Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
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
#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
#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
Robert T 2 years ago
Speak for yourself. I knew both songs well before either of those were released. But then I'm old, my bones creak, and half the time I can't even remember my own name!
Sue User 2 years ago
I rember when the kids came to me about this cool run dmc song called " walk this way"
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
Nathaniel 2 years ago
Have you seen those Youtube videos where black American, urban kids entrenched in rap music and the like, hear songs like Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time? They are quite fun, they are shown a musical world they never knew about.
Dennis Knickrehm 2 years ago
I freakin' LOVE those videos! Just watching people discovering a new thing (witch I happen to like) and seeing the pure joy in their faces. Lightens my mood every single time :)
Load More Replies...
Katinka Min 2 years ago
I've heard running up that hill when it came out. But I am 50. How the hell should anybody who wasn't alive in the 80s know that song? It was practically forgotten.
Me 2 years ago
I was alive in the 80's and never heard of the song. Maybe I should be shamed.
Load More Replies... 
Cerise Hood 2 years ago
It's also the same with Metallica. They welcome everyone with open arms.
Oliver Nelson 2 years ago
My dad has been a Metallica fan forever and he's just happy that Master of Puppets finally is on the top 100.
Load More Replies...
Blackheart 2 years ago (edited)
I agree with the sentiment wholeheartedly. However, some of us are just old and heard Bohemian Rhapsody when it came out. Why shame people for discovering something that makes them happy?
Eunice Probert 2 years ago
I'm old enough to have heard BR the first time round! But it doesn't matter. Anytime is a good time to enjoy it. Heck, I love listening to Bach's music. No one gets all bent out of shape because I wasn't there when he wrote it! :-)
Rita Flynn 2 years ago
I became a Kate Bush fan eons ago when she first released this. I’m 71 now. If pop culture can bring kids into the fandom, i say go for it. The kids and I now have something in common, Running Up That Hill is magic the first time you hear it, when it was on vinyl or in a popular TV show.
Peter Trudell Jr 2 years ago
Honestly loved Bohemian Rhapsody and Running Up That hill before their respective showcase in visual media. (Kate Bush is a goddess, Freddie Mercury is a Queen!) But being late to the party doesn't mean you're NOT AT THE PARTY! Party on.
Tiny Dancer 2 years ago
Speak for yourself, you young whipper-snapper! Heard both when they were first played on the radio way back when. Actually, I heard Kate's tune before it hit radio as I bought the album the day it was released. I'm not angry, though, which makes no sense to me. I am delighted to see the kids rediscover the glory of Kate Bush.
Phil Vaive 2 years ago
I saw a recent interview she did, she's just thrilled about it reaching number 4 on the Billboard list last month! I never heard the song before Stranger Things and I love it!
Load More Replies...
Anna Nowak 2 years ago
LOL I'm 30 and also heard this song for the first time in Stranger Things. Kind of embarrassing, but who cares 😅
Matt MacFarlane 2 years ago
Hell, when I first heard Owner of a Lonely Heart from Yes in 1984 I thought they were a new band.
LittleWombat 2 years ago
Absolutely same!! And I'm embarrassed to tell you how many other bands I heard for the first time back then I thought were NEW only because they were new to me, lol!! Must be human nature, I guess!
Load More Replies... Phil Vaive 2 years ago
In contexts talking about two songs? Hard disagree. This isn't that serious. When you're making generalizations about people based on their skin colour or their gender or who they like to make plow with? Then yeah.
Load More Replies...
Alicia GriffonLady 2 years ago
Hey! I had to walk up hill both ways, in the snow, barefoot, and pedal a generator to watch Wayne's world! And shoveling the gravel so i had to walk up hill the second time was no small feat! XD
Alicia GriffonLady 2 years ago
Oh, and when i say the book was better, i'm not gate keeping on the movie, i'm just hoping you'll read the book so we can gossip about all the little details the movie changed or left out.
Load More Replies...
LakeMonster 2 years ago
It's dumb, who cares? Only sad they missed out on a amazing song they could have started enjoying earlier.
Arthur Waite 2 years ago
I remember the old Bugs Bunny cartoon where he did "The Barber of Seville". T'was in a movie theatre, between the double-feature. Made a lasting impression, and made me an opera fan for life. (not exclusive, just eclectic.)
Peter Trudell Jr 2 years ago
Wish they'd make a "Looney Tunes" collection of Classical music. I mean... I have most of the pieces (Love Hungarian Rhapsody #2)... but still.
Load More Replies...
Víctor Alfonso García Olmo 2 years ago
You make me smile, you stupid youngster!!!! :- D I´m not so old (just 55 years young)
Panda in the Fake South 2 years ago
Absolutely I grew up listening to classic rock with my dad on his vinyl and 8 tracks but some how never heard Bohemian Rhapsody until Wayne's World. One of my favorites was Alice's Restaurant
Gavin Johnson 2 years ago
I’m delighted that people’s ears are being exposed to music that’s interesting to them, I’m a huge Metallica fan, I have enjoyed their music since I was a teenager, I’m now knocking on the door of 50 and I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to seeing new faces at gigs, sharing the love and energy. Same goes for Kate Bush’s music and everything ‘old’, if someone likes it then they are welcome to the party. If you want to gatekeep then jog on, this stuff is for everyone.
Llama_flower93 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure the new kids haven't heard "Baby" by Justin Beiber. It's cause they didn't exist yet when it was playing everywhere. Why would we make fun of them for that? That's so stupid. It's just peoples way of trying to get even for feeling old when it's not even the fault of the young person. So dumb.
Gabby Ghoul 2 years ago (edited)
I first heard Bohemian Rhapsody when my older brother brought it home in the 1970's and it had a profound effect on a young me--I thought "what is *this*?" and I learned that being different or doing things differently didn't have to be weird, it could be very cool.
Jaybird3939 2 years ago
There's a thing on You Tube where young people listen to different genres of music for the first time. My favorite so far is Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight". They've also had Bohemian Rhapsody, a country music artist, and various others. It's great to watch people realize that there is other good music out there besides the one they listen to.
kkathleen517 2 years ago
I just turned 40, I have never heard that song. I've never heard of it. I did just look it up and listen to it. No offense to anyone but its terrible.
Katrin Krueger 2 years ago
How are kids supposed to know all those unimportant things from the past? Blaming them for not knowing every single song? (Plus, who is the generation of teachers who taught these kids???)
April Pickett 2 years ago
I never saw the movie, but the previews of the head banging to that song got me started on Queen. I love Queen. I've got their music, books, and the lyric book of all their songs so I can sing along. I am always amazed at what they did every time I hear their songs.
Jennifer Germain 2 years ago
seriously, I love old R&B and blues, way before my time but good is good. The discovery is the fun part anyway
Fish Fingers 2 years ago
OMG, you didn't find out about shoes from a fourteen century farmer!? Loser...
Roxy Eastland 2 years ago
LOL, I'm old enough that I first heard Bohemian Rhapsody when it was released, but it is making me wonder what classics from the fifties or sixties I first met in a film or drama. I discovered the Transiberian Orchestra because of a youtube video of Christmas decorations.
SOPHIA BARTLETT 2 years ago
i really appreciate this. my mother was born in the 80s and this was one of her favorite songs when she was a teen. when i was younger we would rock out to this song ALL THE TIME. busy over the years i forgot about it until i watched stranger things. i was so excited that i i had finally found the song again, as it was a big my moon and i did. listening to it makes me feel closer to her. so thank you for this
Maggie Fulton 2 years ago
Actually,, ancient enough to have heard Bohemian Rhapsody before Wayne’s World , but I heartily agree. Who cares how you find something you like? If you like Running Up That Hill and have discovered Kate Bush, great! Now you have something more that you love!
Paulo Leitao 2 years ago
no, we did not, we heard it from a tv and from a CD.. but even if we did, there is nothing wrong with it.
Michael Fuhry 2 years ago
Yeah. What ever happened to simply being thrilled to hear, see, taste, experience something soul-stirring for the first time? I'm 58, and I still get to enjoy that sensation.
Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago
Listen, I discovered swing music by finding and playing my parents’ old 78s when I was a child (I’m 61, born in 1960, and my parents got married in 1941), and no one NO ONE tried to gatekeeper and shame me for getting into it 30+ years after it was first popular.
John Beck 2 years ago
This is a time-honored tradition among you Earthlings - each generation bashes on the next for not being alive when something cool happened. Sure, tweets add some novelty to this long-standing tradition, but even the ancient Greeks did this ... if you'd been alive a few millennia ago you would have known that!
Jessica Cifelli 2 years ago
To be fair, I never heard the original song, only the cover sung by Voice Play, an Acapella group
Bryan W. 2 years ago
No one who was actually alive when it was released really remembers it because it's not even a great song. It's meh at best and now freaking annoying when it comes up on the radio. It's only relevant now because some producer at Netflix probably literally Googled "80s music running up hill" for the running up a hill scene and clicked the first link.
#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!
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.
Load More Replies...
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.
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 Times People Posted Such Ridiculous Things On “NextDoor” They Deserved To Be Shamed (New Pics) Dad Asks If He’s The [Jerk] For Leaving His Kid’s B-Day Party Because Cake Had Her Deadname On It 28 Things Which Expose Any Person's Low Intelligence, As Shared In This Viral Thread On X
Greta Jaruševičiūtė
Rūta Zumbrickaitė
Denis Krotovas
Related on Bored Panda
