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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.

#1

Aw Man

Aw Man

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denzoren
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First I was like "ohhh boy" and then I was like "okay that genuinely made me laugh" I really hope this was a joke right?

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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.

#5

Found On Facebook

Found On Facebook

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

I’m probably gonna repeat myself more than once here… Heartbreaking

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#6

10 Year Challenge

10 Year Challenge

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James016
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read somewhere that the person who created insulin didn't patent it so that it could be given to people who need it to live at no cost to them. I may not have that quite right though.

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“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.

#8

Budgeting

Budgeting

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

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

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#9

In Dystopia We Were Told To Trust

In Dystopia We Were Told To Trust

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Marie
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And when the garbage man clocks out for the day that's it, job is over till you clock back in.

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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’).”

#12

He's Right

He's Right

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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.

#13

Mysterious Ways

Mysterious Ways

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

Technically he only had eleven true friends. The other one was a toxic backstabber who literally sold him out.

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#14

I Feel We Are There Already

I Feel We Are There Already

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

It’s sad that we have to make jokes out of our healthcare system in order to cope with it.

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#17

You’re Not From Around Here Are You

You’re Not From Around Here Are You

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

This is right on the nose. It was incredibly sad to see how many people really don't care about anyone but themselves

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#19

"Cries In Millenial"

"Cries In Millenial"

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

"Every generation blames the one before..." Good song, true too.

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#20

We’re Screwed

We’re Screwed

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

They should just give out a date for climate change apocalypse, even down to the exact minute and people would freak out.

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

Newspapers love taking the worst-case scenario from studies and saying "CLIMATE SCIENTISTS SAY WE HAVE 10 YEARS UNTIL CLIMATE APOCALYPSE!" and the scientists whisper "that's not what we said at all" but the damage to public confidence about dramatic climate claims is already done. See Nene's comments below.

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

Climate change was taught at my school 30+ years ago. It is still being taught today. Most people understand it, have been brought up with it. So why aren't we fixing it? ExxonMobil spent £32m lobbying against climate change policies in the US recently. A young protester with high morals can't compete with that. The nation of China is responsible for 14% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Terrible, they say. Where is your phone, tablet or PC manufactured? Or your coffee machine? Or your TV? Made in China. There is the problem. You don't want to make the sacrifice. Nobody does. And in the meantime we are all here, looking at each other and saying 'Yes, I understand, yes, it needs to stop' without ever doing a single thing about it. Other than virtue-signalling in online forums, like me, on my Chinese keyboard.

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

Further back than that. My older brother was doing a post-Doc at Scripps Oceanographic Institute back in the 1970’s as the scientists there were first starting to recognize what was happening. So that initial realization was literally a half-century ago.

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

America has always chosen to ignore dealing with these problems. They still destroy the Amazon, the lungs of the world, for profit

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

I've seem more panic for Y2K and 2012 than the environment, which really makes me sad.

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

Throw in a freaking world pandemic and they still don't get it

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

2020-21: A plague is ravaging the world, but there are real actions you can take to save yourself and your families! People: continue having weddings, parties, vacations, and don't get vaccinated when it becomes available. -_-

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

2020: A global pandemic will kill more than 3M people but you can easily stop it if you just wear a mask, stay home, and get vaccinated. People: Let's all go skinny dipping!!!!

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

Agree. Just check real quick: how long do your spend online each day? Do you know the "price" in energy of each minute you spend online? How much environmental impact you have by uploading or sharing a picture? I'm guilty! And i have a masters in resource management. 😞 Think!

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

Gee, I wonder what caused the last great melt of the "little ice age" in 1804?

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

Sad to inform you, a wasted thought, the PROOF, has not reached those, who give a damn !!!

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

Well, they told us Y2K was going to bring the world to a halt, and nothing happened, so we're a little more skeptical. (I do support efforts to save our environment)

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

They have literally been telling us this since the 70's. And, you need to get Asia and Africa to follow suit, or things are going to continue to get worse.

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

the world's going to end sometime and definitely you will too

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

No one I knew ever panicked about the Mayans were you one of the three people in the world that was.

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

People are exactly the same way about va((ines . People are so triggered just by the word that their brains just shut down.The ph arm cos are also the reason for our astronomical healthcare costs,protected from liability by our constitution,tax payers pay hundreds of millions every yr to va((ine court settlements.Ph arm cos were given half a billion dollars of emergency funding(tax payer$),&they will make hundreds of billions of dollars every year for seven years while their patent is active.That's why all of the recent censorship on social media.They don't want people thinking for themselves.Look at the posts you see with an unbiased eye.Like one put out by the CDC for Memorial Day.one side showed balloons smiling and partying,the other side all of the balloons had masks on and were crying. I can't remember the exact wording ,but you can look it up.Then look up prop/aganda used by Hi tler.We are doomed.We need to be kinder and we need to think for ourselves.

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

While it is warming up, we have no idea how long it'll be until we've had a mass extinction. Also, why is the blame being put on the average citizen instead of the 100 or so companies that produce over 70% of CO2.

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Cupcake168
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People in my country are: okay let’s take action and let’s do it fast! As long as it doesn’t touches my wallet, my car, my traveling.

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

They know it is true, but they pretend they don't, because they would rather keep their huge hummers and let a few third-world countries die rather than give up a little comfort.

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

They only worry about the apocalypse if it doesn't inconvenience them.

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

I think the best strategy is to make a list of the animals, flora and fauna as well as food that we'll no longer have in the next two decades and circulate that more often to make them understand the urgency of it. It's not happening hundreds of years from now. It's happening now.

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

Dude, that meme is an actual hoax and has been proven as such: https://www.factcheck.org/2019/05/manipulated-time-cover-on-climate-recirculates/

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Computernaut
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2 years ago

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IDK. My life isn't even remotely destroyed. Still waiting on that one.

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#23

Sad Truth

Sad Truth

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

they are literally permanently embedded into your head, theres no getting rid of them

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#25

Useless Job

Useless Job

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

A 29 year old professional footballer had a cardiac arrest last week on the pitch in the middle of an international game. You never know when people are going to need assistance.

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#28

London

London

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

If everyone in the train clapped their hands it wouldn't be London. It would be a Disney movie!

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#29

Please

Please

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

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...

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#30

Is Being Short Really That Bad

Is Being Short Really That Bad

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

I don’t get it why are we so upset about people who are shorter or taller or fat or skinny or just different in any way??? Snap out of it people

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#31

Sad Truth

Sad Truth

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

In Germany there is the discussion to raise it to 68 and step by step to 70.

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#32

And Don’t Forget Student Loans

And Don’t Forget Student Loans

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

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.

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#33

Motivation Is The Leading Cause Of Death On The China/Nepal Border

Motivation Is The Leading Cause Of Death On The China/Nepal Border

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#34

Life Can Be So Rewarding

Life Can Be So Rewarding

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

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.

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#35

I Don't Know If I Would Trust Him With My Pets

I Don't Know If I Would Trust Him With My Pets

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#36

"Millenials Are All Lazy And Entitled!"

"Millenials Are All Lazy And Entitled!"

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#37

Student Loans Put You Through College But Put You Through Debt For Much Longer!!

Student Loans Put You Through College But Put You Through Debt For Much Longer!!

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#38

It Was So Beautiful

It Was So Beautiful

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#39

How

How

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

Because if we don’t have ice cream we know we will all die a slow horrible agonizingly painful death!!! You’re more than essential

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#40

Welcome To The Show

Welcome To The Show

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

I am a millennial (vowels are too expensive to rent) ' 'm ' m'll'n''l? (Ma'am you can't afford those apostrophes) mmllnl :(

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#42

Spent $11.75 Growing Tomatoes This Year. Here's My Whole Harvest!

Spent $11.75 Growing Tomatoes This Year. Here's My Whole Harvest!

reddit.com Report

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

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!

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#44

Hmm

Hmm

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

I love my cast iron skillet that belonged to my husband’s grandmother. It took 75 years of seasoning to perfect, and I will cut anybody who dares come at it with dish soap!

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#45

I Know It Hurts Sometimes But You'll Get Over It

I Know It Hurts Sometimes But You'll Get Over It

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Note: this post originally had 59 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.