The upside of sending your friends memes is that those hard-to-talk-about issues are expressed in a safer, more socially appropriate way.
In other words, memes can become a gateway for emotional connection and more serious conversations. Taboo topics aren’t taboo when they take on the form of a cat meme, for instance.
Not only that, but finding levity and humor in difficult moments makes us more resilient to stress and anxiety.
The therapist also stresses that memes can provide validation and help people feel seen.
Many feelings and experiences are universal, even if we sometimes find it difficult to accept the fact that other people have felt the same way that we do now.
There’s a sense of connection with other people when you see memes that you can relate to.
Meanwhile, a recent study that looked at the sharing of cat meme videos among young people online found that it led to empathetic, interactive, two-way communication between the creators and the audience.
This, in turn, leads to the creation of supportive online communities, whose members share similar experiences, offer advice, and provide emotional support.
“Cat meme videos [...] serve as a medium for young people to express their social emotions, creating a vibrant and emotionally connected online community.”
Which of these classic cat memes did you personally find to be the funniest and most relatable?
What is your pet situation like at home? Tell us all about the animals living with you.
Join the conversation underneath the pics or in the comments at the very bottom of this list, Pandas! And if you want to share photos of your pets, feel free to post them, too!
