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Tragicomedy, as a genre, has existed for more than 23 centuries. It paradoxically blends the sad and the funny, proving that things are rarely just black and white. Seriousness as well as absurdity coexist in real life too, and the “Funny and Sad” online community is just one proof of that. 

With more than 1 million members, it shares life's moments that are equally as tragic as they are comedic. After all, life can’t always be sunshine and rainbows, and when hardship hits, it can be better to deal with it in a humorous way.

While you’re scrolling through, don’t forget to check out a conversation with Jennifer Toof, LPC, NCC, an expert in trauma and owner of Trauma Informed Counseling & Consulting, who kindly agreed to tell us more about coping with humor.

#1

I'm Sure This Is Just A Coincidence. Nothing To See Here

I'm Sure This Is Just A Coincidence. Nothing To See Here

DanPriceSeattle Report

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Scott Riley
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I upvoted this because it needs attention. Personally, I down vote this practice of average people paying for some rich dudes stadiums that allow them to fleece the public of even more money! Subsidizing big oil, big pharma, big tech, and sports is immoral.

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#3

Thank God It's Not The 1920s Anymore... Right...?

Thank God It's Not The 1920s Anymore... Right...?

BeardedGenius Report

“Humor serves as a defense mechanism, meaning it can be an unconscious psychological response to protect people from feelings of anxiety, threats to self-esteem, and things that they don't want to think about or deal with,” trauma expert Jennifer Toof told Bored Panda.

“So in tragic or sad moments, some people turn to humor to cope, and, since it's unconscious, they may not even realize they are using humor in that way,” she said.

#4

B(

B(

andlikelaura Report

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GlitterPanda
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a friends who calls teeth "luxury bones" because she was told they weren't needed to do her job when she asked why insurance didn't cover dental...

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#6

And The Cycle Continues

And The Cycle Continues

TayZonday Report

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Dealing with hard times with humor has physical and emotional benefits, according to research. “Laughter releases endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, all of which are associated with improved mood,” explains Toof.

“It also decreases the release of cortisol, the stress hormone, meaning it can make people feel less stressed and more relaxed. Even the act of smiling has been found to release chemicals associated with happiness and stress relief. 

Humor can also distract us from things that are overwhelmingly difficult, and it helps us reframe situations, making a potentially scary, sad, or traumatic situation appear less threatening.”

#7

Wish There Was Hell; Oh Wait We Live In It

Wish There Was Hell; Oh Wait We Live In It

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Black Cat
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, and can only use the toilet during his designated break. And have a boss like himself as his allocated demon.

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Meanwhile, only focusing on the bad things in life can trap us in a loop of anxiety and even self-criticism.

“Negative thinking patterns can include only paying attention to failures and ignoring successes, black or white thinking (e.g., ‘If I get anything less than an A+ on this test, I’m a failure’), labeling oneself based on mistakes (e.g., ‘I’m a loser, an idiot’), [and] mind-reading (e.g., ‘Everyone will think I’m a loser for not getting this promotion’),” said Emma Morton, an expert of psychology, in a previous interview with Bored Panda.

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#10

And Schools

And Schools

Wicklit Report

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Auntriarch
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In reply to Spike Hodge, part of my work involves child protection. Most of the offenders are relatives. Fewer than 20% are teachers/church/scoutmasters or other people in a position of trust. So far (and I confess we are a largely rural area) absolutely no drag artists.

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#11

Jesus Was A Pacifist

Jesus Was A Pacifist

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axle f
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...they think we were created specifically as a Christian nation, a lot of them. Fools, bullies, goons, and hypocrites...

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#12

American Healthcare

American Healthcare

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Jack Burton
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Insuline is one of the cheapest medecine on earth. I mean we know how to produce it very easily and for not much money. Work in hospital in France and i feel bad when i think at how much insulin we just waste. At some point americans should just ask to european to send them insuline by postal service. I mean in France not only insuline is really cheap but it's also refunded by social security for every person suffering from diabete. Diabete is on a list of 30 chronic disease and social security pay everything related to these disease.

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Despite all the benefits of coping with humor, like any defense mechanism, it can become an issue when it’s overused to avoid dealing with problems, says Toof. “In the short term, after a difficult situation, humor can help someone put distance between themselves and an overwhelming experience, but the underlying trauma will remain there if it's not addressed and resolved.”

#13

The Ideal Utopia, Simply Being Allowed To Be Safe

The Ideal Utopia, Simply Being Allowed To Be Safe

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#14

Happens Every Night

Happens Every Night

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Jack Burton
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have started to cheat my brain and it works. When i go to bed i say to myself i'm gonna read at least 50 pages of this book or i will watch this entire movie, i don't care i'm not gonna sleep early. And how surprise i fall asleep. Same for the morning, if i'm motivated to sleep more and add minutes to my alarm i usually feel pretty woke up. Reverse psychology on myself helps me and that's so weird.

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Another potential downside is the possibility of hurting others. “That is, humor that is inappropriate or at the expense of others can be hurtful and harmful,” explains Toof. “People would be wise to their best judgment about what's appropriate or hurtful when making jokes in front of other people during hard times.”

#17

Ha Ha Ha Ha Sports

Ha Ha Ha Ha Sports

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Michael None
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait til this person finds out how much the failing US high school system spends on team sports.

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#18

If And Only If You Have A Job In The First Place

If And Only If You Have A Job In The First Place

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axle f
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... it's almost like capitalism is a private game for a handful of folks to really stick it to the tremendous majority of decent folks...

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Interestingly, many comedians use humor to cope and hide their struggles behind comedy. Like Robin Williams, who prematurely passed away at 63, or like Ellen DeGeneres, Sarah Silverman, Richard Pryor, and Woody Allen, who spoke or joked about depression and lack of self-worth that followed them in the past or even present.

#19

Us History Is Full Of Darkness

Us History Is Full Of Darkness

PubicZirconium Report

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axle f
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... we've always lied to ourselves, we looooove our own particular brand of booolshit in the USA

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#20

Thought This Would Be A Good Reminder For The Super Bowl Coming Up

Thought This Would Be A Good Reminder For The Super Bowl Coming Up

matthew_hines32 Report

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Carson Scott
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay here's my view, take it or leave it. I don't care what y'all say about it. I think that Marijuana should be used medically, like for instance fixing seizures or other medical problems. My problem is with recreational marijuana use, both of my biological parents used marijuana when I was a child and needless to say they weren't present at all. They also used heroin but the Marijuana contributed a bunch. So in short, medicinal use is good and should be promoted, but recreational use is destructive

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#21

We Are All Capitalist In Us, Reason We Pee On Corporate Time

We Are All Capitalist In Us, Reason We Pee On Corporate Time

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Amy E
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Implode faster!! Wonder how we could all help hasten capitalisms end? K!ll it before it k!lls us.

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One of the earliest psychological studies of comedians, carried out in 1975 by Samuel Janus, found that 80% of them reached out to mental health professionals at some point in their lives. He included a comment in the article saying, “They repeatedly expressed the fear that if they were successful in analysis, to the point where their suffering was greatly relieved, they would then cease to be funny.”

#22

He's Not Even

He's Not Even

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#23

That's Why It's Called The American "Dream"

That's Why It's Called The American "Dream"

dovethedivine Report

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axle f
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...because some billionaires bought the right folks votes. pretty simple.

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#24

Oh No!

Oh No!

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One thing is clear: humor is a great aid in helping us cope with hardships, but jokes alone can't eliminate the issues that plague our lives. As the author of Brain World Magazine perfectly put it, “Laughter may be the best medicine, but it isn’t a perfect medicine.”

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#25

American First vs. Socialism !

American First vs. Socialism !

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james stevenson
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved how in the movie Day After Tomorrow the whole of america has to flee to mexico. Oh, how the tables have turned

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#26

Poor, Billionaires

Poor, Billionaires

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axle f
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...well, they *do* hide their taxable incomes overseas. Panama Papers?

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#27

What's Next? Society Better Wake Up Before Its Too Late

What's Next? Society Better Wake Up Before Its Too Late

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#28

So Many True Words Here

So Many True Words Here

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Black Cat
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've actually met some Americans and they really do go around saying 'America is the best country in the world'. Bizarre, it's like they're brainwashed. Other western countries look at America as an example of how not to be.

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#30

Let Em Take My Surplus, I Have Freedom

Let Em Take My Surplus, I Have Freedom

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#31

The Future Of Ai In America

The Future Of Ai In America

HiDiddleDeDeeGodDamn Report

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#33

Customer Service: Hello, We Are Here To Help You

Customer Service: Hello, We Are Here To Help You

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#34

Found On Fb

Found On Fb

TheDownvotesFarmer Report

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Emma S
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why Denmark has low reoffending rates. Prisoners who are treated with respect and given the opportunity to get an education, a job and a home upon release are much less likely to go back to a life of crime.

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#35

Pain And Suffering

Pain And Suffering

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#36

A Party That Has Drifted Off The Political Spectrum

A Party That Has Drifted Off The Political Spectrum

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#37

People In Us Need Critical Thinking More Than USD

People In Us Need Critical Thinking More Than USD

Devils_negotiator Report

#38

Let's Be Honest... Companies Don't Care

Let's Be Honest... Companies Don't Care

sapphirestar411 Report

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axle f
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... That's not an acceptable excuse, unless you have a doctor's note. Drrrr.

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#39

Deer Interview

Deer Interview

No8Pay8834 Report

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Ash
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Deer hunting was extremely popular where I grew up. Of course, deer were also EXTREMELY PLENTIFUL where I grew up. A deer hit my mom's car once. Yes, you read that correctly.

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#40

Very Rare Photos Of The Us Army Seizing The Weapons Of Mass Destruction Of Iraq

Very Rare Photos Of The Us Army Seizing The Weapons Of Mass Destruction Of Iraq

Pleasant-Force Report

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Tee Pussi
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like there was an ulterior motive to the whole war but I just can't imagine what it could be.

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#41

"Well That Was Antifa"

"Well That Was Antifa"

oliver_billz Report

#42

Free If You’re Under A Specified Income

Free If You’re Under A Specified Income

Trevornoah Report

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Verena
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, in the Netherlands you know how much you ow them and you receive a pre-filled tax form with all positive and negative factors. You are obliged to check it and add everything omitting, then send it back.

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#43

Us Can See Everything, Except A Revolution

Us Can See Everything, Except A Revolution

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lwolf1952
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, Lee, If it wasn't for Medicare Senator Rick Scott wouldn't have had anything to steal from.

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#46

Not Sure If It's Funny Or Sad That Trump's Nfts Sold Out In Just A Day

Not Sure If It's Funny Or Sad That Trump's Nfts Sold Out In Just A Day

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Tee Pussi
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And now they're donating because he was pronounced guilty in court. These people have too much money.

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#47

I Was Trying To Prepare Your Schedule

I Was Trying To Prepare Your Schedule

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Samantha
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel that the Queen (who was a very good one) should have abdicated and let Charles rule a bit longer.

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#48

I Thought I Was Special

I Thought I Was Special

SpecialistMovie569 Report

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M S
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not? They are all handsome and looking alike as far I can tell.

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#49

I Know. I Just Need To Work Harder!

I Know. I Just Need To Work Harder!

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Johnny McFearless
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My poor great-grandma lived through the balkan wars of both 1910s and 1990s, ww1, ww2, fascism, communism, the cold War, and an occasional famine. I have it surprisingly easy with only one war.

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#50

Can't Win

Can't Win

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Note: this post originally had 83 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.