My phone pings, it’s a picture message. A meme of a black cat doing something ridiculous, paired with a funny caption. It’s from my mum. She delights in sending me random cat-related posts.
I have a black cat, Gordon, so she often sends me Gordon-esque funnies. It’s her way of saying, “I saw this and thought of you.” She knows I’ll appreciate the humour, and in that small exchange, we share a laugh, even though we’re not together.
If you’ve ever watched a reel (short video) online or stumbled upon a funny picture and immediately thought, “I know exactly who would love this,” before hitting send, then you, like my mum, are doing something termed pebbling.
This small act of digital connection has been likened to penguins gifting pebbles to their mates as a sign of affection. The human version? Sharing memes, TikToks, reels, photos, and tweets. All teeny, tiny tokens of thoughtfulness sent through a screen.
The seemingly random meme you send or receive is actually more meaningful than it might appear. It’s a way of saying, “I’m thinking of you.” A simple gesture that keeps us connected, especially when life feels overwhelmingly busy. Work, kids and responsibilities of life in general means keeping in touch with friends becomes less of a priority, despite the well-intended but rarely fulfilled promises of “We should catch up soon…”
That’s why sending a meme, reel or something that relates to an ‘inside joke’ is such an easy and effective way to check in. There’s no pressure for a long conversation, no need for the standard “How’s things?” or the guilt-ridden “We should get together soon” (when, deep down, you know it probably won’t happen). Instead, it’s a lighthearted moment of connectivity that says, I’m just on the other side of the phone.
I know I said pebbling relates to penguins, but I also like to think of it as pebbles skimming across a lake and the ripples they create. One small meme being the equivalent of skipping a pebble of joy into someone’s day. A simple message can spark a conversation or even rekindle a friendship that had quietly faded into the background. It’s a way to reconnect, to remind someone they’re on your mind, and to give them a little boost. And let’s be honest, it’s not just about them, it feels just as good to send something you know will make a certain someone smile.
So, the next time you come across something online that makes you think of someone special, send it. It might just make their day. And if you receive one, know that it’s more than just a picture on a screen, it’s a small but meaningful reminder that you matter to someone.
Shannon Humphrey is a First Aid for Mental Health Instructor and Wellbeing advocate, find out more about her work at www.pathwaysforpositivity.com
Photo: Shutterstock
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