ADVERTISEMENT

Do you like feeling good, pandas? Having a giggle and saying "Aww" at the same time? How about some silly, cute pics, then? Well, since we're all about positivity here at Bored Panda, that's why we've got another collection of wholesome images here for you today.

Courtesy of the "Heck, This Is Wholesome" group on Facebook, feast your eyes on these pictures that just might have the ability to heal your soul. The group has only one rule: anything that makes you happy! And when you're done with this piece of wholesomeness, be sure to check out our previous article on the group here!

Wholesomeness is all the rage now, didn't you know? The "Heck, this is wholesome" group on Facebook has more than 1.9 million members. If that's not a testament to how the internet is going gaga over wholesome content at the moment, I don't know what is.

Interestingly, the internet wasn't always the place to go for earnestness and wholesomeness. Even dog and cat pictures, a staple of the early World Wide Web, had a certain edge to them; one of the main requirements was that the picture had to be funny, with the pet either doing something derpy or acting like a human.

ADVERTISEMENT

For most of their history, memes have been absurdist, surrealist and sometimes even required in-depth insider knowledge of the internet. Memes were like living organisms, evolving through time. But how did this shift from dank and ironic to nice and wholesome happen? And, more importantly, why?

Amanda Brennan, multimedia journalist, curator of Tumblr's fandom trends, and former contributor to Know Your Meme, says wholesome memes began to take center stage because our understanding of what the internet is for has changed. If before, it was about fake identities and sarcasm, today, it's all about authenticity.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

"I think people are getting more in touch with presenting their authentic personalities online rather than presenting what they feel like they should be on social media," Brennan told Vox. "On Tumblr, authentic actions come first. You're there for whatever thing you love the most — animals, TV shows, musicians, your favorite ship. People are starting to realize that maybe it's okay to be that authentic version of yourself everywhere on the internet."

Other digital culture experts are saying that "wholesome" is the ultimate Gen Z compliment. Some even say that the word itself means something different to Gen Z. The Merriam-Webster defines 'wholesome' as "promoting mental or moral health and well-being" and "promoting health of body." But on the internet, it doubles as a synonym for "endearing."

ADVERTISEMENT

"The word 'wholesome' now reflects something more positive, accepting, and feel-good," Julia Mathews, the president of King's College London Wholesome Society, told The Standard. "Perhaps this is in part due to Gen Z's awareness of the importance of wellbeing and mental health, as well as a desire for positivity in a world with increasingly negative mainstream content."

#18

Hecking-Wholesome

Leathillmatic Report

Add photo comments
POST
Riley Quinn
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My pediatrician would give me a tri-colored lolly, and as a child who rarely got sweets, I would do anything he asked for it.

Beachbum
Community Member
23 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But then won't he be disap[pointed to find out that he is not the next spiderman?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Perhaps people finally realized that being mean online doesn't make you feel any happier? Yes, we're prone to negativity bias, those who have a negative outlook on the world actually are at a disadvantage. One study of 180 nuns in Milwaukee found that joyful nuns live longer than their gloomy counterparts. So, would you rather be cringe or live longer?

#19

Hecking-Wholesome

heckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
Eastendbird
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Dad tolerated the cats we had, growing up. He was never cruel, he looked after them but was indifferent to them. When I moved back home from university, I brought my cat, Archie, with me. Dad fell in love with Archie, who was clever, funny and mischievous. Archie, in turn, adored my Dad. They had 5 wonderful years together, then Archie died. I'll never forget my Dad asking me "When will it stop hurting that he's gone?"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Some people also suggest that we've turned to wholesomeness as a form of resistance. Letty Cole, creative strategist at MØRNING and editor of Burn After Reading, also told The Standard: "Think and hope wholesome content is a true reflection of our desires to go outside, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy our planet."

ADVERTISEMENT
#24

Hecking-Wholesome

heckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
The Mediterranean Fruit
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The best…idk, it wasn’t really a compliment, but anyway the best thing ever was when a lunch lady who had a thick southern accent said to me “Why hello little mama how can I help you.” 😅 (I was like 10)

View more commentsArrow down menu

The New York Times suggests that wholesomeness is not just a trend; it's a generational value. Michèle Lamont, a sociology professor at Harvard, told the NYT that Gen Z became adults under COVID-19, and that's why they focus on positivity in order to overcome the hardships.

Hopecore videos on TikTok are another form of wholesome content online. What a few years ago would've been branded as cringe and laughable is now providing much-needed comfort to people. Louisa McGillicuddy, the trends lead at TikTok, told The Independent that people don't just watch these videos – they save a high save ratio too. "It's almost like stockpiling affirmations," McGillicuddy noted.

ADVERTISEMENT
#29

Hecking-Wholesome

heckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
G A
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah but when they snuggle up and purr, you forgive them the litter kicked out of the box, the scratched wallpaper, traumatising his brother, sneaking treats....etc....

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

So, Pandas, here's some positivity for you – either for the beginning, the middle, or the end of your day. Let's all make our little corner of the internet a little bit better, shall we? And when you're done with this list, be sure to check out another collection of wholesome pictures right here!

#31

Hecking-Wholesome

heckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
JimSteve
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me and my brother still have our combined collection in one of those ring-binders. It is chockers!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#37

Hecking-Wholesome

heckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mavis
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think the artist has entirely captured the mood.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#51

Hecking-Wholesome

heckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
G A
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ohhhhhh! So very cute! Duck pocket mandatory on all shirts!

#54

Hecking-Wholesome

heckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#58

Hecking-Wholesome

The library in Tigard, Oregon has a tiger mascot and they've decorated one of their book drops to look like he's eating your books when you return them it's so pure

heckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#63

Hecking-Wholesome

taibunnii Report

Add photo comments
POST
#64

Hecking-Wholesome

heckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
#65

Hecking-Wholesome

HumansNoContext Report

Add photo comments
POST