Internet Cheers Eight Uplifting Moments From 2025

In a year of relentless algorithmic churn and doomscroll fatigue, the internet still made room for joy. From surprise adoptions to community-driven kindness, eight standout moments rose above the noise and reminded millions that, while at times toxic, the web can still be a place for connection. As the Reuters Institute and Pew Research Center have observed, audiences are turning more and more to inspiring human interest stories — these are the ones they couldn’t get enough of.

A Small Axolotl Song Became International Comfort

It all began with a mere earworm: a TikTok by @doctor_waffle, celebrating an axolotl. (Originally created for kids, the melody’s gentle repetition and adorableness of baby animals gradually morphed into a mass ritualistic soothing device for beleaguered timelines.) Greasy deejays regularly espouse the calming, relaxing powers of predictable rhythm: the axolotl ditty was exactly this, in a nibble-size loop people read and reread until stupid.

A Coffee Shop Was Lifted by Its Community

When Rachel Rose of Buddies Coffee Roasters posted a tearful video about losing her Williamsburg coffee bar, the response was instant. Neighbors and strangers were waiting around the block; even Joe Jonas stopped by. The lease expired anyway, but the outpouring turned a grim farewell into a tide-turner — proof that local commerce can find fresh ground with online community assistance.

Colman Domingo’s Craigslist Meet-Cute Melted Feeds

In chatter about awards, actor Colman Domingo told of finding the love of his life through a Craigslist Missed Connection. The revelation was a reason to remember that the most analog crannies of the internet have always had magic. Relationship researchers often observe that love narratives today are increasingly multiplatform; this one, improbably, began as old-school classifieds and resulted in a lifelong partnership spanning nearly 40 years.

A Yankee’s Burrito Ratings Unite Rival Fans

New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells has made a season on the road feel more like an enjoyable side quest: rating breakfast burritos from ballparks and nearby restaurants. The most delightful turn was that his highest score went to a Mets clubhouse burrito — with nods from opposing fans. The series was amplified by MLB beat writers and team accounts, and for once the discourse didn’t sound like eggs, tortillas and raw enthusiasm.

A Foster Dog Named Tiki Healed in Public

A rescue with visible scars, Tiki’s timid side was documented by TikTok creator Isabel Klee, known as @SimonSits. Over the weeks, the dog’s transition from flinches to tail wags played out in short updates that found a loyal, protective audience. (Animal welfare groups love to tout the adoption power of storytelling; here was that principle in action, resulting in Tiki finding his forever home.)

A Niece’s Freestyle Turned Into a Summer Anthem

@day1keenan pressed record so his niece could sing — and she contributed a hook so contagious that it spread on TikTok to the tune of over 60 million views. Producers weaved in remixes, families recorded car-ride duets, and creators marveled at her pitch and presence. It was a masterclass in how untamed talent travels online with no marketing plan or label strategy.

A Subway Kitten Commuted Into a New Life

The video of a tiny kitten confidently jumping onto a New York City subway platform had all the beats: city chaos, soft hearts and a perfect ending. The stray, which was picked up by the commuter who discovered her, was adopted and named Emmie — a nod to the MTA. Urban rescuer groups frequently say that there is no time like the present for strays, and this clip proved once again how a chance meeting can rewrite a life.

Pop-Up Pantries Demonstrated Best of Mutual Aid

When SNAP benefits came under threat amid a government funding impasse, neighbors set up pop-up food tables throughout the city. One viral moment involved AJ Owen (@ajpgh412), whose family-operated pantry was recently visited by an anonymous donor armed with a stack of cash to help them keep their shelves full. Hunger organizations like Feeding America have documented how local, informal networks step in when systems wobble — this wave of mutual aid was a real-time experiment.

Why These Moments Resonate Across the Internet

Across the board, these stories thrived because they provided low-stakes pleasure, clear emotion and real outcomes: a business supported; a pet taken in; a child honored; neighbors fed. Even today, when the public is becoming more skeptical of overly buffed content, authenticity still scales. And although platforms will continue to change algorithms, the desire for minor, human wins appears fairly consistent.