If The World Feels Like A Terrible Place, Here Are 50 Of The Most Wholesome Things People Shared Online To Make Each Other’s Day
The idea behind feel-good stories is that it's important to counteract the negativity of bad news.
Of course, there will always be skeptics who say maintaining optimism in the long run is impossible and that every attempt to prove otherwise is just a form of escapism, but every now and then something happens that puts a smile on your face and makes you believe that we're all going to be OK.
So we at Bored Panda put together a new collection of such moments to remind you that there's still good in this world. Whether it's someone beating an illness or caring for an animal in need, we people are strong and have an endless capacity to love, and we can't forget that.
Continue scrolling to check out the list and if you need more positivity, fire up our earlier publications of the series here, here, and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
This Is The Way
The Breathtaking Bravery Of Russian Citizens Who Know They’ll Be Arrested For Protesting The War And Do It Anyway
Good for them! I hope that Putin finally realises his madness and puts a stop to this terror.
Sometimes, the impulse to consume negative news can be difficult to resist. "We are evolutionarily wired to screen for and anticipate danger, which is why keeping our fingers on the pulse of bad news may trick us into feeling more prepared," says Cecille Ahrens, clinical director of Transcend Therapy in San Diego, California.
Following the news may be necessary to stay informed, especially during a crisis but according to Ahrens, the feelings of fear, sadness, and anger triggered by negative headlines can keep people stuck in a "pattern of frequent monitoring," leading to worse mood and more anxious scrolling (doomscrolling).
One Year Ago They Gave Me A 30% Chance Of Survival. Today I'm Still Standing Through My Last Day Of Chemo
My Son Is Autistic And Loves Cats, So For The Past 4 Years He Has Volunteered To Socialize The Cats And Kittens At Our Local Animal Shelter To Help Get Them Adopted
I Made My Own Wedding Dress. I Feel Just Okay About It, But I Thought I'd Share Anyway
Ddoomscrolling can take a toll on mental health. Studies have linked the consumption of bad news to increased distress, anxiety, and depression, even when the news in question is relatively mundane.
Graham Davey, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Sussex, says exposure to bad news can make personal worries seem worse and even cause acute stress reactions and some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder that can be quite long-lasting.
I Don’t Usually Like To Smile For Photos, But This Month Is The One Year Anniversary Since My Overdose And The 6 Month Anniversary Of Being Sober
I figured I deserve a smile.
I Can Finally Stand With No Hands
A Ukrainian Man With Down Syndrome Bakes Bread To Feed Ukrainian Soldiers Fighting The War
That's Amazing
The root of our interest in bad news may be the result of feeling vulnerable or helpless or overwhelmed.
"Let's say you are feeling stressed out at work and you disengage from your tasks to pick up your phone and doomscroll. Once you catch that compulsive behavior, check in with yourself and ask what it is you are thinking and feeling,” says Megan E. Johnson, a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in trauma and brain-behavior relationships.
"Once you understand your need, then you can find a realistic and appropriate way to get that need met, rather than compulsively turning to doomscrolling."
Hikmet Kaya, An Engineer From Turkey, Standing In Front Of A Land Which He Afforested For 41 Years
I Volunteer At The Humane Society And Fell In Love With This Girl. I Cried When I Found Out She Had Been Adopted. Two Weeks Later And She Was Returned For Being “Too Lazy”
Took her straight home to her new couch where she is the cutest potato. Don’t know her name yet but just look at that face.
This Dad Has One Great Son
This Man Spoke With Every Parent In Uvalde, Texas To Build Personalized Caskets For All 19 Children Who Were Shot. His Name Is Trey Ganem
Trey Ganem should not have to customise coffins in the first place. :(
Turning to your phone might just distance you from the colleagues and friends and family who could help.
"All it will do is temporarily distract you from your uncomfortable emotion," Johnson adds. "But those unpleasant feelings are there for a reason, and they communicate to us our needs, so we cannot just silence them with distractions. Once you become aware that what you actually need is support, then maybe you can reach out to a colleague and delegate some tasks.”
An Incredible Turnaround
She should. Helping the people going through what she did 5 yrs ago
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I love this full circle story. Having struggled with mental illness, addiction and incarceration for 20 years, I now have 6 years clean and sober and work in a trauma unformed residential program for previously incarcerated women. I understand the heart bursting joy of that second picture; when I think of how my life has turned out, I'm full of gratitude. I don't mean for my story to detract from yours. Only to say that I empathize and am so proud of you.
How wonderful that you were able to transform your pain into becoming a helper! So proud of you! (7 years sober, Clinical Mental Health Counselor specializing in addiction treatment.)
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BPD has been so stigmatized by trashy, brainless true crime shows that it’s making people who suffer from it feel even worse. That stigma is probably killing people.
I think it also because of the lack of proper training for hospital staff. If you know how to react in certain situations you are more capable to help without being swept away by the intens emotions and be more understanding.
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No better therapist than one who has experienced BPD themselves. Empathy is one thing, speaking from experience is a whole different level when it comes to making a patient feel heard and seen
Nothing better than a health care professional who actually understands.
Thank you for this . I am traumatized by the mental health system . I got picked up for mania (bpd, bipolar1 and adhd) I spent 2 nights in the ER waiting for a bed in the psych ward . They drove me 2 hours out in hand cuffs to a place I wasn't familiar with . Got there got stripped of everything I was a tad irritated because I wasn't sure where I was so instead of explaining they gave me a shot of Haldol and whatever they mix it with. I had court the next morning. I was to drugged up to defend myself . So I sat while they said things that weren't all true because I couldn't lift my head. It would be nice to have people in the field who understand or have experienced some of these things .fielunderstands 1st hand .
BPD = Borderline Personality Disorder. I was guessing it mean Bi-Polar Disorder, so I Googled it.
As someone with BPD who us struggling every single day to get better, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!! I don't tell people I meet irl that I have BPD because of the incredibly negative stigmas attached to it. I am not a narcissist! I am not heartless! Neither are lots of people with BPD! There are always exceptions and comorbidity with other disorders (including narcissism), but our society needs to recognize how difficult it is to live with a mental disorder that makes you feels every emotion to such an extreme. It's so goddamn stressful.
I think a lot of us can’t truly understand the depth of your suffering. When I see a patient in the hospital with BPD they are in a very challenging/ stressful environment which makes a mental disorder more hard to handle. People with BPD have the gift or the curse (depends how you interpret it) to make others feel their intense emotions ( joy, pain, frustration). It scares people and makes them feel invaded in their personal space. The worst conclusion they/ we can draw, is that the person in front of us is a narcissist. Sadly I never met someone with BPD without a history of some form of abuse.
Load More Replies... As a person with BPD2, thank you for deciding to live. We need people like you not giving up on us.
BPD has been with me since I was a child (now 36) and with all the horros it brought, hardly anything made me feel more worthless and like unloveable disgusting trash than my current mental health care professional clearly being judgemental and annoyed with me... or thats my perception. its always hard to tell.
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You will know what so many of your patients are going through. I was a terrible, moody student who decided to become a teacher. When I went back to my high school to practice teach those teachers who remembered me said "YOU!" 45 years later I recall my school days and give every student a break or three when possible.
I also struggled with BPD, trauma and depression and decided to make the best out of it. Now I'm a social worker and do my best to give hope and help for other people with mental health issues.
I've been involved with a lot of mental health practitioners over the years and the best ones are nearly always those who have had MH issue themselves because they really know what they're talking about.
My 20-year old niece, who was diagnosed BPD, took her life in May. I am so proud of you and the way you turned that around. People need you and thank you for being out there.
I'm so so so so proud of you for getting through such a hard time. Honestly this is heartwarming that you have gone on to help others like yourself. Sending lots of love for your journey and I'm so happy you are still with us. You were born to help others.
Helping others is always healing for the healer as well. You look absolutely radiant.
Jessica, I'm sending you love and best wishes, and if you ever feel that low again DM me on fb and talk to me, but you won't need to, all the best x
Perhaps your past was necessary for you to become who you were meant to be
Thank you, from one nurse to another! You will do amazing and YOU GOT THIS!!!
Congratulations! You will have the empathy, not you will have, you do have. It will be sad but also rewarding.
Bless you! I'm a retired RN and honestly, that is one area I just couldn't. I'm so glad there are nurses like you!
suicide isn't the answer, we never know what the rest of our life might turn out to be. Our challenges are lessons for us to learn, to evolve.
We're all so proud of you! You are truly beautiful and you will do great things!
My psychologist also deals with anxiety and depression like me, and he's the best ally I've had in my own struggles.
You had to climb a long, steep road. But you got to the top and now you can show the way to others still in darkness. You will be a beacon of hope for them, a shining light. Not every day, but enough. Yes I believe you can do this.
I'm amazed by how quickly you were able to turn your life around, though I'm guessing it didn't feel like that (as someone who struggles with mental health issues). Your experiences and inner strength are going to be very helpful for you as you work to make a positive difference in people's lives. But, as you know, dealing with other people's pain day in, day out can be very difficult to handle for anyone, so like anyone-else working in this space, be careful to look after your your wellbeing and happiness. And congrats again. Your courage and care for others is beautiful.
You have so much to give because you understand where people are coming from!
Mental health is also very important, just like the other field on health care. As a paramedic I cheer you. Congrats and keep the good hearth
Love the turn around, inspiration to grab opportunities with both hands ❤️
Congratulations! You will be one of the best to help others out. So happy for you 💓
I had to look up BPD. I do know about Borderline Personality Disorder. I hope this happy picture of you truly reflects inner peace and happiness. Nursing can be emotionally taxing. Please look after your inner self so you can still have this inner glow in 10 years.
The First Portrait I Ever Did Back In 2011 vs. The Most Recent Portrait From 2021, It's Been A Long Journey
12-Year-Old Kid Is Adopted By The Family Of His Best Friend
We don’t know which is sweeter: Andrew and Joc’s love of KelloggsUS PopTarts, or the bond these two share! We are thrilled that Andrew has found his forever family with his best friend and new brother, Joc, and the Gill family
I’m A Father! My Wife Didn’t Want Me To Share Any Pictures With Family Yet But I Can’t Hold It In. He Is Perfect And Since None Of You Are Family, I’m Just Hoping I Can Spread My Joy
"We believe that if we have all the facts, we can make better decisions and protect ourselves from danger," Johnson says.
"This illusion of control and safety is a fallacy, though. There is a never-ending supply of information to consume, so we never feel like we have all the information—because we don't, and we can't."
My 9-Year-Old Found This Rock A Month Ago And It Became His “Lucky” Rock. He Takes It Everywhere. Today I Have An Important Job Interview And I Found His Rock On My Seat
This Goose At My Hospital Laid Eggs And Is Nesting In A Large Planter, One Of Our Maintenance Guys Built This Umbrella For Her And Set Her Up With Nearby Water
During The Memorial Day Siren, An Holocaust Survivor Is Being Honored By Her Granddaughter
Dam onion ninjas. The granddaughter looks so happy to salute her grandmother.
Awww
Given that avoidance might not be practical, experts suggest these three ways to make your experience on the internet more positive:
- Be mindful of what you consume on social media. If you log on to connect with other people, focus on the personal news and photos shared instead of the latest headlines;
- Seek out the content that makes you happy to balance out your newsfeed. This may be images of cute kittens, beautiful landscapes, drool-worthy food videos, or something else. You could even follow a social media account dedicated to sharing only happy and positive news;
- Use social media to promote positivity and kindness. Sharing good things that are happening in your life can improve your mood, and your positive mood can spread to others. You may also like to compliment others on social media. While this might sound awkward, people will appreciate it more than you think.
6 Months Ago, Our Psycho Neighbor Trapped Our Cat And Released Him 12 Miles Away. Today, We Found Him! Welcome Home, Iggy
I hope you also paid a friendly visit to the neighbour with a baseball bat in hand.
After 170 Hours I Finally Finished My Drawing
A Round Of Applause To This Lady
You might also want to consider doing something nourishing for yourself – such as being outdoors in nature or making your favorite meal. This might help shift your mind from troubling news and create a more positive and resilient mindset that can better deal with worries.
At the end of the day, we have to accept that some things are just out of our control and focus on the ones that we can, in fact, change.
An 80-Year-Old Who Showed Up To Join The Ukrainian Army, Carrying With Him A Small Case With 2 T-Shirts, A Pair Of Extra Pants, A Toothbrush And A Few Sandwiches For Lunch
He said he was doing it for his grandkids.
Had Me At The First Part For Sure
My 18-Year-Old Donating Stem Cells Today To A Stranger With Blood Cancer. Proud Is An Understatement
Ukrainian Soldier And A Rescued Dog
My Radiotherapy Treatments Worked! Most Tumors Has Reduced In Size And Are Less Painful
Our Neighbor From India Asked If We Have A Sauté Pan For Him To Lend. We Had And This Is How He Returned It
I Cleaned My Depression Room
My Son Got His First Pair Of Glasses
Found Out Today My Great-Uncle (Right) Is Dog Walking Buddies With Stephen King
Members Of The Un Council Walked Out On The Speech Of Russia's Minister Of Foreign Affairs
A Pic I Took Of My Husband With All The Books He Wrote
Ooh, I read two I think. Sci-fi is not my favourite genre, but these were really neat! 100% recommended to any space and sci-fi lover.
Shout Out To The Parents For Being Wholesome And Inclusive
I Think I Found My Favorite Photography Genre
My Father, 67. Finally A Us Citizen After 17 Years Of Processes And Paperwork
Seeing My Husband The Day After Donating 68% Of My Liver To Him
Facts: Livers can regenerate, and you can donate a portion to someone else and still have enough to survive with, and the rest will regrow in time. Amazing thing she did for her husband. :)
Look At This Guys
This Restaurant Not Only Welcomes Dogs, It Offers Dog Portions For Cheap
Blessed Family
My Wife Receiving An Anonymous Donor's Bone Marrow That Can Potentially Save Her Life
Just Landed My Dream Job... To Teach People About Dinosaurs And Prehistoric Animals At A Natural History Museum
For My 18th Birthday I Got A Tattoo Of My Dad's Laugh On My Arm, He Passed 3 Years Ago. I Have His Smile And Joy Wherever I Go Now
I’m Opening A Brewery/Taproom And Modified The Men/Women Restrooms To All Gender
Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Bottom Right)
This Is Somehow Super Cute
Note: this post originally had 121 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
What are the chances? Hay fever kicking in when I am cutting onions. I'm not crying, you're crying!
Here's hoping humanity gets our shite together and lives up to the examples within this article/post.
not much hope for us as a species but one on one there are a lot of kind people :)
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What are the chances? Hay fever kicking in when I am cutting onions. I'm not crying, you're crying!
Here's hoping humanity gets our shite together and lives up to the examples within this article/post.
not much hope for us as a species but one on one there are a lot of kind people :)
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