Haven't we all been there, that moment of utter emotional release where the perfectly poised facade crumbles? Embrace the "ugly cry," for in its raw, unfiltered expression lies a profound authenticity that connects us all.

The "ugly cry" isn't about those delicate, strategically placed tears of a Victorian heroine. It's the uninhibited, messy, snot-filled, and often loud outpouring of emotion that comes from a place of deep vulnerability. While "ugly crying" in its original conception was often relegated to moments of genuine sorrow, its modern interpretation, often manifested in the "ugly cry face," has taken on a life of its own.

Category	Information
Concept Origin	The evolution from somber expression to meme-worthy face.
First documented appearance	Glamour Magazine, 1991, in an article about Hollywood actresses and their on-screen tears.
Related Concepts	Complexes, Shyness, Manicure (the ruined aftermath), Headache (likely caused by the crying), Privacy (desire for).
Physical Action	Burying one's face in one's hands. This can be both a comfort mechanism and a way to hide the face.
Emoji Popularity	The Loudly Crying Face emoji (\ud83d\ude2d) became the most popular emoji on Twitter in March 2021.
GIF Availability	Tenor, a GIF keyboard, provides a wide array of "ugly cry face" and "ugly crying" animated GIFs.
Misogyny	The term "ugly cry" can be viewed as unhelpful, outdated, and surprisingly misogynistic term.
Meme Culture	Crying Kim Kardashian is a popular meme related to the "ugly cry" concept. Meme.am is a related community.

The "ugly cry face" first gained traction in a 1991 issue of Glamour magazine. The article spotlighted Hollywood's "lacrimosal queens," actresses renowned for their ability to elicit tears from audiences. What the article unintentionally captured was the raw, unfiltered emotion that goes beyond the poised, practiced crying seen on screen. It highlighted the real, sometimes unflattering, faces made when truly overcome with emotion.

The act of burying one's face in one's hands becomes almost instinctive during an "ugly cry." It's a physical manifestation of wanting to hide, to retreat from the world while processing intense feelings. If you find yourself in the throes of an uncontrollable sobbing fit, give yourself permission to do just that bury your face, let it all out.

But what happens after the initial deluge of tears? Once the crying begins to subside, and you're left with just the sniffling and residual sobs, it's time to lift your head. This marks a turning point, a step towards regaining composure. The "ugly cry" isn't meant to be a permanent state, but rather a release, a cathartic experience that allows you to move forward.

In the age of digital communication, the "ugly cry" has found a new avenue of expression: the GIF. Platforms like Tenor offer a seemingly endless supply of "ugly crying face" animated GIFs, providing a visual shorthand for conveying a wide range of emotions. These GIFs, far from being solely expressions of sadness, can also be used to communicate overwhelming joy, pride, or even uncontrollable laughter.

The popularity of the "ugly cry" GIF speaks to a deeper truth about our shared human experience. We all have moments when we're overwhelmed, when our emotions spill over, and when we make faces that we wouldn't necessarily want to immortalize. By embracing these moments, by finding humor and relatability in the "ugly cry," we connect with others on a more authentic level.

Consider the rise of the Loudly Crying Face emoji (\ud83d\ude2d). In March 2021, it became the most popular emoji on Twitter, surpassing even the ubiquitous Smiling Face with Tears of Joy. This wasn't just a fleeting trend; it was a reflection of a cultural shift towards greater emotional transparency. People were no longer afraid to express their vulnerability, to show that they were hurting, or that they were simply overwhelmed by the world around them.

Of course, the "ugly cry" isn't always a comfortable experience. It can be messy, embarrassing, and even a little bit frightening. But it's also a necessary part of being human. It's a reminder that we're not robots, that we have emotions, and that it's okay to express them, even if they're not always pretty.

There's a certain freedom in letting go of the need to be perfect, in allowing yourself to fully experience and express your emotions, even if it means making an "ugly cry face." It's a form of self-acceptance, a recognition that you're not always going to be composed and collected, and that's perfectly fine.

The "ugly cry" has even infiltrated the world of sports. Remember the image of Michael Jordan, his face contorted in pain and disappointment, during the 2015 March Madness tournament? That "Jordan crying face" became an instant meme, a symbol of the intense emotions that sports can evoke. It was a reminder that even the most accomplished athletes are still human, capable of feeling crushing defeat.

But let's not forget the potential downsides of the term "ugly cry." Some argue that it's an unhelpful, outdated, and even misogynistic term that perpetuates the idea that women are overly emotional and prone to dramatic displays of tears. There's certainly a valid point to be made about the gendered nature of emotional expression and the societal pressures that women face to suppress their feelings.

Ultimately, the "ugly cry" is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. It's a physical expression of intense emotion, a cultural meme, and a reflection of our evolving attitudes towards vulnerability and authenticity. Whether you embrace it, avoid it, or simply find it amusing, there's no denying that the "ugly cry" has become an integral part of our cultural landscape.

Beyond its cultural impact, the "ugly cry" can also be a powerful tool for self-discovery. By allowing yourself to fully experience your emotions, you can gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters to you. What triggers your tears? What makes you laugh until you cry? What evokes feelings of overwhelming joy or profound sadness?

Exploring these questions can lead to greater self-awareness and a more authentic way of living. It can also help you to develop healthier coping mechanisms for dealing with difficult emotions. Instead of suppressing your feelings, you can learn to embrace them, to process them, and to move forward in a more resilient and empowered way.

So, the next time you feel the urge to "ugly cry," don't resist it. Give yourself permission to let it all out. Bury your face in your hands, sob uncontrollably, and make all the unflattering faces you need to make. Just remember to lift your head up eventually, to wipe away the tears, and to keep moving forward. Because even in the midst of the "ugly cry," there's always the possibility of finding strength, resilience, and a deeper connection to your own humanity.

And if you're looking for a way to lighten the mood, to inject a little humor into your conversations, or simply to express your emotions in a more visually engaging way, don't hesitate to reach for an "ugly cry" GIF. Share the extra good vibes online in just a few clicks now!

The digital age has not only provided us with GIFs, but with face filters that can mimic or enhance the "ugly cry" expression. Explore the ultimate collection of funny face filters online! Transform how you create and share funny moments with funny face effects that change faces to look fat, old, ugly, weird, and more! Surprise your friends and family on social media with our online AI face filters!

Furthermore, stock photo websites offer a plethora of images related to crying, some even specifically tagged as "ugly crying." While the aesthetic value of these images might be debatable, their sheer existence underscores the cultural fascination with this raw and unfiltered expression of emotion. For the first time, get 1 free month of iStock exclusive photos, illustrations, and more.

Finding and saving ideas about "ugly crying face" on Pinterest has become a common practice, indicating a desire to both understand and find humor in this human expression. The online community has embraced the "ugly cry" not only as a meme, but as a shared experience, proving its relatable and enduring power.