How can I create a "Pretending To Be Happy, Hiding Crying" Meme Template meme?

You can use our free "Pretending To Be Happy, Hiding Crying" Meme Template meme generator. Just upload the template or use our existing one, add your custom text, and download.

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"Pretending To Be Happy, Hiding Crying" Meme Template Meme Generator

crying behind mask meme

A stick figure drawing showing a person holding up a large smiling face mask in front of their face to hide their sadness. The actual person has tears streaming down their face showing genuine emotional pain underneath the false happy expression.

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What is the "Pretending To Be Happy, Hiding Crying" Meme Template meme?

Pretending To Be Happy, Hiding Crying Behind A Mask (also called Crying Wojak Mask) is a stick-figure meme showing a person holding a smiling face mask over their tear-streaked face. It visualizes performing happiness while struggling internally - a relatable image for depression, burnout, and social pressure to seem fine.

Origin & History

The image is a variation of the Wojak / Feels Guy meme family - a simple stick-figure character associated with internet melancholy since the late 2000s. The 'smile mask over crying face' variant emerged around 2016 on boards like 4chan's /r9k/, building on earlier Crying Wojak edits from the mid-2010s.

It spread to Reddit and Twitter as a symbol for emotional masking - performing confidence or cheerfulness while suffering privately. The meme resonated during conversations about mental health, workplace burnout, and the pressure to curate a happy persona on social media.

How to Use / Use Cases

Expressing that you are not okay despite saying you are fine
Discussing depression or anxiety with dark humor
Commenting on workplace pressure to always appear upbeat
Reacting to faking enthusiasm at a social event
Sharing the gap between your public persona and private feelings

Use our free "Pretending To Be Happy, Hiding Crying" Meme Template Meme Generator to create custom memes. You can add text, resize, and customize the font. Perfect for sharing on Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, and Discord.