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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!

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.

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2meirl4meirl

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

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.

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2meirl4meirl

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

we're always the joker , trying to be the light in others lives we need in ours

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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.”

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

even better when you try to control your huffing to try and speak normally!

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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.”

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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.

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

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."

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

And don't you feel proud about yourselves when you have made the minimum in one day so you think you should award yourself with 3 days alone at home? Or it's only me?

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“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.”

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

The sound of Sunday football on tv still gives me anxiety bc that sound meant Monday was very close

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

How to get a restraining order, how to find the worst retirement house in the world...

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

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.

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Lovin' Life
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same... I hate being a people pleaser only to forget to take care of myself

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

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.

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

*When you actually wake up early* Ugh..why did I bother? *Goes back to sleep*

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

Ah, I sense something very relatable… overthinking everything

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

Coping mechanisms are the only things that keep you alive. My favorite ones are denial and rationalization.

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

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.

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

Looking at the way things are going in the world today, this might be the wisest thing to do.

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

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."

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

Therapist writes, "Funny joke about two donkeys. Remember to use at dinner party tonight!"

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

Still better than "pull yourself up by your bootstraps and count your blessings".

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

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 ,

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

That's so me! My tv is for decoration and always open on the background without sound on!

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

me right now... *drinks coffee because it could be caffeine withdrawl*

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

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."

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

Surface level intelligence is a level of intelligence that's way beyond the reach of a lot of people on social media.

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

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.

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

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

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

"I'm the captain of the Millennium Falcon and my name is Han Alone!"! You're right: That doesn't work!

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#71

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

Additional challenges include: "it's cold outside" and "there's a pet lying next to you and moving will disturb their sleep".

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#73

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

Me and the man I consider my best friend :( He is just very charismatic and social

#76

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

Intrusive thoughts. I always get the one where I open the door and gracefully slowly let myself fall out of the car while going 65 mph

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

I hated that. They were invaders, and she was the traitor.

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

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

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

Me yoo, but for some reason they were offended when I told them that I just wait in my room to avoid seeing them.

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

I’m the kid who thinks they are the decent person but realises they are not the kid that gets ignored for the first few days but the kid that gets ignored for the first few months

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

Wonder what emoticon was used initially. Can still see a tiny bit at the top.

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2meirl4meirl

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

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.

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

Pro tip: leave it for overmorrow. Disclaimer: "pro" doesnt come from professional but procrastinator

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

Yep and there's so many things that need to be fixed it's overwhelming so you do nothing but think about them

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

This one is not existential. So lose the combover and the necklace, shave, get braces, start going to the gym and get some fashion advice.

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Lauren Caswell
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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 😅

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