The world is full of kind and caring people, as well as adorable pets, not just scary world events. But it’s something that we all need to consistently be reminded of because our brains tend to latch on to negativity more than positivity.
To that end, we’ve compiled a list of the most heartwarming memes you’ll ever find on the internet, as shared on the aptly named ‘Wholesome Memes’ Facebook group. Continue scrolling for a good dose of soul-healing content and cuddly animal pics that might just make you go ‘aww!’
Meanwhile, read on for Bored Panda’s interview with one of the administrators of the ‘Wholesome Memes’ group.
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Oh, that is *Precious*! And that picture will be treasured for a lifetime!
My favorite Danny Trejo story is that he’s been in so many movies, often just bit parts he films in a day, that he can’t remember them all. So he’ll be sitting on the sofa with his wife, watching a movie, and then realize, “Hey, I’m in this one!”
Load More Replies...Terry Crews, too! Love his little flute playing, purse carrying, advocating-for-sexual-harrassment-victims-of-all-genders self.
Terry Pratchett, who I met, is one of my top examples of how when men are wonderful they are truly wonderful.
Wow, that must have been a wonderful experience. I’m so sad that I didn’t get to meet Terry Pratchett at the Edinburgh book fair when I was younger. I would have loved to have met him and said how much his books mean to me. I’m actually reading the Hogfather now.
Load More Replies...I loved Steve Irwin growing up. I think he instilled a passion for nature and wildlife conservation in so many people. His son and daughter are both incredible and keeping his legacy alive.
Load More Replies...You missed David Attenborough! Calm and caring, a very good role model. People might not agree with me on this, but I think it is a matter of semantics. Masculinunity is not what it means
Bored Panda was curious about the inspiration behind the popular Facebook group, why so many memes feature animals, as well as how to craft the perfect viral meme.
One of the administrators ensuring that the entire group runs smoothly, Hamza Saeed, was kind enough to answer all of our questions.
According to Saeed, the ‘Wholesome Memes’ group was inspired by one simple goal: “To create a positive and uplifting space on social media.”
The admin told Bored Panda that the goal of the team was to “counter the negativity” that’s often found on the internet and social media.
They love their little cat friend! Not sure the cat feels the same...
Load More Replies...I'm always the cat. Even as a kid I never smiled, except sarcastically.
I ALWAYS stop at lemonade stands. Why? Because I make some kid's day. I've consumed some really Goddess-awful stuff, but knowing that I made a child feel better more than makes up for that.
We truly don't deserve good teachers, they are not compensated nearly well enough or treated respectfully enough.
No, to hell with “we”. The people who disrespect teachers and vote to underpay them are the same people who look down on young mothers and vote to give them as little support as possible. This story is one person in hardship supporting another person in hardship, and we do far more good for the world when we strive to be like him than when we say that the actions of the worst of humanity mean that no one deserves kindness like that.
Load More Replies...i read that as 'had' her baby and was wondering why the people in the background were just going about their business 😭
As a midwife, I often don’t appreciate the fact that other people, especially those that are older, don’t have much contact with babies unless they have them as close family. It’s heartwarming to see the pleasure they find in it.
They did this by fostering a community that focuses on feel-good and heartwarming content.
A very large number of the memes shared on the Facebook group involve animals and people’s pets. We were interested to get the administrator’s thoughts on why these sorts of memes do so well on social media.
Saeed explained to us that, in his opinion, animal memes resonate with so many people because they bring people joy and evoke universal emotions in many of us.
“Animals are relatable,” he said that this is how they connect with the audience. According to him, images of animals acting innocent are perfect for heartwarming memes and humor.
I don't believe there's a kitty that isn't gorgeous.
Load More Replies...We befriended a stray ( in my profile pic) feeding her for 2 months, then hurricane ida hit our area(PA) we didn’t see her for 2days, our hearts were broken and we feared the worst, my husband took it harder as he grew really closed to her, as I went out to the lil yard to start and clean up and take down her lil area, as I turned around she was sitting right there staring at me, called my husband out, with tears in his eyes, can you do anything/everything possible to bring her in sooner, about 2 weeks of her being inside I had a dream of a man telling me that “this is no ordinary cat”, then a week after that my husband got a dream of his closest cousin ( she was murdered due to domestic violence) she told him in the dream “ do you like the cat”, til this day we can’t explain where the cat came from, we see strays on our block here and there, then she just sat there across the street staring at the house ( she was also with another cat(same color) gray)she brings so much joy 🥹
I love your story! It was very sweet of your hubby's cousin to send him a kitty. ❤️
Load More Replies...Years ago I rescued a pregnant cat off the street. Unfortunately I don't have "before-and-after" photos of her. When I first saw her she was rather scruffy, because she was a long-hair, and thus I named her Ragamuffin.
Finally, Saeed shared his thoughts with us about what content creators can do to make their memes stand out from the crowd.
In the ‘Wholesome Memes’ administrator’s opinion, internet users ought to focus on two things: being authentic and original.
It’s through these genuine emotions that these silly and wholesome images can connect with us even stronger. If you can match up this sense of realness with a unique twist or perspective—even better!
Aside from that, Saeed urges content creators to keep up to date with current internet trends and take the time to engage with the community.
Being kind and helping others is something that human beings are hard-wired for. We rely on our social circles to survive and thrive. As such, our brains reward us when we do good deeds for other people.
This is a phenomenon that’s aptly called the “helper’s high.” Not only is it nice to be nice, but our brains reinforce this sort of behavior by firing up our pleasure centers.
I love these random animal friendships - they make it worth while waking up every morning. 💗💗💗
I love animal friendships. I’m so glad that Petey got adopted and still gets to see his pelican friend.
Otherwise… see I can say it and not mean it. That’s what working for 30 years has done for me lol
Load More Replies...Every single morning our son wakes up 5 before our alarm goes off and comes cuddling. It looks exactly like this
Show me the person who says this isn't normal and I'll give 'em a pop on the nose!
So they can knock it off onto the ground!?!?!?
Load More Replies...Yeah, they would be a total monster to separate the two.
Load More Replies...Me with my one and only child, i dont plan on having anymore bc 1.) he is perfect and I love him so 2.) I have no desire to have any others 3.) bc I was hospitalized for 4 months of pregnancy bc apparently I wasn't built for that šhît
4 months? I'm so sorry. I loved being an only child! Best wishes dear.
Load More Replies...My first cat did this also. One biiig kitten. My mummy cat was only 2lbs due to being neglected as a kitten herself. She was too ill to get spayed at the rescue centre and was then an indoor only cat except the little hussy escaped for.one wild night. Her son turned out to be 8lbs fully grown.
Our Guinea Pig did this too. We didn't even know it was pregnant (must have been pregnant when we bought it) then one day we open the cage and had a bonus Guinea Pig!
Load More Replies...Aside from boosting our moods, kindness is also what deepens our relationships and connections with other folks. This happens on a biochemical level (with the release of oxytocin, the so-called love hormone), as well as a social one. We’re more likely to reciprocate with kindness and do good deeds in our social circles when someone’s helped us out.
But it’s not just others that we have to remember to take care of. We also need to carve out the time and put in the effort to be kind to ourselves.
It’s difficult to save the world (or at least your local neighborhood) if you’re constantly exhausted, extremely self-critical, burned out beyond belief, and chronically anxious. Self-care is a priority, no matter how big of an altruist you are.
Can someone get me a bucket for Laura? Get one for me too thanks...
Load More Replies...My husband and I had a secret stash of M&Ms for movie watching after kids were asleep. One day when I was ill, my boy with the sweetest heart came to me and said, "Momma, I know you really like tea when you don't feel good but I tried to go make you some tea but there was only M&Ms in there"! Darn, sweetest thing one of my kids could ever do, but now when need to find a new hiding place for the M&Ms!
How else is it supposed to travel? Hitchhike? He's got no thumbs! Poor doggo.
In this day and age, this is a silly question. And lucky it’s a dog and not an alligator, pony, etc.
Looks like my doggo Freddie. He was 1/2 hound & 1/2 rotti. We lost him to cancer 4 years ago.
Oftentimes, our very worst enemies are ourselves. As CNN notes, our brains have developed in such a way that they focus more on negative experiences than positive ones.
This used to help our ancestors survive because they’d hone in on potential threats. However, in this day and age, the sources of stress have changed for many people. Instead of worrying about potentially dangerous animals, we’re anxious about work, which can lead to a lot of baseless self-criticism if it gets out of hand. Luckily, this habit is something you can change, with practice.
Dr. Catherine Franssen, a psychology expert at Longwood University in Virginia, explained to CNN that it takes roughly 2 months to “train your brain” to let go of the habit of negative self-talk. Meditation can help with this. As can going for a walk outside in nature and cognitive behavioral therapy, if your self-criticism is impacting your daily life very much.
I dunno, I feel like he might be one of those bosses who'll phone at 3am for no good reason.
Load More Replies...Oh my god. That is the tiniest kitten I have ever seen. Makes me wonder how tiny their meows will be ❤️
8.00-9.00 yawns and stretching. 9.00 - 10.00 naps. 10.00-12.00 more naps. 12.00 - 15.00 Lunch. 15.00-17.00 paperwork (naps optional)
Can I join your team? Any openings in your office - I want to work the the new manager too!!!
Same here! I would be more than happy to carry that dear sweet kitty manager around!
Load More Replies...Manager Tinypaws first order of duty for the workday- more catnaps and less work.
Even when I was young and eager to party I would eventually get sick and tired of sloppy drunk humans and end up with the host’s pets anyway. I don’t drink a lot, partly because of how sick I get nd partly because I don’t like feeling that out of control. Plus, I usually drove myself there, and didn’t want to risk getting pulled over. So I would switch to soda early on and just socialize with the non-human animals.
Load More Replies...He looks so peaceful, like, his life is complete, at the ripe old age of 2
Every. Single. Time. But with my cats. "Why are you down here? It's to give us attention, right? That'd be the only reason. Wait, why are you moving - that's not allowed! Stop that!"
I am weird, with me it is the other way around, when my cat lies on the floor, I seize the moment to lie there with her. (She usually sits in the windowsill or on the stairs or outside in my garden perched on something.)
Load More Replies...‘Wholesome Memes,’ managed by ‘RealVoices’ and a couple of other individuals, is a project that was created in the middle of the summer of 2021. In the 2+ years since its inception, the group has amassed over 96k loyal followers
It’s not hard to see why the community is so popular. Its members are active and share some truly wholesome memes, as befits a group named the way that it is. If you ever need to restore (some of) your faith in humanity, these memes can remind you that far from everything is as bad as it seems.
The void has become a table… where is our sense of honor and respect for our overlords?
Love this. Whenever I go to photo-deposit a check I get an alert that says 'use darker background' So that works!
What’s really sweet is this possum is probably trying to look big and scary.
If Positive Possum says so, then I have to believe I can do the thing.
Why is it Australian possums are adorable and American possums are, well, ugly. On the other paw, American possums are cool in that they can NOT get rabies and eat ticks!
Australia needed something to balance out all their animals that will kill you.
Load More Replies...Its impossumble not to get happier just looking at positive possum
I wish American possums were that cute. I mean, they're cute-ish in a that pointy nosed rodent thing with a huge rat-style tail. Try can be sweet if they have to be raised by people. And they eat a lot of pests. I've heard Terry live Japanese beetles, so they are on my good side necause they are the bane of my gardens existence
I feel you. I have two cats, one tux and one void. I have two dogs - a GSD mix and a Belgian Malinois - both are cream/tan. There are no clothes I own, dark or light, that do not have the opposite color of pet’s hair/fur on it XD
Load More Replies...I have an all white long haired dog and everything I own is black... or, at least, it was black...
My two cats are a tuxedo and a black cat - and my two dogs are cream/tan - how do I match them all? XD Because ALL their fur is gonna get on me XD
Load More Replies...Even in the toughest of times, or rather especially when things get tough, you can see the best (and worst) of humanity. On top of that, even the smallest gestures of kindness can have a big impact. Some of the memes shared by members of the community tap into these ideas.
Meanwhile, other images that get shared on ‘Wholesome Memes’ focus on showing how cute and adorable our animal friends can be! There’s a bit of everything for everyone.
CLAWS! Mine would have held my finger with its claws if I had tried to escape. Still missing this special pain 🥲
Awww 🥰. Whenever I feel sad or blue I love holding onto my chunky cat’s little paws 🐾
Unless its a chihuahua... those things are VISCOUS! (Edit: I now know I misspelled vicious, however I'm keeping the current spelling because it's funny lol)
I assume you don’t mean chihuahuas have a thick and sticky consistency between a solid and a liquid, those would be cats. *Vicious*
Load More Replies...I hug my cat. Yes, it can be done without losing an eye or limb. 😸
I have two! Take your pick - or hug both!! stilgar_an...e67872.jpg
Actually, this is a major reason some therapists recommend pets to patients who don't have a good support system. If you are feeling sad, in the absence of a partner or family to support you, hugging a pet can distract you from using a selfdestructive means of self-soothing.
During every Zoom medication appointment that I have with my NP, she asks about my dog and has to see him. She'll tell him how much she loves him and for him to make me take him outside more!
Load More Replies...Im not a dog person, i hate their smell and fur/hair, or when they are drooling... But when mom died i was devestated, i never experienced this kind of pain. I was at my friends place a couple days later, her dog usually stays away from me, but that day she couldnt stop comforting me, this chihuahua forced her love on me by sitting on my lap and press her little self against me. I'll appreciate this forever
When practicing, I did not have a dog, however when I moved my practice to my home, my twenty pound chubby kitty sat on many a lap. Sometimes I wondered if clients came for my wisdom(?) or kitty's comfort.
Every larger public Facebook group has rules that all members have to abide by. And ‘Wholesome Memes’ is no different. If there were no guidelines or consequences, then anybody could post or write anything they wanted and chaos would reign.
Having at least some rules keeps everyone focused on a single message (in this case, wholesome, heartwarming, and adorable memes!) and ensures that the community members can have a good time.
Stfu you are and don't let anyone else tell you you're not.
Load More Replies...Yes they do, but they are not racists, so they don't mind.
Load More Replies...He's so adorable... he may be even yelling at you with that look on his face for leaning the AirB&B heat on longer than negotiated but who cares because he's so f*****g cute
That’s a lady cat ;) calicoes and torties definitely can be spicy and talkative kitties!
Load More Replies...I had a patient who said his kids just couldn't stay overnight at his place anymore because his cat was the most incredibly annoying cat they had ever been around. He apologized but couldn't understand why they were like that towards his cat, he'd had the kitty for years and his cat was a loving and loyal kitty. Well, one day the time came when his doctor told him for his health and safety it was time to break down his pride and admit he would benefit from hearing aids. The day he finally received his final fit and had the computerized hearing aids tuned to his specific hearing needs, he arrived home, of course, greeted by his loving cat. Less than an hour later, he called his children and apologized for all the stress and drama that had gone on for years. He apologized for not believing them, because now that he could actually HEAR his cat, he admitted his cat WAS annoying, in the hour he had been home the cat never stopped meowing. He had just NEVER been able to HEAR THE CAT!!
My aunt's cat never shut up. She was hyperthyroid. She was asking for help.
Load More Replies...The team managing the group asks everyone to be kind, polite, positive, and respectful of one another. “If you don’t have anything positive to say, keep your fingers off the keyboard,” they say, adding that everyone should avoid creating “unnecessary drama.” A dash of drama is nearly unavoidable in any bigger community (there’s always friction between people), but the important thing is that the admins have things under control.
On top of being a decent human being, the ‘Wholesome memes’ community wants its members to avoid spamming the group with ads, misinformation, and posts about fundraising. The group also takes people’s privacy very seriously. They prohibit Facebook users from directly messaging each other, unless they’ve gotten their consent first. What’s more, the team asks everyone not to message the admins unless there’s a very serious problem, e.g. like being harassed.
And the glove compartment, and under the driver seat, one on the dashboard, one on rear window ledge, and a full case in the trunk for backup.
Load More Replies...Has the dog's snout been rubbed the fur off because of too much booping?
When I married in 1994, I was very determined: never a dog! We have had dogs since 1994. My wife wanted to go see some puppets a relative to her had. And that was that. I was hooked for life.
Like when my husband before we went to a cat show, said: "Repeat after me, we don't need any more cats". And came home with business cards from 4 breeders.
Load More Replies...My husband thought he was a cat person....until we got our dog. They have such a special bond. She climbs up on his lap at night & likes to cuddle...as much as you can cuddle a 55lb dog!
When I was a kid my friend's rottweiler became pregnant. I begged my dad for months to let me have one, he refused because of the breed. I finally wore him down but he was not happy about it. They became best friends and to this day the only time I've seen my dad cry was when that dog died.
We got my dachshund 2 little sets of stairs at either end of the couch so he can get up there.
May I share a memory? I have the best picture of my late mother asleep on the couch. 2 cats and a guinea pig on the back of the couch, looking out the window, a Chihuahua and another guinea pig on her lap, a 20 lb bunny under her hand on the floor, and a baby pygmy goat right beside. All rescues and all so happy 😊.
People who don’t let their dogs on the furniture are missing out on so much love. You can always put a blanket on end of the sofa and train them that’s their spot. Don’t lose out on a lifetime of cuddling, and on your dog feeling loved and included!
Trying to keep an animal, especially a cuddly and affectionate one, off the furniture is an endless battle you really cannot win. Just resign yourself to all the extra vacuuming, and invest in a Chom Chom for furniture de-furring. TBH, it’s a small price—-a pittance—-to pay for all that abundant and unconditional love your pet gives you.
We have 3 cats & a Pitmation (Dalmatian/Pitty mixed breed) dog. The dog wouldn't stay off the couch, and sheds like crazy. The Chom Chom is awesome! We also put her bed on the couch since we were fighting a losing battle (and she might be a little spoiled!)
Load More Replies...My husband and I have been reduced to begging the dog to lay on the couch with us! (She usually likes to lay on her chair, so she can watch everything that goes on).
It is SO insulting when you pick an animal up to sit with you and they LEAVE. The absolute nerve.
Load More Replies...I say "isn't that why it's called FURniture?". My cat loves to sit on the couch.
Which of these memes made you smile the most, dear Pandas? Which ones did you send your friends to boost their mood? We’d love to hear what you think, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this article. In the meantime, for some more adorably wholesome memes, check out Bored Panda’s previous article.
They're roosters. They have the red bits on the top of their head.
Load More Replies...I love chickens!! They have the best personalities and definitely understand and express love if you just look for it. My chickens (I no longer have chickens due to my declining health and mobility after my husband passed away) used to follow us around until we’d pick them up and they would hug our neck and often fall asleep in our arms.
I love chickens too! I had this one who would jump on our shoulder and just chill there. We had a lil silkie who would perch on my feet when cleaning the coop! Chickens are adorable.
Load More Replies...Unless you're hatched at a commercial farm like Tyson's. There you would never see the sun, and never see your friend.
Kiss the head, boop the snoot, floof the belleh, and press the beans, in that order.
don't forget "apply the bandages" after "Floof the belleh"
Load More Replies...I miss my little guy. I used to pick him up and say, “Can I have a kiss?” And then he would headbutt my face and purr like a rumbling volcano. 🥲
I hate it when i get my cat back from the vet and she has the scent of several vet techs on her (lotion?). It takes days to wear off.
I just finished my hot tea, but i forgot to bring my water, and i can't get up and get it myself, because i have feline paralysis syndrome.
I fear that soon an article will appear here on Bored Panda on how to prevent your dog from sitting on your head.
I got entire, full-sized bags of candy from my dad's mom for Easter. I didn't have her long - she died when I was 9 - but she was the best!
I’m so sorry for the lost. She’s in a beautiful place now. I’m sure she was happy spoiling you like that!
Load More Replies...yup, my grandmom did that and now my mum does the same to her grandchildren
My yaya fat shames me. We both can ignore them together!
Load More Replies...My grandma has a stock full of lollies and snacks in the coffee table drawers. Man, I miss her. (she hasn't passed away luckily, I just haven't visited her in years since she lives overseas)
Now, that is a marketing skill. . .! Bet it sells before closing today!!!
Feel good article/pics. More of this please. Have a good day everyone and if you're struggling with your mental health just ask yourself one question, "what do I need right now?" It may be that you just need a glass of water or something simple but it's starts with you. You can not pour from an empty cup. Be kind to yourselves 🥰
I love how the title is about restoring faith in HUMANITY but like 95% of the posts are about adorable animals. This could mean 1 of 2 things. 1. There is no more faith for humanity 2. Adorable animals are the key to being better. Maybe the solution is both of them!
I had a really rough month due to burnout from work, but this post put an instant smile on my face. This is the type of content that BoredPanda used to be known for. More of these sweet listicles, please. 😃
It was a really rough month,I agree. Here's to putting that behind us and and having a much smoother new year!
Load More Replies...Feel good article/pics. More of this please. Have a good day everyone and if you're struggling with your mental health just ask yourself one question, "what do I need right now?" It may be that you just need a glass of water or something simple but it's starts with you. You can not pour from an empty cup. Be kind to yourselves 🥰
I love how the title is about restoring faith in HUMANITY but like 95% of the posts are about adorable animals. This could mean 1 of 2 things. 1. There is no more faith for humanity 2. Adorable animals are the key to being better. Maybe the solution is both of them!
I had a really rough month due to burnout from work, but this post put an instant smile on my face. This is the type of content that BoredPanda used to be known for. More of these sweet listicles, please. 😃
It was a really rough month,I agree. Here's to putting that behind us and and having a much smoother new year!
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