The Brief: An illustration of a man with a knife threatening another man is being used by internet users to depict situations in which they typically feel anxious, stressed, or fearful of an impending danger.

Bluesquiggle
DEEP DIVE

The “Me Trying To” meme consists of an illustration of a man brandishing a knife at another man. This meme is growing in popularity and is being used by internet users to depict situations in which they feel anxious, stressed, or fearful of an impending danger. The image is from wikiHow’s page on “How To Beat A ‘Tough’ Person In A Fight.”

Typically, the man with a knife represents a threat and the man with his hands up represents the person who made the meme.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by f (@memetides)

Here’s one for gamers.

Another, for those who have weak bladders.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shitheadsteve (@shitheadsteve)

And, those trying to repress embarrassing moments.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by WORST (@worstigaccount)

The meme has also come to represent the latest controversial current event, like California’s governor lifting stay-at-home orders despite very few residents having been vaccinated.

This meme has circulated the web before featuring with text that read “Me, Still Processing.”

Still processing my 2016 problems from memes

That version went viral on Twitter in November 2020 after it was shared in anticipation of 2021.

There’s also this rendition which served as a reminder of when the World Health Organization first declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home orders were put into effect.

it’s felt like march all year from tumblr

This format is similar to two different “Me, Still Processing 2018” memes which feature Joaquin Phoenix in The Joker and another with professional wrestlers, respectively.