As much as we love the internet for giving us an endless supply of knowledge and inspiration, it can sometimes be a pretty grim place. Every time we go online, we seem to face an onslaught of alarming headlines, rude comments, and heated controversial debates. If you can relate, then you're in great need of some positivity to show you that it’s not all bad.
Fortunately, today’s post is all about balancing out the scales by injecting some wholesomeness into our lives. Enter the 'Now That's The Stuff' Instagram account, full of the most soul-soothing and cheerful stories people share online in hopes of lifting others’ spirits. From hilarious coincidences to the most heartwarming acts of kindness, their posts remind us how selfless, thoughtful, and generous people can be.
With 173K followers and counting, this page serves as a breath of fresh air for anyone who might be feeling a bit down. So get ready to be showered in positivity because we at Bored Panda have collected some of the best posts from the page. Continue scrolling and upvote the ones you enjoyed most!
This post may include affiliate links.
If you feel a slight concern for humanity right now, you might find comfort in knowing you’re definitely not the only one. News that we see on screens and in the media tends to focus on more negative occurrences. Unfortunately, such information can affect how we feel, and we all know how hard it may be to disperse those dark clouds that start looming over our heads.
Moreover, being bombarded with the worst scenarios every day eventually leads to getting tired of it, and that could be a sign it's time to take a short break or try to balance everything out with some positive content. We’re lucky to have cheerful outlets like the 'Now That's The Stuff' Instagram account that provides us with a quick distraction from the bleak headlines and adds a dash of happiness in challenging times.
Reading about wholesome encounters and incidents can make us feel slightly better about our world and remind us there are plenty of wonderful things that should be celebrated and applauded by as many people as possible. After all, creating joy is a major part of moving past the fear and anxiety we might be feeling today and may help us fight the uncertainty over the future.
Yeah those damm onion ghosts forcing out our weakness
Load More Replies...
Amazing, also should be noted (I live on Lake Superior) that water is cold...all year round. For him to be up to his neck near the evening...a true human right there.
True man right there. This brought tears to my eyes and memories of my late baby boy.
No, not crying at how beautiful this is. The screen just got damp for some reason.
My pillow is a little wet, gotta fix that damn leak coming from the ceiling...
Load More Replies...
I remember this guy. As I recall he received a lot of monetary donations for his dog Schoep, that prolonged his life.
Yes, I remember this photo, and the look of love and peace on faces... this photo inspired me to volunteer to provide end of life care for my rescue group...this is true love.
Load More Replies...
I always say that dogs are too cool for people. This one proves me wrong.
Gosh, can vets prescribe some good painkillers for our pets for their final days?
Yes, vets can put an animal down in a few seconds without pain. My vet does this for free for his customers
Load More Replies...
Thanks eyes! This is what I needed to do; tear up while reading small print.
That was why it helped. Cold can temporarily relieve joint inflammation.
Load More Replies...
I wish I could do this for Ironbark -- Big German shepherds with a bad back :-(
Wonderful man, and Schoep was a very much loved dog. John now has a rather handsome black Labrador.
My little mixed pup, Angus, has a misshapen bones. He comes to me for help in getting onto the bed. We can communicate just by a look. I adore the little guy.
I remembered when this went viral. There was a few videos of this pair in water. Doggo really looks happy.
I can imagine a conversation in heaven probably going like this: Dog: I’m happy you healed my bones, thank You. God: You miss him? Dog: Yes, but I’m not worried. He’s in Your hands. God: Well, the door is always open if he wants in.
All dogs go to heaven. Most people, however, will never have to worry about being cold again once they pass. This guy? Free pass to hang with Jesus & all.
Load More Replies...
Never fails to bring a lump to my throat, I would do the same in a heartbeat.
This makes me sad. They are saying the dog was in so much pain that this was a way to aliviate the pain, knowing the dog had a few weeks to live??? Why make it suffer so? Putting her to sleep would have been the most selfless gift he could have given her. I just don't understand how people can allow their animals to suffer. Letting your pet suffer is not 'loving ' them. (I know I'll get down voted for this)
Wonderful souls who will see each other again one day. Crying now, can't type
Of course this is fantastic, however, if possible, would warm water be more soothing, for the pain, or, the procedure with needles, unable to spell it, or cold lazer ? whatever. Just thinking of pain in cold water, you must have a reason. !!!
Sorry, but I believe it would have been kinder to put him to sleep. Fortunately we have the option for our animals....which the same will come eventually for us humans. So many times we keep animals we love alive for us, which isn't fair to the animals which are in pain. Once a friend said to me that it is better to let them go one day too early than one day too late.
While there's a possibility you were just trying to pass a wisecrack, it's not the time or place for it, ESPECIALLY if you're just trying to be bitter altogether. Whether you truly feel like that, or were just trying to be funny, the comment wasn't called for as it not only ruined the mood but showed disrespect as well. This post touched my heart. Me and everyone else here. I didn't downvote your comment. But I definitely don't like it, or agree with it. It's sad the dog even had to die altogether... 😔
Load More Replies...
Now that is the kind of leader you want running your country! Bravo Sir!
Got to love people that do things like this. When my mother first battled cancer we had an issue with the boiler, the local plumber knew my mother since he was a boy. After the second call out he took 13yo me with him to teach me how to do the relatively easy and safe fix for the issue to save us having to get him out to do it (not that he charged anyhow but we would be without heating until he could come round).
While uplifting stories make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, they inspire us to do good as well. When we look at examples of how people lend a helping hand to their families, friends, communities, or total strangers, we want to contribute as well. And it probably won’t come as a surprise to hear that when we help others, we help ourselves as well.
There’s an abundance of research that says showing kindness fills our lives with happiness, improves our well-being, and can even lengthen the time we have on this beautiful planet. To find out what an expert had to say about this, we previously reached out to Stephen G. Post, Ph.D., a medical school professor, opinion leader, and author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People.
The professor explained there is a well-known psychological tendency for our actions to affect emotion. Like when we smile, even if we are not especially happy, the action itself will elevate our mood. "There is an emotional 'shift effect' that does not take long, really about one hour in adolescents, perhaps two hours in adults," he said.
Post added that helping also diverts attention from the self and its problems. "[It] engages the mesolimbic pathway, which releases one of the happiness chemicals dopamine. When engaged, this tends to shut down pathways associated with destructive emotions like rumination, hostility, and anxiety."
He provided an example of how volunteering improves our well-being: a survey of 5K American adults indicated 41 percent of them volunteered about 100 hours per year or an estimated couple of hours a week. The vast majority of the participants, 70 to 90 percent, said they felt happier, more resilient, and physically healthier. Moreover, they had better friendships and found more meaning in their everyday life, Post told us.
"Studies indicate it is good to get together with fellow helpers to debrief and process the experience," Post added. It appears that when we are forming fulfilling and enduring relationships with other people, it adds a lot. Creating small circles of trust is good for reflection and can bring value to our lives.
"Our friends are no longer just the folks we hang out with or part with. Helpers report deeper relationships formed in the community of fellow helpers," Post said and noted it’s always good to celebrate giving.
The incredible part came immediately after the show ended, when all the dogs gave a standing ovation. No word yet on how they managed that...
"As one who has managed several large volunteer programs, it is best to let helpers self-select the activity or venue they prefer." Sometimes they only want to do the things they are good at, other times they want to try something entirely new. "Some report a flow state of deep immersion and satisfaction, even a loss of a sense of time," Post said.
If you feel that volunteering or making grand gestures is not your cup of tea, there are small steps you can take every day to make people around you just a bit happier. Dr. Stephen Post would like to remind you that it’s "not the amount of helping others that matters, but helping from the heart." He advises starting with small things done with kindness. "I like to Stop, Look and Listen mindfully to people around me so I can notice their needs better," he explained, adding that chronological rush can keep us from observing or hearing others’ needs.
However, we’re well aware that life can sometimes be difficult. Even when we’re driven by the best of intentions, we may get affected by unexpected situations and adversities in our personal lives that can make it hard to support others. Post mentioned there is a side of "human nature that humiliates and de-dignifies others. It is widely expressed."
But the good news is that we are all wired for altruism and kindness. "So we must always remember that everyone has that wonderful generous kindly flip side of the coin. The negative is just a part of the story," he concluded.
Just because one has a degree, doesn't mean that they're automatically entered into that fields workforce. I went to school for my associates in computer networking, but no one would hire me because I didn't have experience, I never really did do much with that degree unfortunately because of that. But I have worked for Starbucks before, and trust me when I say you can do a lot worse. They're one of the few companies that offer health benefits for part-time employees.
That was a lovely gesture. Get more girls into science! In my physics class in High School, I was one of 3 girls!
my daugther and I did the same in the Louis-Hyppolite tunnel with Cotton Eye Joe!! a couple of cars rolled with us and we had a blast!!
Note: this post originally had 102 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Now THIS is this stuff that brought me to Bored Panda in the first place! Not the USA bashing, man- bashing, politicking, Reddit- repeating posts that are so full of negativity and don't do anything to help uplift the readers. We need more of this! We can get the other stuff everywhere else, please and thank you .
Absolutely love these more wholesome posts - keep em coming! Feel like we need more reasons to smile these days
And now here's a feel good story from me! Norman, the puppet from the music video to Interpol's song "Evil", who was abandoned and left to rot for 20 years, has now been fully restored thanks to some dedicated fans who donated to his repair fund. The little guy is good as new and can finally sing that song again! https://youtu.be/RZoDQsE7fyo
Oh, we're doing feel-good stories, too? Well, there's a lady in Nebraska who drives to her local rest-stop everyday during the dry season to feed and water the prairie dogs (ground squirrels) that live behind the station. They're now so tame that they'll let the visitors cuddle them while they sit and eat their picnics.
Load More Replies... Slightly drunk, upvoted just about everything and crying happy tears
I was running a severe SMILES deficit today, so thank you for this. I think I made my daily quota.
This was so fun to read through all the posts. thank you. Right now the news is so bad all the time...this is such a refreshing read! Nice to see the good side of so many strangers!
Loved most of these. Please, please stop using disabled people as "positivity porn" though. As a wheelchair user I get this all of the time and in so many groups people with all types of disabilities really dislike it. It's infantalising. We want real accessibility, in schools/work and public life, and just to be treated as everyone else!
Bookmarked this to reread when I'm having a bad day or the world is having a bad day.
I find the best Instagram accounts to follow here on Bored Panda. Thank you! :-)
Anyone else feel like a horrible and useless human being after reading these stories? Like, I feel like I should just go die lol.
It seems like you missed the “you’re never too old to improve” post. Start small and work your way up. If you like animals, call a local shelter and ask what they need. If you like cooking, find a local retirement home and ask if you can make some desserts or something. Like building stuff, fixing stuff, painting, playing music, whatever - there are people near you whose lives would be better with you involved. I believe in you. You’ve got this.
Load More Replies... Now THIS is this stuff that brought me to Bored Panda in the first place! Not the USA bashing, man- bashing, politicking, Reddit- repeating posts that are so full of negativity and don't do anything to help uplift the readers. We need more of this! We can get the other stuff everywhere else, please and thank you .
Absolutely love these more wholesome posts - keep em coming! Feel like we need more reasons to smile these days
And now here's a feel good story from me! Norman, the puppet from the music video to Interpol's song "Evil", who was abandoned and left to rot for 20 years, has now been fully restored thanks to some dedicated fans who donated to his repair fund. The little guy is good as new and can finally sing that song again! https://youtu.be/RZoDQsE7fyo
Oh, we're doing feel-good stories, too? Well, there's a lady in Nebraska who drives to her local rest-stop everyday during the dry season to feed and water the prairie dogs (ground squirrels) that live behind the station. They're now so tame that they'll let the visitors cuddle them while they sit and eat their picnics.
Load More Replies... Slightly drunk, upvoted just about everything and crying happy tears
I was running a severe SMILES deficit today, so thank you for this. I think I made my daily quota.
This was so fun to read through all the posts. thank you. Right now the news is so bad all the time...this is such a refreshing read! Nice to see the good side of so many strangers!
Loved most of these. Please, please stop using disabled people as "positivity porn" though. As a wheelchair user I get this all of the time and in so many groups people with all types of disabilities really dislike it. It's infantalising. We want real accessibility, in schools/work and public life, and just to be treated as everyone else!
Bookmarked this to reread when I'm having a bad day or the world is having a bad day.
I find the best Instagram accounts to follow here on Bored Panda. Thank you! :-)
Anyone else feel like a horrible and useless human being after reading these stories? Like, I feel like I should just go die lol.
It seems like you missed the “you’re never too old to improve” post. Start small and work your way up. If you like animals, call a local shelter and ask what they need. If you like cooking, find a local retirement home and ask if you can make some desserts or something. Like building stuff, fixing stuff, painting, playing music, whatever - there are people near you whose lives would be better with you involved. I believe in you. You’ve got this.
Load More Replies... 