How It Started How Its Going Template

Caroline Mae

2 min read

·

04-01-2025

7

0

Share

The internet loves a good before-and-after, and the "How It Started, How It's Going" meme perfectly encapsulates that love. This wildly popular meme format uses two images side-by-side to showcase a dramatic transformation, often humorous or ironic. But what makes this meme so enduringly popular? Let's dive in.

The Genesis of a Meme

The meme's origins are a bit murky, but it's generally accepted that the format began gaining traction around 2019, quickly spreading across platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Early iterations often focused on personal transformations, showing a progression in fitness, relationships, or even just hairstyles. Think "before" photos of a messy room evolving into a pristine, organized space.

Why It Took Off

The meme's appeal lies in its simplicity and relatability. It’s a visual shorthand for personal growth (or lack thereof), allowing users to share their journeys with a touch of self-deprecating humor. The juxtaposition of the "before" and "after" images creates a comedic effect, often highlighting the unexpected twists and turns life throws our way. It’s a universal experience: we all have stories of humble beginnings, and many of us find humor in the contrast between our aspirations and realities.

Beyond Personal Transformations

While personal growth is a popular theme, the "How It Started, How It's Going" meme has expanded beyond individual journeys. It's now used to showcase:

• Product Transformations: Before-and-after photos of DIY projects, home renovations, or even just a successful cake bake.
• Social Commentary: Using the meme to highlight societal changes or political developments, though this application often involves more nuance and critical interpretation.
• Fictional Characters: Fans use the format to highlight the evolution of their favorite characters across seasons of a TV show or throughout a book series.

The Meme's Enduring Power

What initially started as a simple image format has evolved into a versatile storytelling tool. The meme's adaptability allows users to tailor it to countless scenarios, making it a perpetually relevant and evolving form of online expression. Its enduring popularity is a testament to our shared human experience of change, growth, and the humor we often find in the unexpected turns along the way. As long as life continues to offer us unexpected "before" and "after" moments, this meme will likely remain a staple of the internet's humorous landscape.