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There is likely an appropriate meme for every emotion. You will find the corresponding image to express these sentiments, whether you’re excited, melancholic, or anxious

This Instagram account has no shortage of these memes, and you will likely find one related to your current emotional state. All 1.3 million followers have found solace in this corner of the internet, and as you scroll through, you may see why. 

We’ve picked out our favorites from the page. Don’t forget to upvote those that catch your eye.

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    ‘Painnful’ is the name of the Instagram page. As you’ll notice, most of these memes highlight negative emotions, whether sadness, regret, or uneasiness, each expressed lightheartedly. 

    While the knee-jerk notion is to avoid negativity at all costs, experts say there are benefits to leaning into it. A 2023 study published in the National Library of Medicine revealed that embracing unpleasant emotions is a much healthier approach.

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    #6

    Baby Yoda meme with text about slapping a coworker for money, highlighting relatable humor.

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    Paul C.
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was kneeling down, wiring up computers under some desks at work when the company engineer (a real Tw@t) passed wind about a 40cm from my face. I punched him very hard in the testicles. He said I'm going to tell your boss. I said feel free, I'll tell every person in the building why. Didn't speak to me for about a month, it was great!

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    Negative emotions exist for a reason, one of which is that they are an aid to survival. As author and licensed psychotherapist Tori Rodriguez points out in an article for Scientific American, they can, for example, provide clues to a lingering health issue that requires attention. 

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    Judging these feelings may also backfire and increase their intensity. As psychologist Emily Willroth tells the New York Times, it also encourages rumination, which may lead to a never-ending cycle of worry.

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    Experts agree that it’s important to accept negativity as a part of life, much like how these memes express it. As Rodriguez notes, it’s about acknowledging these feelings without feeling unnecessary urgency to flip that switch. 

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    As she stated, deep breaths and imagining these feelings as floating clouds could be creative reminders that the storm will pass. 

    Another way to look at negative emotions is to approach them with curiosity, as suggested by neuropathic physician Dr. Amanda Shallcross. As she told the Times, you can use your body and experience as a “laboratory” and ask yourself, “What’s here?” 

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    #14

    Giant Monopoly board on the floor of a room under renovation, showcasing a relatable and slightly sad meme moment.

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    Kayci Styles
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess that is one way to keep your sister from angrily overturn the board.

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    #15

    Boss asks for two weeks notice; meme character humorously implies they won't give it. Relatable meme about quitting.

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    VNES101
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But they'll fire you and tell you to clean out your desk IMMEDIATELY.

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    Overall, it’s about having a holistic view of human emotions. As neuroscientist and writer Aditi Subramaniam notes, a mindful approach makes more sense. 

    “It would serve us well rather than falling for the lie that only some types of emotions are good or worth experiencing,” she wrote in an article for Psychology Today.

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    #17

    Cartoon character lying awkwardly with text about sleep struggles, highlighting relatable sad humor memes.

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    PiAnisum
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm now nearly 44 and I feel this in every nerve in my neck & spine

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    #19

    Curious eagle meme, relatable expression after proving doubters wrong.

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    Toothless Feline
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a cardinal rule of fiction: The more insistent a character is that something can't be done, the sooner it will happen.

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    #20

    Blurry bathroom stalls at a gym with humorous caption, reflecting relatable meme humor.

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    YakFactory
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How can you relax when you're on view to everyone? Not a good look.

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    #21

    Medieval art with a person in blue robe praying as a small demon-like figure floats above, illustrating a relatable sad meme.

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    Ba-Na-Na
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s that easy!? Wow. I thought I just had to go for a walk or think positive. 😒

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    #22

    Dog sleeping in a humorous pose on a couch, creating a relatable and slightly sad meme moment.

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    #26

    Blurry distressed face mimicking reaction to calf cramp; evokes relatable sad meme humor.

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    Mimi M
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    bend your foot up towards your knee as hard as you can.

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    #28

    Split image of a cartoon woman in a dress and a disheveled puppet, illustrating a relatable sad meme contrast.

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    #29

    Man with a bewildered expression, illustrating sad but relatable meme about short sleep duration in minutes.

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    Sarah
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And for those whole 8 minutes I dreamt that I was awake and couldn’t sleep

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    #30

    A meme depicting a distressed man as pineapple is added to a pizza, reflecting a relatable, humorous scenario.

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    winterwidow87
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I live in Bologna and i only know of one pizzeria that makes pineapple pizza. If you look at the menu it's called "Abominio" which is italian for abomination, and it has the american flag near the name. It's also super expensive so hopefully people understand that it's only there as a joke and don't actually order it. I am not sure tourists get this though, i bet there's probably at least one tourist who ordered it and then complained about how expensive it was.

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    #34

    Tweet about sharing personal life with mom, expressing both a sad and relatable feeling.

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    merlin
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh you'll regret it! Been there done that. Never again!

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    #36

    A sign with the words "It's OK to feel bad after making the right decision," capturing sad but relatable memes.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    S**t is censored, but an candid photo of the blurred toilet is OK? 🤔

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    #38

    Highway sign with a humorous, relatable message about driving distractions, circled in red.

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    #39

    Random meme collage featuring cats and Kermit in humorous and relatable scenarios.

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    slay_potato
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My friend is tryna make me pull an all nighter and I feel like all of these

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    #41

    Elderly friends taking a selfie in a lake, capturing a relatable future moment.

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    Sarah
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And when they return home.. they don’t even have a job to get up for… I’m going to tell my company- I identify as a retiree..

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    #44

    Two men being escorted by FBI agents, humorously depicting relatable memes.

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    #45

    Sad relatable meme about work response to family loss, highlighting challenges of balancing personal grief and job expectations.

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    Caro
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am not sure about this. This conversation took place at 11.33 am. Seems a bit late to inform the employer about your situation. I am pretty sure my employer too expects me to call him as early as possible to inform him and not to just not show up to and just wait until he calls me to inquire about where I am. And I really think this is OK. I live in Germany.

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    #46

    Text conversation with relatable and slightly sad message about real love, showing affectionate morning exchange.

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    #47

    Creepy figure in a car with the text about checking if others vibe with their song; a relatable meme.

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    Snowkit
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same but then they look at me like I’m crazy when they hear the line: “die bunny”.

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    #48

    Child in "New York" shirt looking tired on a couch, reflecting the relatable feeling of fatigue.

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    #50

    Humorous bed with a massive fan headboard, making sleep a cooler, relatable experience.

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    nottheactualphoto
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I bet you would; there's no place for the air to come from. But at least it would be noisy.

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    #51

    Man in a tropical shirt stands by the water with text overlay about financial struggles and fraud. Relatable memes.

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    #52

    A relatable meme of a tired creature in bed at 5:00 AM, representing a sleepy response.

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    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    2 months ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Now see a really loving man would leave a lovely note on the pillow n let us sleep lol

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    #55

    Person facepalming in three images, expressing relatable feelings about adulting struggles.

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    Snowkit
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me realizing that my 5:00-9:00 school day will never end, just change into work days. Considering I can find a job. 🤦🏽‍♀️

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    #56

    Elderly man in green tracksuit looks happy, then sad in a meme about relatable work life changes.

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    #57

    Sad relatable meme of a cartoon character looking disappointed after stepping on a leaf that doesn't crunch.

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    #58

    Squidward walking away meme, illustrating a relatable sad moment about needing more work hours.

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    #59

    Text conversation meme showing a relatable exchange about scheduling and tone.

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

    Must be a mother, they can hear our tones wheatger we’re speaking or not…edit:just noticed the end, disregard everything I said. 😳

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    #62

    Cartoon character sitting tiredly with pancakes and coffee, reflecting on relatable life in their 20s.

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    Wang Zhuang
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I definitely wouldn't mind being in my 20s again. I had so much more energy :P

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    #63

    SpongeBob and Patrick in a jail setting, resembling sad, relatable memes about returning to work after the weekend.

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    Snowkit
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How it feels going back to school after any break at all.

    #66

    Tweet image of a relatable sad meme about feeling dramatic after crying, with a humorous reply minimizing the situation.

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    #68

    Tweet questioning why guys don't post about their attractive girlfriends; relatable meme.

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    Panda McPandaface
    Community Member
    2 months ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Yes, guy should post picture of all their possessions.

    #69

    Cartoon character in front of mirror, wearing a knit cap and glasses, with text: "When the outfit eats but it’s obvious I do too."

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    #74

    Cartoon mouse relatable meme contemplating what to take from a closet.

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    Jaya
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why do you even need to think about it? It's his hoodie, duh!