Emotions are a complex thing. Anyone would say that sadness feels bad, and laughing feels good. But the human psyche is so much more complicated than that, and things are never just black and white.

So in order to see how that works in practice, we’re diving into a collection of posts that will simultaneously crack a smile, and leave you pretty sad. And thanks to the corner of Reddit “Funny And Sad,” which is home to 726k members, there’s a lot to choose from!

Get ready for a very nuanced experience of internet consumption where jokes meet tough reality, and where the reality is not always funny. After you’re done, be sure to check out part 1 of the post right here.

#1 Why On Earth !?

Image credits: DeaconBlues0

#2 Poor Mom

Image credits: jamesthetang

#3 The Most United States Thing To Say About The United States Ever

Image credits: mhdksafa

Previously, we spoke with Dr. Lise Deguire, a clinical psychologist and the author of “Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience From a Burn Survivor” who said that occasional sadness is a normal part of life.“Happiness and sadness are both normal feelings that naturally arise through life's inevitable ups and downs. When people are numb to their feelings, or try to avoid feelings altogether, they won't experience sadness, but they won't experience much happiness either,” she explained.

However, some people may be more susceptible to sad emotions than others. This may be due to many reasons, but previous experiences, genetics, and mindsets are largely to blame. “This can be partly genetic and partly due to negative life experiences. Mindset is also a factor,” Lisa told us.

“People who tend to be pessimistic, who dwell on the future anxiously, and who ruminate negatively about the past can experience more sadness. However, these are cognitive bad habits that can really be helped by psychotherapy.”

#4 Sounds About Right

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#5 Unfortunate Truth

Image credits: GoodPoliticGuy

#6 I Couldn’t Help But Laugh

Image credits: blackster82

But most of the posts in this article have to do with the fact that they make a point which is presented in a funny way but is in itself not that funny. Quite on the contrary, many examples present cases of what could be called “a hard truth” which is, as we know very well, a pretty hard thing to swallow.

In a previous interview, Susan Petang, a certified life coach who runs The Quiet Zone Coaching, told Bored Panda that if the truth is something we don’t agree with, it will be uncomfortable to hear it because it all has to do with our core beliefs and values, and the way we view the world.

“When what we believe to be true about ourselves, situations, other people, or the world in general is at odds with what we observe, the result is cognitive dissonance—when our beliefs and our observations are at odds. This can cause considerable stress,” she explained.

#7 Too Soon?

Image credits: Clau_9

#8 When They Tell You To Work Hard To Be Rich

Image credits: BobGolen

#9 What A Bunch Of Sheep

Image credits: Active-Ad-233

On the other hand, when we talk about truth, we have to be aware of the fact that it’s really a question of perception. Unless it’s a stated, scientifically-backed up fact, or a law of nature, all truths can be challenged. “So, what I have experienced as 'truth' may not be what you have experienced as 'truth.' For example, one could say that the truth is that water boils at 212 degrees. Or does it? If you use the metric system, water boils at 100 degrees,” Susan said.