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50 Times People Found Unexpectedly Wholesome Posts On The Internet Where Strangers Had Each Other’s Backs (New Pics)
You know, Pandas, it’s really way too easy to focus just on the negatives. In fact, we’re hard-wired for that. It’s called negativity bias and it means that we dwell on the awful things that have happened to us more than the awesome ones. So with all the news about just how bad things are looking recently, you’d be perfectly right to be anxious and upset. However, we shouldn’t forget that, at the same time, life’s full of beauty, wonder, and wholesomeness. Albus Dumbledore told us that happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, but we have to remember to turn on the light. Well, let’s turn that light on, shall we?
Today, we’re featuring the best posts from the r/gatesopencomeonin subreddit, a 356k-member-strong community that celebrates people acting excellent and being wholesome to each other. It’s the kind of stuff that really restores part of your hope in humanity. And it’s a reminder that we have to strive to be altruistic and kind, especially when things are looking tough.
Upvote your fave pics as you’re scrolling down, Pandas. And tell us all about the nicest thing you’ve done for someone recently, in the comments. Meanwhile, check out Bored Panda’s interview about how to live a happy and healthy life, as well as how to be nice to others when we don’t feel like it, with writer Ariane Sherine, the author of ‘How to Live to 100’ and ‘Talk Yourself Better.’
Oh, and if you’d like some more proof that people totally have the potential to be awesome, take a peek at our earlier articles about the ‘Gates Open, Come On In’ community here: Part 1 and Part 2.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I Needed To Hear This. I'm So Tired
RELATED:
#2
A Guide To Gift Giving
#3
A Surprise Happy Ending?
The ‘Gates Open, Come On In’ subreddit has been delighting redditors (and more!) around the globe since early 2018. In the 4+ years since being founded, it’s carved out a niche of wholesomeness, hope, and good vibes by being the polar opposite of r/gatekeeping.
They only have two rules: there’s no gatekeeping allowed and you have to be nice. That’s it. Really. It’s a pretty straightforward recommendation for living a good life, isn’t it? Besides, it’s refreshing when you focus on the positives for a change, isn’t it?
#4
Better Late Than Never
Foxxy (The Original) 2 years ago (edited)
The last sentence explains it perfectly. Although there is an expiration date and that is death.
#5
Remember, Everyone Has A Purpose
#6
An Email From My Computer Science Teacher, Who I’m Not Even Taking A Class With This Semester. Genuinely Want To Cry Rn
(Probably) everyone wants to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. But it’s a hard thing to do in practice, especially when you’re bound by doubt, anxiety, and fear. Bored Panda reached out to author Ariane, who has written about health and happiness, to understand what contributes to our satisfaction with life the most. Really, it’s mostly about altruism and having a tight-knit social circle (among a few other things).
“Close, fulfilling relationships with others are one of the most important things when it comes to happiness, whether romantic or platonic. Studies show that the more close friendships and relationships you have, the longer you live,” Ariane shared with Bored Panda. “Volunteering and helping others are also likely to make you happy.”
#7
Be Free To Like Things
Lady Goldberry 2 years ago
Me: yeah, I'm really into real ales and metal music. Rando: oh really? What year was the first IPA sold internationally and what blood type is James Hatfield?
#8
One Letter Makes All The Difference!
#9
This Made Me Really Happy
Other things that play an important role in our overall happiness include being fit, having a fulfilling career, and not focusing on the material side of things too much.
“There are other things that contribute to happiness and well-being including taking regular exercise, eating healthily, having enough money to feel comfortable, having job security, and enjoying experiences rather than possessions,” the writer explained.
#10
True Spirit
#11
Making A Kid’s Day!
#12
Just Let Them Be They
“Self-care and taking time for yourself are also very important. But I'd say close relationships are probably the most essential things to happiness,” she stressed what we should all be focusing on the most.
It’s easy to be kind to someone when we’re feeling great, the sun’s shining, and it’s like we’re on top of the world. It’s far harder when we’re miserable, exhausted, and feeling down. Bored Panda wanted to get Ariane’s advice on how to be nice to someone when we’re down in the dumps and overwhelmed with problems.
#13
Unexpected Coming Out Story
#14
Never Walk Without A Bro
#15
Grandmas Are Always A Bastion Of Wholesomeness
“It's worth remembering that being kind to others can also lift you up too. In fact, the easiest way to take your mind off your own problems is to help someone else with theirs,” she said.
“But if you're feeling really lethargic and low, the best thing is probably to sleep, or at least rest,” the author pointed out that there’s nothing wrong with getting some well-deserved rest. Getting some proper sleep is a piece of advice that really deserves more attention than it gets.
#16
Wear Whatever Makes You Happy!
Dennis Knickrehm 2 years ago
So many schoolboys protesting their school's dresscode by wearing skirts (not allowed to wear shorts in the heat). Why not just keep the skirt? They are amazingly comfortable in the summer :)
#17
Liberal Arts
#18
I Love Sharing My Book Collection
We were also curious about how people can control their anxiety better, especially if they’re worried about the economy, the war, and the pandemic. Ariane shared some of her thoughts about becoming more resilient during tough times. The important thing here is to control what you can and to let go of what you can’t affect.
“It's a matter of doing what you can to make your own situation better, and then accepting that you can't control everything,” she said. “You can never control everything, and trying will make you even more anxious. But you can control certain things to reduce your risk.”
#19
On A Cathedral Door
#20
Shared Spaces
Katinka Min 2 years ago
AMEN!!!! Just yesterday I was subjected to the evil looks of a guy who wanted to read a book while I wanted to talk with my friend. Dude, it's a CAFE! Not a librabry! It#s a place wher epeople meet to have coffe and cake and a chat. You want peace and quiet? go to a a library or a co-working space.
#21
A Grown Man Indeed
Florida, but without the beach 2 years ago
Love this! I can’t imagine that’s not the response she usually gets
Ariane gave an example of how this works: “For instance, I wear an FFP2 mask on the train to work because I can control that, but no one else wears one these days. So it's possible that I'll still get Covid as no one else is masking up, but I just have to accept that, because my train journeys are essential.”
#22
Custom Veganism
Diolla 2 years ago
SO agree with this. Am trying to be vegan but I live in a cheese country.... love cheese TOO MUCH! I keep trying the vegan cheeses though. One day they will be good enough.
Notyomama 2 years ago
With mine and my husband's diet restrictions, I will never be fully vegan/vegetarian, but my meat consumption has shrunk exponentially. I used to have meat 3 times a day. Now, maybe one small portion per day. I do go some days without it at all. I mostly like to eat seafood/fish and chicken. I still eat bacon from time to time, although not even close to what I used to eat. All other pork and beef could disappear and I wouldn't care. It's mostly due to some sensory issues I developed, but I'm not unhappy about it. I also use ALOT of vegan recipes due to our diet. I made vegan banana nut muffins last night. Was afraid they would be dry. Nope. Delicious!
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Katinka Min 2 years ago
So true! Reducing harmful things in your life is always helpful. There is no need to turn everythign into a religion, just so you can tell people they are 'not doing it right'. So you smokke 2 cigarettes a day instead of 20? Great? You only fly once every two years instead of five times? Cool! You eat one or two good steak instead of kilos of meat? Awesome! It all helps. And cutting down on something usually means cutting it down even more, once you get used to it.
Llama_flower93 2 years ago
I love this! I rarely eat red meat now, stick to chicken and fish and I'm bringing my portion sizes down. And I can't eat dairy anyway. I feel like doing these things is an improvement both for society/animals/environment and for my own health. No one should ever shame you for making positive steps, even if they are small.
Giovanna 2 years ago (edited)
That's me. I don't usually eat meat, but I'll have a cold cut sandwich when I'm on a field trip. Also, if my mom makes her famous Sunday roast, I'll eat it. I don't define myself as a vegetarian, but I actually think the amount of meat I eat in a year is really small. Say it happens once a month, MAYBE.
Llama_flower93 2 years ago
That's awesome! It's great if someone wants to never eat meat but simply eating less of it is positive too.
Load More Replies... Katherine Forest 2 years ago
Absolutely! You don't have to conform to labels to save animals. Do what you can and eat mindfully!
HOUSE 2 years ago
Even just cutting out beef helps the environment so much, its the biggest offender when it comes to carbon emissions.
Liv 2 years ago
Being more careful about the origin of the "products" (buying from places with an animal well-being recognized certificate, or buying bio/organic) already helps a lot. Once in a while I buy cheese from happy goats that roam freely and are well treated. I have no bad conscience about it. :)
Tenacious Squirrel 2 years ago
For sure. Another awesome example is if you want to start being more eco friendly or reducing waste or something - just do what you can. It’s great to make an improvement, whatever that is. Just pick up some rubbish from the floor so it doesn’t go in the sea, for example. Big win. You don’t need to build a certified eco house to make a change.
Barbara Skolly 2 years ago
I know someone who follows a vegan diet but is not truly vegan as her penchant for designer purses that contain leather gets in the way of being fully vegan. No harm in following a mostly plant based diet, much better than a mostly animal based diet.
Mosheh Wolf 2 years ago
We know that mammals that are raised for meat have an outsized impact on the environment, so we have reduced our red meat consumption by some 95%. I'll still have a burger or a lamb chop once in a blue moon. At that amount, it has very little impact.
Roxy Eastland 2 years ago
You don't have to fit in to a label anyway. If you think the industrial raising of chickens is extremely cruel but that fish live a life out at sea until they're caught and that's okay, then eschew chicken but keeping eating fish. Or whatever. You don't have to fit into someone else's definition.
Demongrrrrl 2 years ago
There are times when I give in to my hamburger cravings, but that's rare.
2 years ago
Yes I completely agree. I'm mostly vegetarian but I can't give up on dino nuggies!
Al Christensen 2 years ago
Ah, I've gotten grief over the years from several vegans because I'm only about 85% vegan.
John Beck 2 years ago
It is wise to live one's own life rather than trying to fit into some group and attempting to conform to other's norms. It is OK to be a "kinda vegan" - or a Vegan on weekdays. For that matter, it is 100% OK to eat animal products - or fungus! Make your choices based on what is right for you - those who matter won't mind and those who mind don't matter!
europaleta 2 years ago
Exactly, don't beat yourself if you are unable to reach that final vegan destination in the end. You've still made a change and it counts.
Lenka Smetanová 2 years ago
That Vegan Teacher be like: 20+ videos bragging about how she's not good enough
KING ILLEGAL FOREST 2 years ago
If you can (obvs depends on where you live/what you can afford) try to buy animal products locally. I get all my milk and butter from a local dairy farm. All my meat and eggs from other local farms. The animals are free to wander the fields most of the time, and the barns and other buildings are all clean (at least as clean as they can get on a farm with lots of animals). Also I'm assuming the dairy cows are quite spoiled, as every time I visit the farm, they demand scritches behind their ears and under their chins.
ADumpsterFire 2 years ago
I dropped beef from my menu and i save money and really don't miss it. This is really good advice
#24
My Music Taste
Jackie Dray 2 years ago
This is so me. My playlist can go from Metallica to Backstreet Boys to Beethoven's 5th
During an earlier in-depth interview, Suzanne Degges-White, Licensed Counselor, Professor, and Chair at the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at Northern Illinois University, shared with Bored Panda how our family values, spiritual beliefs, and even our biology all play a crucial role in our altruistic actions.
"Many of us are raised to believe it is the 'right thing to do.' Basically, all spiritual belief systems have a version of the 'Golden Rule, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ "We also do good turns because we know that one day we may be in need of a little 'generosity from the universe,' so it's like putting 'money' into a karma account," she shared how people think.
#25
Easy Come, Easy Go
#26
This Dad Is A Legend
#27
Rob Zombie Taking On Anyone Who Wants To Gatekeep Metal
"Lastly, humans are wired so that when we do something kind for another, we feel good about ourselves and neurotransmitters like endorphins and oxytocin have been shown to get a boost when we do something good for another. It is through cooperation that society functions, so the survival of the human race depends on being willing to help others. Family values, spiritual beliefs, and biology all play a part in this motivation," the professor explained to us.
#28
What A Great Sign
#29
Ok Zoomer
#30
Any Age Can Love Dah Wahs
"Many of us take pride in being of service to others as it is culturally valued and we want to hold significance in our worlds. So when we do good deeds, we show others our willingness to help those in distress/need; we live out faith-based encouragement to treat others the way we would like to be treated, we uphold family values, and our brains get a positive jolt of happiness when we help others.”
#31
Tiredness
#32
Fixed A Stupid Meme
#33
Your Trauma Is Valid
#34
Everyone Gets To Complain About The Weather
Lady Goldberry 2 years ago
Honestly, apparently some other countries have been mocking us in the UK for not being 'able to handle the heat'...WE'RE NOT CONDITIONED FOR IT! Most of us vary between glow-in-the-dark white and cooked lobster red! WE ARE GOOD AT RAIN!
#35
Klingons Kinda Inclusive
Tobias Reaper 2 years ago
its a very good analogy for trans people i suppose Klingons dont care what gender you are as long as you a warrior with honour
#36
It's For All Of You
#37
Do What You Like
Karen Fernley 2 years ago
in that case, i will leave the note stickers on my piano keys, and continue to play with one hand, until i am ready to play with both hands 😁
#39
Reading Goals
Teresa Thomas 2 years ago (edited)
I needed this. I only just completed my 3rd book for the year - its been difficult to find time to sit and read. I am trying to fill more time by reading rather than being online. I hope to have read at least 5 books by the end of the year
#40
Melon Flavored Jellyfish's Mom Says The Gates Are Open
#41
Opening The Gates To Readers Of All Ages
SealOfDisapproval 2 years ago
I agree wholeheartedly with that sign. I've never quite understand the whole concept of "young adult books". Aren't you limiting the potential audience by stating the industry's target audience? Who even makes the decisions: "yeah, this is a young adult book".
#42
Ambisexual
#43
Gotta Clean Up
#45
I'm Sure Many Of Us Needed To Hear This
Hyde and Seek 2 years ago
F*****g THIS! Everyone has something different that they can do . Sometimes it's petitions ,sometimes it's protests,sometimes it's writing letters ,sometimes it's survival,sometimes it's education. The only path that isn't ok is turning a blind eye to the problem.
#46
Vegan BBQ
#47
Slap Some Dang Rice
#48
Nice Flex
Kerryming Sun 2 years ago
We love a mob psycho 100 reference! A really great and wholesome manga/anime too
#49
Metallica Welcomes Everyone
Add New Image
What do you think ?
wowbagger 2 years ago
I learned a lot from this list. I didn't realize i do so much gatekeeping, and i want to decrease it.
ADumpsterFire 2 years ago
Hey when you know better you do better and it's cool you realized it now!
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Bored Retsuko 2 years ago
Friendly reminder: downvotes are NOT dislike buttons. Downvoting a comment just because you don't agree = not cool. If a comment gets downvoted, its author will get banned from the site. So please downvote only in case of obvious spam ("how to make cash") or if someone is literally harrassing a fellow panda
Lea S. 2 years ago
Damn. One downvote that could be a mistake or petty revenge gets the author banned? That sucks.
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wowbagger 2 years ago
I learned a lot from this list. I didn't realize i do so much gatekeeping, and i want to decrease it.
ADumpsterFire 2 years ago
Hey when you know better you do better and it's cool you realized it now!
Load More Replies... Bored Retsuko 2 years ago
Friendly reminder: downvotes are NOT dislike buttons. Downvoting a comment just because you don't agree = not cool. If a comment gets downvoted, its author will get banned from the site. So please downvote only in case of obvious spam ("how to make cash") or if someone is literally harrassing a fellow panda
Lea S. 2 years ago
Damn. One downvote that could be a mistake or petty revenge gets the author banned? That sucks.
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