When the world seems to be falling apart, there’s nothing more relaxing than watching someone slice a cake with expert precision or make latte art that defies human imagination. A video by Luksan Wunder recently showed what the flip side looks like—and believe me, watching a tomato get squished by a dull knife is the visual equivalent of nails on a chalkboard.
Oddly satisfying photos and videos, on the other hand, take food porn to a new dimension. While there are many definitions of “oddly satisfying,” for the most part it means rare instances of perfection. How often are your vegetables sliced in mathematically perfect squares? Or maybe the better question is how often do you ice cupcakes without thoroughly botching at least a dozen of them?
There’s a reason we feel good when we watch things go right. It’s called mood management theory, and as Indiana University Media School assistant professor Jessica Gall Myrick explained to Refinery29, “It's the idea that genres of media get implicitly associated with certain feelings.” Basically, you start to assign feelings to certain types of media the more you interact with them. And who doesn’t assign feelings of elation with images of a perfect world?
If you need a quick pick-me-up (which, let’s face it, we all do), look no further than these oddly satisfying food Instagrams.
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.