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When the whole world decides it’s a perfectly sunny day to turn against you (and trust me, it happens way more often than you think!), there's little you can do about it. You can sit in denial, go into a full breakdown without a return ticket, or you can laugh your ass off through staring straight into the depths of your pain.
In fact, there’s a whole online community dedicated to this coping mechanism where people share examples of self-deprecating humor. No wonder it’s such a huge success! Created in 2016, the r/2meirl4meirl subreddit has a whopping 1.3M members who come here for a daily fix.
I mean, if we cannot fight that pain, at least we can sit right next to it and have a good laugh at each other. So scroll down and upvote your favorite posts!
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#3
Raven Sheridan 4 years ago
Their DIY skills are pathetic because the Boomers DIDN'T teach them!
A growing body of research has suggested that laughing during difficult situations may help to ease our pain and distress. In order to find out how that works, we reached out to Jennifer Williams, the founder of Heartmanity, which provides people with support and vital skills needed to create a healthy and thriving life with relationships that enrich and uplift us. Heartmanity provides groundbreaking skills and programs based on brain science and 30 years of experience.
Jennifer explained that an ability to laugh during painful or difficult situations requires resilience, which is an emotional intelligence ability. “Humor and laughter during tough times don’t mean that we are not taking our lives seriously, but rather, laughing acts like a release valve on a pressure cooker.”
Moreover, “This resilient mindset stems from innate confidence in ourselves to handle life’s curveballs and challenges successfully. The quality of our life is not about what happens to us; it’s about how we interpret and respond to our experiences,” she explained.
#4
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
Hard work, persistence, and never giving up... The things that arrogant toxic-positivity personal development life coaches tell you to do so you feel more miserable and buy more of their books.
#5
I I 4 years ago
we're always the joker , trying to be the light in others lives we need in ours
Alexia 4 years ago
I wrote my comment on the (currently) first post - the one starting with "Depression isn't always dark rooms..." - before reading yours. My therapist says it's a sort of coping mechanism. And that people don't fake being depressed; they fake being ok. Hugs.
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Scagsy 4 years ago
I always played the Joker, ready for a laugh and when it got too much for me and I had a breakdown, all of my so-called friends evaporated.
Ladyandthetramp 4 years ago
Me also. Makes me cry every time I watch ms doubtfure.
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Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
So true. And that, despite being so loved. Robin Williams, though, had a debilitating disease that was taking away his intellect and would erode his motor skills. He knew he couldn't live like that. When he no longer felt like himself, he ended it. So sad he didn't have someone like Dr. Kevorkian to work with him.
Lovin' Life 4 years ago
Isn't it crazy that we have to wear so many mask just so people dont see what's really happening in our own minds. Its It's scary.
Just a girl with a brain 4 years ago
And then there’s my ex best friend who told me I can’t possibly have depression because I’m not really sad all the time and I smile
Nikki Sevven 4 years ago
A friend of mine committed suicide ten years ago. Prior to that, I had told him I'd suffered from depression since puberty. He looked surprised and said, "But you're always smiling!" Yes, because smiling causes your brain to produce dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.
Mark Fuller 4 years ago
I have been there as the life and soul of the party or chairing complex and demanding business meetings. And no one knows my arms are bandaged under my neatly ironed suit shirt and stinging like hell because they've been cut to ribbons. And I'm even savvy enough to cut so that the scars don't last. No. One. Knows. It's not a cry for help or attention seeking behaviour. It's my private way of coping. Badly. But preventing the worst.
Cristina Sacchi 4 years ago
I feel you. The worst thing is your eyes are probably telling your story, but very few souls will be able to see it. Very few people take the time to really look into them.
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Louloubelle 4 years ago
I had a salesman that came into where I work. Funniest, most upbeat person you'd ever met. I had no idea what was going on with him, until the company told me he killed himself. I was dumbstruck, but it educated me. Never accept what you see on the surface.
CatFist 4 years ago
I recently had a patient who asked to shake hand of "the big guy" (me - I'm quite tall and broad shouldered). When I asked him why he wanted to shake my hand, he told me it's "because you have smile in your eyes." It was very lovely, and surprising: I have struggled significantly with severe depression for decades...
Sheila Stamey 4 years ago
Phillip Michael Seymour... I know what incredible talent we have arranged here, but the range he and Robin Williams represent, are monumental in their loss.
Shon 4 years ago
Uhu. Does that mean I am -not- depressed? Because I -am- actually sulking and bitter?
hobbitly 4 years ago
No, the title should have been: This is what depression can also look like.
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Isabela Ivan 4 years ago
Indeed...each and every person in the collage were so bubbly and positive. The Joker....laugh and laugh...
Jessica Aubé 4 years ago
I only know Williams Farley and Seymour who the heck are the rest of those people
Tracy Jones 4 years ago
yea i was clinically depressed in my childhood( was never diagnosed but realized it later) i was always smiling and laughing but i was miserable. i am much better now
deanna woods 4 years ago
This is me a lot of the time. I am always trying to be happy and jovial and make others laugh, but I am falling apart on the inside.
Nienke Cnossen 4 years ago
I always went to the same amazing giftshoo. And at one the darkest times in my life the store manager said'there's that girl who's always happy'. Never forgotten that.
Bob Belcher 4 years ago (edited)
I thought Farley died from alcohol, not depression and that was the culture he grew up around playing Rugby.
staygoldponyboy 4 years ago
He suffered with depression most of his life and although he may have ended his life after his LBD diagnosis, that does not negate that fact.
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Ren Karlej 4 years ago
You have no way of knowing which came first though - some drugs can mess up people's heads and can cause depression. Some people may have taken drugs BECAUSE they were depressed. Being surrounded by judgemental bstards - that certainly doesn't help.
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Moreover, growing your inner optimist and practicing mindful optimism trains our brains to see the good even when things go awry. Jennifer said that in this way, we start seeing the world through a new lens. “Laughter and humor are wonderful ways to release stress and reset our perspective.”
When asked whether self-deprecating humor can be seen as a useful coping mechanism, Jennifer said that since she believes that we need self-compassion to be at our best, she’s not a fan of self-deprecating humor as a coping mechanism. “In my experience, when a person uses this kind of humor, they tend to be avoiding the reality of what is happening (evading tough emotions like grief or anger) and can be neglecting to take responsible action.”
Even though poking fun at ourselves is a healthy part of humility, the founder of Heartmanity believes that since deprecating means “to belittle or cheapen,” this type of humor can backfire, so you have to be careful. It may cause us to “feel more overwhelmed and less equipped to handle what we are facing in life,” Jennifer warned.
#10
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
Me : "I'm depressed." Therapist : "Well, don't be." Me : "I don't pay you to sound like my parents!" Therapist : "You don't pay me, you are French."
#11
“On the other hand, science shows that gratitude helps to alleviate stress, offsets psychological disorientation caused by unexpected suffering, and increases positive emotions and a sense of well-being. Therefore, regularly practicing gratitude is a far more effective strategy for stress.”
Jennifer concluded that “through appreciation, we keep what is most important to us top of mind, and then we can better stay encouraged in difficult or painful situations.”
#15
#20
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
How to get a restraining order, how to find the worst retirement house in the world...
#23
Katie Lutesinger 4 years ago
I just like the way it makes my skin tingle on a cold morning. The fact that I live alone has nothing to do with it. Probably.
#27
#28
Lovin' Life 4 years ago
Same... I hate being a people pleaser only to forget to take care of myself
#29
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
Looking at little screen, reads this, looks up at big screen...aw snap
#30
Isabel Care 4 years ago
Signed off work. Now have lots of weird and witchy hats that make people smile. And clothing colours that resemble an explosion in a paint factory.
#35
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
Coping mechanisms are the only things that keep you alive. My favorite ones are denial and rationalization.
#36
#38
Dina Simoné 4 years ago
Comparing yourself to others is the best way to become unhappy. Thats why people love Instagram so much. It brings a lot of easy accessible misery in your life.
#41
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Looking at the way things are going in the world today, this might be the wisest thing to do.
#43
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
That's just the doctrine that all governments use. "Your personal interests are not important to our society." also "Climate change happens because YOU drive a car."
#45
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
Still better than "pull yourself up by your bootstraps and count your blessings".
#48
DarkLumiya 4 years ago
and for each 7 year old doing that, there is probably a few thousand 7 year olds working in dangerous mines and jobs in unspeakable conditions ,
#54
Katie Lutesinger 4 years ago
I broke down crying on the toilet once and punched the wall so hard I injured my knuckles, and even at the time some part of me was thinking "Wow, this is right out of a movie."
#57
#59
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Surface level intelligence is a level of intelligence that's way beyond the reach of a lot of people on social media.
#60
Ozacoter 4 years ago
I hate when people insist on calling. We have a shitty reception in this village (apparently cows arent a good substitute for an antena). So the few times that I get the calls I barely understand them. People thinks that my flemish isnt good enough but I hava exactly the same speaking spanish with my family. No matter how many times I tell them to contact me via email a lot of places (like my psychiatrist) keep calling.
#61
#62
Jaded Queen 4 years ago
Geez. Human life is completely shite. Such tragedy to be born in a human body while being farthest thing from being human. One day I will be free
#65
SykesDaMan 4 years ago
"I'm the captain of the Millennium Falcon and my name is Han Alone!"! You're right: That doesn't work!
#73
#75
#77
#79
Unwelcomed Guest 4 years ago
Ha ha ha this is me in a nutshell. The only problem is it keeps working for me. I keep getting promoted yet I am a complete mess inside. I really am the epitome of fake it until you make it which just causes me even more anxiety
#80
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
Me yoo, but for some reason they were offended when I told them that I just wait in my room to avoid seeing them.
#82
Whatshername 4 years ago
Wonder what emoticon was used initially. Can still see a tiny bit at the top.
#85
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Gordon Ramseys temper is fuelled by the love and passion he has for cooking. Which proves that if you do something with a passion, you have the energy to strive for perfection. It also explains why so many companies manufacture such crappy products.
#87
#96
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago (edited)
That hair reminds me of the gender swap filter(transparent?), but I feel like I'm probably wrong coz I know I need glasses soon 😅
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Vicky Z 4 years ago
As i understand from the comments we are many little sad bored pandas around here :(
Ozacoter 4 years ago
I feel that many if not the majority of people have mental illneses. But since it is a taboo in our society we all think that we are all alone in this :(
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Suzy the observer 4 years ago
I find a small measure of comfort with my fellow pandas. Big hug to all. One thing a day and one thing at a time.
Amber Sanders Amlie 4 years ago
We aren’t alone, we may feel it but feelings aren’t facts. Putting the phone down and going in nature is the only thing that helps me. My depressed brain says isolate and zone out on screens but getting exercise and seeing the blue sky is what our brains need. I wish everyone hope and joy ❤️
turtledove 4 years ago
i was going to coment on all the ones I relate to, but i didn't want to comment on all of them
Jackie Porter 4 years ago
I frequently wish I could be 'normal' for any given definition of normal. Physically I hurt like I'm a 90 year old, I'm so overweight because I'm in so much pain that it's causing more weight gain, my brain hates me, it makes me feel like everything I do is wrong and inadequate, I have zero energy to do anything but the bare minimum to keep myself clean and my clothes clean.
AmmoniteCat 4 years ago
Can't all sad bored pandas meet up and have fun the rest of their lives?
Isabela Ivan 4 years ago
That was really good to read.finally...i m not a spoiled brat who plays cheap drama at 37. Thank you❤🖤
MrOwlAteMyMetalWorm. 4 years ago
I don't understand,honestly after all these discoveries,inventions and all these efforts to make a civilisations,are we all collectively becoming depressed and existential as a society?Is this really all our own faults like our brains tell us or is this just the algorithm of life you know pain - eee-pain-eee. Those eee s are me pretending to smile.I hope you're happy.
TheAnimalLady 4 years ago
I (partly) blame TV and movies containing fake perfect living and happy endings that give us unrealistic expectations and make us feel like we don't measure up if we don't buy all the carp they're selling us to make us sexier, smell "better", feel special by getting the "next big new thing", etc.
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Barbara Kayton 4 years ago
Hugs out to all my fellow sad pandas using our weird sense of humour.
Rita Shapiro 4 years ago
This post reminds me of an old Monty Python skit where folks were complaining about how hard their lives had been as children, each participant trying to one-up the previous one. "Every day we'd have to get up at 3 a.m., two hours before we went to bed, and lick the driveway clean..." Was there some kind of prize in the offing for who could sound the most pathetically miserable?
Aliquid A 4 years ago
The world doesn't revolve around you. Learn some empathy.
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Vicky Z 4 years ago
As i understand from the comments we are many little sad bored pandas around here :(
Ozacoter 4 years ago
I feel that many if not the majority of people have mental illneses. But since it is a taboo in our society we all think that we are all alone in this :(
Load More Replies... Suzy the observer 4 years ago
I find a small measure of comfort with my fellow pandas. Big hug to all. One thing a day and one thing at a time.
Amber Sanders Amlie 4 years ago
We aren’t alone, we may feel it but feelings aren’t facts. Putting the phone down and going in nature is the only thing that helps me. My depressed brain says isolate and zone out on screens but getting exercise and seeing the blue sky is what our brains need. I wish everyone hope and joy ❤️
turtledove 4 years ago
i was going to coment on all the ones I relate to, but i didn't want to comment on all of them
Jackie Porter 4 years ago
I frequently wish I could be 'normal' for any given definition of normal. Physically I hurt like I'm a 90 year old, I'm so overweight because I'm in so much pain that it's causing more weight gain, my brain hates me, it makes me feel like everything I do is wrong and inadequate, I have zero energy to do anything but the bare minimum to keep myself clean and my clothes clean.
AmmoniteCat 4 years ago
Can't all sad bored pandas meet up and have fun the rest of their lives?
Isabela Ivan 4 years ago
That was really good to read.finally...i m not a spoiled brat who plays cheap drama at 37. Thank you❤🖤
MrOwlAteMyMetalWorm. 4 years ago
I don't understand,honestly after all these discoveries,inventions and all these efforts to make a civilisations,are we all collectively becoming depressed and existential as a society?Is this really all our own faults like our brains tell us or is this just the algorithm of life you know pain - eee-pain-eee. Those eee s are me pretending to smile.I hope you're happy.
TheAnimalLady 4 years ago
I (partly) blame TV and movies containing fake perfect living and happy endings that give us unrealistic expectations and make us feel like we don't measure up if we don't buy all the carp they're selling us to make us sexier, smell "better", feel special by getting the "next big new thing", etc.
Load More Replies... Barbara Kayton 4 years ago
Hugs out to all my fellow sad pandas using our weird sense of humour.
Rita Shapiro 4 years ago
This post reminds me of an old Monty Python skit where folks were complaining about how hard their lives had been as children, each participant trying to one-up the previous one. "Every day we'd have to get up at 3 a.m., two hours before we went to bed, and lick the driveway clean..." Was there some kind of prize in the offing for who could sound the most pathetically miserable?
Aliquid A 4 years ago
The world doesn't revolve around you. Learn some empathy.
Load More Replies... You May Like 100 Funny Country Jokes To Kindle Your Wanderlust 55 Hilarious Memes You’ll Probably Find Amusing And Totally Relatable 97 Unhinged Sentences That Came Out Of Nowhere And Left Everyone Speechless (New Pics)
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