’re capable of and being unreasonably demanding of ourselves can lead to “feelings of depression and worthlessness” that in turn “make it harder to reach out for help.” So while it’s perfectly fine to feel sadness, we all need to know when to ask for a helping hand if we find ourselves constantly stuck with only negative thoughts.
Mysterious Ways
Technically he only had eleven true friends. The other one was a toxic backstabber who literally sold him out.
I Feel We Are There Already
Well, It's True Isn't?
Hearing Impaired
You’re Not From Around Here Are You
"Cries In Millenial"
We’re Screwed
We All Panic Sometimes
Group Projects Are The Worst
Sad Truth
they are literally permanently embedded into your head, theres no getting rid of them
Uplifting Quote
Useless Job
So Close Yet So Far
That's Where It Began
London
Please
Totally. I am now halfway through my second health degree and my father still tells me what medical advice he got from the TV, and when I say, "No that is not correct info" he gets irritated, "I watched the thing on TV!!" Yes coz 6-8 years education on the subject has taught me absolutely nothing....What can you do...still love him...
Is Being Short Really That Bad
Sad Truth
And Don’t Forget Student Loans
It's also because in the US you have to pay thousands of dollars in medical bills for prenatal care and labour and delivery, even if nothing goes wrong. You also get 2 weeks maternity leave, if you're lucky. A lot of people literally cannot afford to *have* a baby, let alone raise a child.
Motivation Is The Leading Cause Of Death On The China/Nepal Border
Life Can Be So Rewarding
So bloody true. The last couple of years has been one hit after the other and we aren't classed as poor. Struggling yes, poor no.
I Don't Know If I Would Trust Him With My Pets
"Millenials Are All Lazy And Entitled!"
Student Loans Put You Through College But Put You Through Debt For Much Longer!!
"We". There are so many disingenuous politicians that we have been tricked into supporting. At this point, I need one to be like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, AOC, etc., in order to think they might be willing to go against the 1% who rule us. The duopoly is corporatist through & through. If we want actual pro-social reform, we need to stop expecting the duopoly parties to provide it. Of course, Trump's biggest win for the DNC was in ensuring more hate is aimed at Green Party voters than ever before. I have even given up being registered independent because of the frelling closed primaries in PA. When I voted for Biden, I knew it was merely to apply some triage to a country that's literally bleeding out because of a madman in the highest office of the nation, supported by an insane cult of voters and congresscritters. The DNC held a gun to our heads ("Biden or Trump"), so that was the end of thinking we have any choices to make to stop this BS.
Load More Replies...
... and the worst part is that student loans (as the only type of loans) cannot be canceled, so the only way to ever get rid of it if you have no change of paying back is to die.
I just don't understand why they don't stop interest. That should be simple. And that's what causes the most problems.
Load More Replies...
I have been paying on my $30,000 student loan since 2006. It's now $32,000. All my payments go to the interest, and never the principle.
Effing hell!! What is the interest rate if I may ask?
Load More Replies...
I considered a career in law. It took me all of one hour's worth of research to learn it's one of the most expensive educations in America, and many lawyers never land work. Before investing or borrowing toward an expensive education, do a little homework to see if you might actually make a living at your chosen field. I remember reading about a couple who mortgaged their house to pay for their daughter's ivy league education to become a social worker.
You could have been a carpenter, or a plumber, on a work/ train program for free.
So are you saying that only rich people should study for "upper class" jobs and the poor should learn backbreaking occupations that will leave their body effed up by 40? People want to do what they are interested in, they should get a chance without paying for it for the rest of their lives.
Load More Replies...
This is such a crime against not only the students (hurt the most) but the country and economy in general. People are not/can not afford educations that would benefit and contribute, folks can’t buy homes or afford to have kids - that hurts the health of communities - this is a fairly new phenomenon, I believe, save for the exclusive colleges that have always used tuition costs and legacy favors ($) so the rich (sometimes dumb as rocks) get in while many others don’t. There are exceptions, but… It’s a scam. No student should have to go into massive debt for an education that contributes to society.
Run away from that country. Leave them with their f***ing debt, and take your knowledge.to some country were your healtcare will be coming from your taxes. You are welcome.
So that early in your life you learn that you will never be free again.
And it's the only kind of debt that won't be forgiven, even if you file for bankruptcy.
Biden doesn't give a s**t, democrats today are just as mindless capitalistic as the republicans. We wanted Bernie but the DNC said Nooooo!
US ppl shud do something abt their lives, dont they hve government tht care abt ppl?
Sounds like my brother. He gave up on paying them so they just take his tax return every year. We figure he comes out way ahead
oh yes..who you owe? they'll sell your paper to someone else, with fees and all...and then at the end of that next year? they'll do it again. and again. i owe something like nine grand still...on a five thousand dollar loan i took out...s**t. twenty five years ago? the loan itself put me into debt. it shud have been done at least fifteen years ago...but noooooo.
paying. no s**t paying. but every single year...that swapping and fees? is more than i paid that year. no joke..
Load More Replies...
I think that adding interest your student loan needs to be talked about
There are some professions that if you are willing to work for poverty wages in poverty areas for a certain amount of time, they will cancel some or all student loan debt but you do have to sacrifice big money jobs and there are usually a ton of regulations to go through.
I'm starting a Masters program soon. I'm gonna set my loan payments to the minimum and die with debt. They can't do nothin' about it.
As soon as I cash out my retirement fund I'm finally paying off my student loan debt that I've been paying every month for 30 years
How do those poor bastards even sleep at night? This f***ing System would absolutely suck every but of joy,, Love and happiness out of my life, I'd have bleeding ulcers and eventually would go crazy, like lock me up in a pressure l psychiatric facility crazy!
People don't seem to understand that properly educating our young people is an investment in our own future...and theirs. Do you really want uneducated morons running the country? Like they do in my country, the US?
Hey, dumbasses: DON'T BORROW MONEY YOU CAN'T AFFOR TO PAY BACK. It's frikkin' simple. Just stop it.
Sorry, I have no sympathy for a student who gets himself into that much debt. What were you thinking? K Witmer (below) "can't believe we let this happen." WE didn't let this happen. Thoughtless Matt Lane did this to himself.
It Was So Beautiful
Welcome To The Show
I am a millennial (vowels are too expensive to rent) ' 'm ' m'll'n''l? (Ma'am you can't afford those apostrophes) mmllnl :(
Cause Your In New York
Spent $11.75 Growing Tomatoes This Year. Here's My Whole Harvest!
My single beet was a little bigger, but I planted Aton of veggies - got sick and all it takes is one day of neglect for everything to die in AZ summer temps (I’m new at this). I’m surprised your little tomato turned red so soon! Don’t they stay green in early growth? But what do I know - I get oddball things in my “garden” regularly. Going to try a fall planting this year. Your tomato is adorable. Keep trying!
I Wish
I Know It Hurts Sometimes But You'll Get Over It
Note: this post originally had 59 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.
This is the most diverse post I have ever seen- stupid stuff, dark jokes, sad stuff and everything, very confusing indeed
facts for some ppl, maybe confusing for others, depends on which country u come from
I think they mean it's confusing because you don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Load More Replies...
Clearly BP is not for you. Maybe go watch Tucker Carlson rant about "the left", or Ben Shapiro ask why crime hasn't been banned.
Load More Replies... 
This is the most diverse post I have ever seen- stupid stuff, dark jokes, sad stuff and everything, very confusing indeed
facts for some ppl, maybe confusing for others, depends on which country u come from
I think they mean it's confusing because you don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Load More Replies... Clearly BP is not for you. Maybe go watch Tucker Carlson rant about "the left", or Ben Shapiro ask why crime hasn't been banned.
Load More Replies... 