A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through Instagram after a particularly stressful day. Work had been demanding, network was at its worse, customers had tested my patience, and my energy level was somewhere between "running on fumes" and "please don't talk to me."
Then my younger sister sent me a meme.
It was one of those classic Nigerian memes featuring a man "Aki" looking completely defeated, with the caption: "When NEPA takes light five minutes after you finally decided to iron your clothes."
I laughed harder than I probably should have.
The funny thing was that the meme didn't solve any of my problems. The fatigue was still there. The workload hadn't disappeared. The electricity situation hadn't magically improved. Yet somehow, seeing a shared experience turned into comedy made me feel lighter.
Seeing this prompt just reminded me of the encounter and it got me thinking about the role memes, GIFs and stickers play in our digital lives.
If someone had told me years ago that a random picture with text on it could become a universal language, I would have laughed. Yet here we are. Today, a single meme can communicate frustration, excitement, disappointment, confusion, or pure joy faster than a three-paragraph explanation ever could.
In fact, some conversations among friends are now conducted almost entirely through memes and GIFs. In my own case I use stickers which we could substitute for GIFS. You could tell your friend you're coming in five minutes when you're still at home. They reply with a suspicious-looking GIF.
You say you're starting a new saving regime. Someone sends a meme that says, "We'll be monitoring the situation." You announce a big plan. A friend responds with a sticker of someone clapping dramatically.
No further explanation is needed and it helps the person imagine you doing it. Everyone understands.
I honestly think memes and GIFs have made the internet a better place. They create moments of connection between people who may never meet.
They also make difficult situations easier to discuss. Sometimes humor helps us process experiences that would otherwise feel overwhelming. A well-timed meme can make people feel seen in a way that formal words often cannot.
Like I use my stickers on Whatsapp to diffuse situations so much that there's no way I'd chat with you and not use them. I have a sticker for every situation.
Now imagine a world without memes, GIFs and Stickers. Haaa! I don't even want to imagine it. Social media would feel strangely empty. Every joke would need a full explanation. Every reaction would require typing an entire sentence. Group chats would become long essays instead of quick exchanges.
Instead of sending a GIF that perfectly captures your reaction, you would have to write, "I am currently expressing shock and disbelief regarding this information."
Can you imagine how exhausting that would be?
Like every tool on the internet, they have their downsides. But overall, I believe their contribution far outweighs the negatives.
At this point, memes, GIFs and stickers are no longer just internet extras. They have become part of online culture itself. They help us laugh, connect, communicate, and occasionally survive the chaos of everyday life.
And if we're being realistic, a world without memes would probably be a much quieter place but definitely a less entertaining one.
Image credits are Mine
