Sometimes we need to brace ourselves before hopping online. Reading the news and scrolling through social media can be unexpectedly distressing experiences. You never know what tragic event has occurred since the last time you checked in with the world, but we can expect one thing: the news is usually filled with more upsetting stories than uplifting ones.
For a refreshing change of pace, many people turn to the Unexpectedly Wholesome subreddit. With a community of over 170k members, r/UnexpectedlyWholesome is a warm, safe place where users share situations they’ve experienced or seen online that end in an uplifting twist. From parents being surprisingly supportive to animals acting as adorable as ever, enjoy this list of reminders that our world still has plenty of positivity left to go around. Then if you’re in need of even more heartwarming content after finishing this piece, we’ve got you covered with another Unexpectedly Wholesome Bored Panda list right here.
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Hopefully This Hasn't Been Posted Yet, Its A Goldmine
You know that saying “out of sight, out of mind”? I think that idea rings true for a lot of us. And this day in age, where we’re dealing with, or at the very least witnessing, a pandemic, war and the destruction of our planet due to climate change (that we caused!), it can be easy for uplifting stories to fade right out of sight. And it’s not our fault. When all we see in the media is upsetting reports, it's an understandable reaction to feel like nothing good ever happens anymore. But with pages like Unexpectedly Wholesome, we can bring positivity back to the front of our minds, even for just a few minutes each day.
Writer Emily Torres published a piece last year titled “Why Are We Craving ‘Wholesome’ Things In 2021?”, and she hit the nail on the head by saying, “In a year that’s left nothing but holes in our hearts, we’re all trying to find some way back to our whole selves.”
Major Respect To The Manager Of The Bar
Emily went on to liken the holes in our hearts to nutrient deficiencies that we can help fix with regular supplements like “smell[ing] the clean fur of a sun-drenched puppy”. “Wholesome moments are everywhere,” Emily notes. “If only we’ll pay attention to them.” She recommends readers become more observant in their daily lives and, instead of rushing through things, stop to appreciate the little things. It’s hard to describe the feeling one gets when experiencing or witnessing a purely wholesome moment, but it’s sort of a rush of warmth that almost does give the sensation of a hole being filled.
Emily also notes that being uplifting doesn’t have to be a temporary state. “Being ‘wholesome’ is not a performance; rather, it’s a state of being that is sustainable and life-giving to us and those around us.” It’s natural to feel a longing for wholesomeness, and we owe it to ourselves, and those around us, to feed that desire and allow positivity to blossom.
Santa Comes In Many Forms
Stupid Idiots And Their Cute Pets
So how do we find positivity in our daily lives? Aside from a few minutes on the Unexpectedly Wholesome subreddit each day, a doctor might also prescribe you a healthy dose of positive-thinking content through books or podcasts. Luckily, the internet has unlimited resources to help you boost your serotonin levels. One book on this topic is The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by New York Time’s best-selling author Shawn Achor. Achor is the author of 5 successful books, but The Happiness Advantage is his most popular and is described as “the happy secret to greater success and fulfillment in work and life—a must-read for everyone trying to flourish in a world of increasing stress and negativity”.
I Just Saw This On Fb I Don’t Know If It’s Been Posted Here But I Had All Sorts Of Feels!!! I Definitely Smiled Tho
Wholesome Arnold
As far as podcasts are concerned, the world is your oyster in finding positive content there as well. One popular research-based positive podcast is “The Science of Happiness”, which is hosted by award-winning psychologist Dacher Keltner. The show, which has been running since 2018, now has 115 episodes, with each one featuring tips for leading a more joyful life. Topics the show has covered include “How to Find Your Spark in Life”, “How Gratitude Renews Us”, “24 Hours of Kindness” and “Scheduling Time to Feel Awesome”. Listeners also give the podcast glowing reviews. One fan wrote, “It’s wonderful to learn about yourself through other people’s experiences. It takes the pressure off and allows the listener to be inspired without being deterred by one's own insecurities. These stories are entertaining and thought-provoking.”
This Is A Real Christian
They Stay With Us In Unexpected Ways
It Warms My Heart To See People Who Are Often Stereotyped As Violent Be Caring And Companionate
Everyone’s definition of wholesome may be slightly different: some people are thrilled by the sight of babies while others only melt when they see adorable animals. Even virtual encounters and memes can be incredibly wholesome for some people. In 2017, Time magazine published a piece titled “How the Internet Is Getting a Little Nicer, One Meme at a Time” detailing the story of how Twitter user @JonnySun gave the Sad Kermit meme, which was viral at the time, an uplifting twist by challenging his followers to turn “a virtual punch line into a symbol of hope”. Some of the captions submitted were “when you remember how much someone loves you" and “when you’re so proud of how far you have come, and excited for how far you have to go". While memes often have a more cynical twist, they can be used to promote a little positivity online as well.
I Mean, We Were All Thinking The Same Thing
Football Coach Cancels Practice...
Who Wouldn't Love Rodger?
One of the reasons the posts on this list are so enjoyable is because the endings are unexpected. But why do our brains always jump to the worst case scenario? Why do we start reading something and begin to brace ourselves for bad news? According to Meg Jay, a clinical psychologist, our brains are actually wired to expect the worst. “When early humans were wandering the Earth, underestimating what was around the corner (or in the bushes or the forest) could be deadly,” Meg explains in a piece for Harvard Business Review. “This is why the most primitive parts of our brains take a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach to uncertainties, both big and small.”
This Is The Most Wholesome Thing That Ever Wholesomed
Suddenly, Happiness
Taking Time To Love One Another
Apparently jumping to the worst case scenario, or catastrophizing, is incredibly common, especially for young people. Meg explains that we’re most likely to have a mindset that assumes the worst between the ages of 18-35, because those are typically the most unsettled years of people’s lives. She goes on to note that the development of the prefrontal cortex that’s happening during our 20’s doesn’t help the situation. “That doesn’t mean young adults can’t cope. Rather, it means that now is a great time to hardwire new habits, such as slowing down and thinking things through.”
Grandmas Are The Best
Your Job Is To Help Others
People Helping People
Meg then goes on to share tips on how we can stop catastrophizing situations and develop healthier habits. Her first tip is to “stop time traveling”. Most of our fears include future events, perhaps months or years from now. But worrying about the future is not conducive to tackling the tasks we need to complete in the present moment. Next, Meg recommends to focus on whatever it is you’re scared of. “Catastrophizing is based on fear rather than on facts,” she explains. Recognizing the actual facts of a situation often helps us realize that we have little to fear at all.
We Need A Big Strong Woman To Take Care Of Us
Postgirl Pippa
F**k Cancer
Next, Meg recommends fearful individuals to play out their worst case scenario in their heads. Although it’s probably not the most likely outcome, imagine what would actually happen. Your life will probably still go on. After realizing the worst case, play out your best case scenario. Meg notes that the best and worst case scenarios are often “simply childlike fantasies” with reality falling “somewhere in between”. She explains that catastrophizing is a way of looking at issues as black and white, but what we need to do is see the grey. There is nuance to every situation, and it’s best to avoid fixating on the ends of the spectrum.
8 Year Old’s Rebellion
My Heart..
Gaming Friends Are Real Friends
Lastly, Meg notes that, “The real cure for catastrophizing is confidence, and confidence comes from experience.” While it may feel like we hear bad news everywhere we go, there is plenty of news worth celebrating as well. We just need to know where to look. Our instincts are there to protect us, but what would happen if we started challenging them and viewed our lives through a more optimistic lens? What’s the worst thing that could happen? Okay, now imagine what the best outcome would be. Reality is probably somewhere in the middle...
The World Needs More People Like This
Bet Its A Good One
You Deserve The Money!
That is one illegal smol bunny... BUT IT'S SOOOOOOOO CUUUUUUUTEEEEE!!!!!!!
After reading some of this list, I'm feeling more wholesome already. It has inspired me to bake some brownies and deliver them to my neighbors just for fun. We hope you're enjoying your daily dose of wholesome content as much as we are, and don't forget to upvote and comment on your favorite posts. Then let us know in the comments what wholesome situations you've recently found yourself in to keep the positive vibes flowing!
It's The Most They Got
Its sooo much!! Maybe you guys don't know the worth of cows in East Africa. Let me tell you, one cow can be sold between 350k-500k. Some even go beyond that depending on the size and age. Its also a sign of friendship. When someone gives you a cow you become a brother or sister to them. Now Imagine 14 cows, that's between 7 and 4.9 million.
Til
Anyone know which server it’s on/ how to access it? (Being serious here.) :)
Nice Job Pal
I always think that the only people who look for the names are them or their mums.
Wholesome Grandpa
"I note that some are warning schools against the computer game Fortnite, saying it engenders aggression and violence. I am a 74 year old who likes to play and keep in touch with his 9 year old grandson, who lives 200 miles away. In playing the game, I've come to interact with many of his friends, who are caring and friendly towards the grandpa among them. They never leave me to die, are quick to attend to me when injured and give patient advice. Their politeness, comradship, team spirit, humour and creative thinking would astound their parents, let alone their teachers. It is a priveledge to be counted among them. Believe me, this game has nothing to do with violence and everything to do with fun."
My Heart!!
Looks like they had some real chemistry together! (Look, someone was going to say it eventually, okay?).
How Proud This Racoon Is Of Their Art
The Earth Sandwich
🥳🎉🎊
Unorthodox Hater Strategy
Halloween Potato!
Can’t Imagine How This Happened
Awwwww
The Family That Brushes Teeth Together, Stays Together
We Need This Right Now
Bill Skarsgard Scaring Hader By Naturally Making His Eyes Go Sideways
This Little Girl's Rock Displayed In A Local Museum
I Felt Like This Belonged Here
So .... Perfect
Had Me In The First Half
Supporting Your Daughter No Matter What
An Emotional Rollercoaster From Start To Finish
Sharing This Giggle I Had Today
Tears Running From My Eyes
Not me, I can't wait to do it again! #reincarnation LOL
Load More Replies...They had to induce labor three weeks after my due date because I was perfectly comfortable where I was. I must admit, I cried about it for a long time.
3 weeks??? They let you go on for 3 more.weeks??!!? My God, you poor thing! I can't even imagine! My daughter was born on her due date and those.last couple of weeks felt like a year! Im in shock. 😶🤯
Load More Replies...I was almost 10lbs, 10 days late from my due date, and was born on the 10th day of the 10th month.
Yeah I was gonna say... like she actually planned to be only 5 pounds. That's kind of underweight actually.
Load More Replies...That’s So Cute
Future Self
Other old guy here. Never regret, anything you did looked like the right thing to do at that time.
Absolutelynotme_irl
Orangutan Thinks That This Man Has Fallen Into The River And Offers His Hand But He's Really Staff Who Removes Snakes From The River
A Rare Instance Of A False Karen
Awww I love when parents know that there child is messing up, takes full responsibility, and handles the situation like an adult instead of thinkin their precious offspring can do no wrong.
Something About This Just Makes Me Smile
Apologies If This Has Already Been Posted
That’s the best pigeon nest I’ve ever seen! Usually they just toss two twigs together and call it a job well done!
He Deserves Some Serious Celebration
People Will Always Remember How You Treated Them
This Was My Straight, Conservative, 60 Yr Old Grampa's Response About A Year Ago When I Came Out As Trans (Ftm)
And I completely forgot about it until today since it's his birthday. It was nice to see again since I didn't get a lot of support when I came out.
Beauty And The Beast
Two Online Best Friends That Played Gta Together Everynight Met Up To Have Lunch And Take A Few Pictures
This Guy Found A Message Written In A Bottle While Fishing
The bottom pic where they throw the bottle back with the rocks hidden underneath the waves is giving me anxiety but aside from that this is really wholesome
Hit Me In The Feels....
That's Right, Kid. Nobody
My Heart Is Melted
Awww
Did Not Expect This
Such A Great Thing To Do
Delighted To Share This Wonderful News!
Giving A Lift To Everyone This Year
Future Wife's Painting
Whether I'm 30, 50, Or 100, I Will Never Stop Playing Video Games. They Make Me Happy
A Lifetime Of Lessons Learned In A Few Hours Of Gaming
That's Dedication
Beware!
Always Works
When You Get Messaged Post Game
Gamer Girl : )
Your Move, Media!
When I play Elder Scrolls: Oblivion I sneak food and clothes into the beggars' food bags, and even some cups and plates so they can have a proper meal. It doesn't serve any purpose in the game and in fact nothing happens as a result, but I do it anyway just because I can.
This Just Warmed My Heart
Just Wow
We Gamers Have A Duty To Make Others Feel Welcome, In Times Like This
Actually those are very hard to make and fill a lot of hunger points so that will be super useful. That is a very nice gift.
Meirl
As A Trans Ftm, This Really Made My Day
Sometimes "I Love You Mum" Can Come Out In Unexpected Ways
True
Hey There, Fellow Redditors!
Respect Towards Janie
If You Give Sea Urchins Tiny Hats, They Will Wear Them
Do they normally do this in the wild, like with shells? Edit: okay, wow, yes they do. Nobody knows why
Wholesome Level 9000
Someone's Father:
Annoying People
i feel this on a daily basis as i get annoyed very easily
"I Personally Don't Like Gay People..." But There's A Plot Twist
I Just Thought This Should Be Here
How To Argue
A Silver Lining
At A Gas Station In Minnesota Or Canada
What A Feeling. Back In October My Wife And I Were Placed With A Sibling Group Of 3 Kids, Ages 5, 3, And 10months. After Feeling Overwhelmed And Wondering If We Were Doing The Right Thing, The Oldest Kids Teacher Sends Me This
I Like My Knife How I Like My Wife....
This Made Me Smile
Wholesome App
Got A Hero Necklace From My Employer For Working During Covid. Woke Up To This!
I Told My Internet Friend That I Had Trouble Sleeping Recently. So She Stayed Awake Till 4am For Me
Well This Just Makes For A Perfect Group Hug!
Full story: They were coworkers, and noticed that they were all wearing the same jacket.(same size, same brand, etc) What else would you do, other than zip them all together? That was not a joke; that is actually what happened.
Wife Sending A Message To Her Husband Through A Reddit Post
Public Nudist Turns His Life Around
Unexpectedly Wholesomeness In A Youtube Comments Section
Who Knew The Life Of An Ant In A Jar Would Captivate Both Boy And Cat?
That Caught Me Off Guard
Unexpectedly Wholesome Shower Talk
Spiders Get A Bad Rep
Sure, S*x Is Cool And All, But Has Your Math Tutor's 2 Yr Old Daughter Ever Randomly Approached You And Handed You A Flower While You Worked??
This Is The History Our Kids Will Learn About
Wholesome story: At a supermarket chain they often give you free stickers, depending on how much you buy. Obviously I don't collect them, but I take them anyway for the kids of coworkers. Another coworker does the same, so one day the little daughter of one colleague got a pretty big stack of stickers. Her father told us the next day that she asked him if he is REALLY sure he said thank you to us! And a few days later he came to work with a homemade cake his daughter insisted on making for us. The first cake she made was not pretty enough, so she baked a second, prettier one! Best cake of my life! 😄
Confession time: I'm 35f and love going to arcades and collecting as many tickets as possible for the prizes at the counter, BUT I always give those tickets to someone's child as well as any leftover tokens. The only exception was on my 31st birthday because I saw a little red sock monkey at the prize counter so I got the little red sock monkey and I still love it. 99.99% of the time, though, I just go to play games, then give the tickets/tokens to a child when I'm getting ready to leave.
This list actually made me cry. I haven't had a good cry in 5 weeks. Thanks, BP
Wholesome story: At a supermarket chain they often give you free stickers, depending on how much you buy. Obviously I don't collect them, but I take them anyway for the kids of coworkers. Another coworker does the same, so one day the little daughter of one colleague got a pretty big stack of stickers. Her father told us the next day that she asked him if he is REALLY sure he said thank you to us! And a few days later he came to work with a homemade cake his daughter insisted on making for us. The first cake she made was not pretty enough, so she baked a second, prettier one! Best cake of my life! 😄
Confession time: I'm 35f and love going to arcades and collecting as many tickets as possible for the prizes at the counter, BUT I always give those tickets to someone's child as well as any leftover tokens. The only exception was on my 31st birthday because I saw a little red sock monkey at the prize counter so I got the little red sock monkey and I still love it. 99.99% of the time, though, I just go to play games, then give the tickets/tokens to a child when I'm getting ready to leave.
This list actually made me cry. I haven't had a good cry in 5 weeks. Thanks, BP