Instagram Year in Review: How Memes Were the Mood of 2020

December 10, 2020

2020. I mean where to begin? But also, can it just be over already?

The world threw so much at us this year, from a global pandemic and a worldwide racial reckoning to a fight for social justice and more…

While our social lives moved to video chats and livestreams in our living rooms, there is one thing that brought us together even if we couldn’t be together physically…memes.

Over 1 million posts mentioning “meme” are shared to Instagram each day. From memes that made us LOL and went straight into the group DM to the memes that made us feel seen and let us know we were all in this together – this year, more than ever before, memes kept us sane and helped us cope when we were six feet apart or more.

So this year, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite memes of 2020.

Here’s to 2021…well, maybe?

‘Get you a woman that can do it all’

Days after her 74th birthday, our favorite ‘9 to 5’ heroine, Dolly Parton, took to Instagram to show us that she’s a woman that can do it all, posting a meme of her different social media looks – kicking off a year of #challenges for all to enjoy.

‘The last detail is really important, a good martini glass’

Even though it felt like time was standing still – pop culture content did not stop. Celebs created hectic, meme-able moments for us all to obsess over.

‘I hope this email finds you well’

Sometimes when it comes to memes, there is no reason why – it’s just funny.

My Plans vs. 2020

While 2020 didn’t quite go as we planned…moments of humor shined through the darkness this year. Of course, the internet had to make light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’re thankful that it did.

There are 48 hours in a day and we thought about memes for, like, 46 of those hours

We laughed, we cringed, we binged Tiger King. Here are all the primetime memes we couldn’t live without.

‘I am once again asking you’

This election year was a trip – peaking with the slowest burn election WEEK in November. Luckily, meme creators chronicled the ups and downs.

‘More than a moment’ Black Lives Matter

Social media and activism have taken on meme-like formats as #BLM protests take over the streets and the internet. Creators used their platforms to educate on social movements and continue to fight for positive change in the world.

What a year 2020 turned out to be. Technically it isn’t over (even if mentally we are all ready for a fresh start). We’re grateful for our thriving community and look forward to more memes in 2021.