Whether I’m texting a friend or navigating a work group chat, it is absolutely crucial that I pick the most appropriately flamboyant GIF to convey exactly how much I cannot even in that moment. Here’s a list of my top ten favorite and most frequently used GIFs:

10. Michael Scott Putting on a “Brave Face”

The number of The Office GIFs I use is honestly a little concerning. But this one? An all-time classic. It’s one of the greatest faces any character has ever made. I use this GIF when I’m trying my hardest not to say what I really want to say. Something’s definitely off, but luckily, you’d never know it because I’m “putting on my brave face.”

9. Chapelle’s Show: “Cause Fuck ‘Em!”

If I had a catchphrase, it would probably be this. Don’t worry – it’s not in a “fuck ’em, I got mine” kind of way. It’s more of a “Okay, I’m finally going to do the hard thing and push through my paralyzing people-pleasing tendencies, so here’s a little joke to soften the blow” kind of way. Also, Chappelle’s Show is an absolute masterpiece, so anytime I get the chance to reference it, you better believe I will.

8. Spongebob’s “Finger Guns”

I gotta give you information? Finger guns. Got a question? Finger guns. Need something? Finger guns. Your sister drowned? Finger guns. Always finger guns.

7. RuPaul at the Theatre

What’s the tea, honeybee?! OKURRRR!! If you know me, you know I’m one of the biggest RuPaul’s Drag Race fans in the world. I’ve been here since middle school – since Season TWO, bitches. I ain’t no bandwagoner! I use this GIF anytime there’s drama or someone’s about to put on a REAL show. With this GIF, you know I’m here for all of it, henny!

6. Eric Andre: So Controversial, So Brave.

We all have a hot take. Few are good; most are stupid. Enter this GIF – for all our deeply stupid quips and ill-advised ideas, it’s the perfect reaction.

5. Quby Booty Rubs

As soon as I found out these little characters were called “Quby,” they became my favorite thing ever. There are so many of these GIFs, but I’m particularly fond of how much these two love their booty rubs. The simple animation, the cute little faces, the sheer joy of booty – chef’s kiss.

4. Furious Pepe

There’s only one way to truly express all of my internal screaming, and it’s this GIF. I’ve never found a better way to fully encapsulate the sheer rage of a situation I can’t let out. Go ahead, try to find a better one – you can’t.

3. A Wall of Annoyed Emojis

I am a person of explicit and expressive emotion. If you’re annoying me, you don’t deserve just one emoji – you deserve an infinite wall of disapproving emojis. Do better!

2. Plankton’s “Correct!”

I’ll take GIFs you can hear for 500, Alex! Band Geeks is unequivocally the greatest episode of SpongeBob ever, and if you disagree, you’re wrong. My older brother and I almost exclusively use this GIF to communicate with each other because we’re both the same specific brand of unhinged stupidity.

1. “This is Fine”

The crème de la crème – this. Fucking. GIF! I can’t think of a GIF my phone has seen more. Since 2016, the never-ending shitshow that is life has been perfectly encapsulated by this dog sitting in a burning room, radiating full sarcastic denial.

When I die, I want this GIF projected onto my headstone 24/7/365. You heard it here first, and I’m counting on you!

GIFs to Live and Die By

And there you have it – ten GIFS that capture the hilarious, chaotic, existential dread of my day-to-day communication. When the world ends, at least we can look back at this time and know we had the absolute best coping mechanism for expressing the crushing weight of our existence!

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• Featured image source – https://sarahcandersen.com/
• GIFs sourced from https://tenor.com/