lockdown

Last month we asked all of you to help us rank the best 2020 memes of the year. The memes were both depressing and relatable, a reflection of the year's bleak and soul-sucking vibes. From the Covid-19 pandemic and murder hornets to the hellish election in the United States, it really felt like someone upstairs (if you believe in that sort of thing) was pulling a cruel prank on us. But it's important to try to take the bad times with a sense of humor. And these are the memes that you, our loyal friends and followers, thought summed up the year the best. Here's to 2021. We know things aren't going to change immediately, but we damn, we deserve a break, don't we?

We've always been honest about the entertainment that we offer you. It's a source of pride. We're not here to pretend that these are the best memes ever created. We're not going to claim that you'll be gasping for air from laughter. All we will ever promise is that we have memes. And they're funnier than the work or the studying you should be doing.  

Kobe Bryant's death, wildfires, World War III, Chernobyl 2.0, plague, murder hornets, and probably some other things we're forgetting. If you went back in time by six months to warn yourself about how horrible 2020 was going to be, would you believe any of it? Probably not. And now that we're months into quarantine, it feels like we'll all be stuck in our homes forever. 

Whatever, who cares, have some memes.

Remember the beginning of quarantine back in March? We thought we'd come out of the ordeal stronger, healthier, and with a greater appreciation for the privileges that come with "real life." Unfortunately, for many of us, that dream was very, very far from the truth. Many of us packed on the pounds, fought with our partners, and nearly lost our minds trying to juggle working from home and parenting. It was a nightmare - one that some people are still living. 

Barbie enthusiast Tonya Ruiz has decided use the simpler horrors of living through the pandemic to create versions of the classic dolls that people can actually relate to in these apocalyptic times. From manically trying to pick up new hobbies, to binge-eating and chugging wine, these remixed Barbies reflect our harrowing experiences. They also showcase Ruiz's creativity and attention to detail. We just wish we'd had a hobby like this to get us through the darker days of lockdown. 

As cities begin to open up their businesses and offices after months of lockdown, many of us are getting new jobs or returning to old ones. A lot of people had to work straight through this lockdown hell. No one wants to work 40+ hours a week for a wage that barely covers living expenses, but during a global pandemic our options start to wane and we all gotta power through to get that bread. Unless you're Jeff Bezos or something, these memes about the woes of work-life might deeply resonate with you. We recommend scrolling through these memes while pooping on the clock for a truly cathartic experience.

While many things may seem uncertain right now, there's one thing we can definitely count on: memes. Even as unrest and illness plague the globe, meme-makers and posters are still hard at work giving us the comedy we need to survive. And we've got a whole lot of that comedy right here for you.

We come bearing gifts, and we come with a message. The message? Don't let boredom take hold of your poor, poor brain. The gifts? A crap ton of memes, tweets, and Tumblr posts that will aid you in the long-running battle against tedium. Use these tools, and use them well. 

With many gaming-inclined people stuck indoors, it seems like everyone and their mom has been playing Animal Crossing. The latest iteration of the game, called New Horizons, was released on March 20th for Nintendo Switch. The game's popularity and a world on lockdown has made it almost impossible for anyone to buy the system. It's also made it so the internet is absolutely flush with Animal Crossing memes. And we've got a lot of them right here.  

As we blast into another sad weekend with nothing to do, let's take a minute to enjoy some memes. They're a low-pressure and, at least for right now, low-guilt activity with which to expend ones dullest hours. This assortment of amusing tweets, Tumblr posts, and memes is just the tip of the iceberg. If you find yourself needing more, check out some of our latest meme galleries here and here. Happy scrolling! 

Lockdown's been hard on a lot of people. The monotony often saps any creativity we feel and being cooped up is both physically and emotionally suffocating. We had imagined that the situation at nursing homes was even more dire. The anxiety and depression that afflicts both the most vulnerable and people who are, often naturally, nearing the ends of their lives. 

The folks at Sydmar Lodge Care Home in Middlesex, however, found a fun way to beat the lockdown blues. Instead of moping about, they teamed up with their caregivers to recreate some of the most iconic album covers of all time. The covers, which range from Elvis Presley to the more current Blink-182, are incredibly wholesome - and look like they were a blast to make. 

We don't believe you need excuses to mindlessly scroll through memes. But the fact that it's Saturday and the world seems to be ending seem like damn good reasons to turn your brain off for a while and indulge. And these memes right here should help you do just that. 

Thank goodness for the constant stream of entertainment that comes from the Twitterverse. Sure, perusing Twitter means desperately avoiding smug or cringey political takes and K-pop stans, but sometimes we find gems that are worth it. This gallery is filled with relatable, weird, and clever tweets and memes that are pretty inoffensive. They're a perfect and non-committal break whether you're tired of the monotony or just love pointless tweets. Have at 'em!