Relatable Reels: Are They the New Way Brits Say I Am Struggling?
Six in ten Brits relate to posts about struggling, but many still say they are fine.
If you have scrolled through Instagram or TikTok lately, you have almost certainly seen one: a carousel showing a messy kitchen counter, a half-eaten ready meal and a caption about being single in your thirties, or a deadpan video about the quiet weight of routine. Relatable reels have become a way of sharing how we really feel.
The "I am fine" habit
New data from Bupa suggests 51% of UK adults routinely tell friends and family they are fine when they are struggling. 34% stay quiet to avoid worrying others, 30% fear becoming a burden, and 49% have typed an honest message and then deleted it before sending.
Why relatable posts land
The same research found 59% of Brits have seen a post and thought that is exactly how I feel, and 19% regularly use memes or GIFs to share their mood. Humour makes honesty feel safer. Sharing a post into a group chat can be a low-stakes way to say this is how my brain feels today.
Reading between the reels
Bupa has teamed up with comedian Sara Pascoe on a Read Between the Reels initiative ahead of World Mental Health Day. The message is simple: a joke can be a clue.
How to check in on someone
- Reply privately rather than just liking the post.
- Ask an open question, such as how are you really doing?
- Listen without rushing to fix things.
- Follow up a few days later.
If it is you
Say it out loud to one person you trust, even if it feels clumsy. If you need to talk, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time, or speak to your GP.
Shared humour can be a lifeline. A real conversation can be even better.
Looking for more? Read our guides to an autumn wellbeing reset, spending time in nature, or head back to the Brew and Browse home page.
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