‘Probably Needed A Hug' Trends On TikTok. Here's What It Shows
People have been posting videos on TikTok using the catchphrase 'probably needed a hug' to show ... More times when they probably needed said hug but instead ended up getting or doing something else. (Photo: Getty)
In the 1998 movie The Wedding Singer, one of the characters Sammy explained, 'What I'm saying is all I really want is someone to hold me and tell me that everything is going to be all right.' Well, there's a TikTok trend and hashtag, #probablyneededahug, that's sort of in line with that. People have been posting videos using the catchphrase 'probably needed a hug' to show times when they probably needed said hug but instead ended up getting or doing something else. Many of these video posts have Adele's "Hometown Glory" blaring as background music and do highlight the glory of the warm embrace. They also do shed some more light on how people are doing in their hometowns and everywhere else these days.
The hug replacements in the TikTok videos do range from the simple to the sensitive to the satirical to the sarcastic. Some of the videos have showcased stuff that people are doing to bring themselves comfort and joy like traveling, dancing, running or shopping, the last of which should make many businesses smile. For example, it looks like @amayacrichton got something to 'matcha' her mood, so to speak, here:
From TikTok
Another example from @theogsnail was very bunny:
From TikTok
Alternatively, there were those hug-alternatives that seemed to bring some 'pressions,' not impressions but more like suppression or repression of what people really wanted. For example, @fiftyshadesofmomlife stated that she probably needed a hug 'but put on fake smile instead and continued pretending I was OK,' here:
From TikTok
Others followed the 'probably needed a hug' catchphrase with things like 'detached and learnt to never need someone else instead' and 'doesn't like talking about her feelings so always pretends that everything is OK.'
This just in: people tend to like hugs. That's as long as it isn't a bear hug to keep them away from their smartphones. Hugs can make you feel closer to someone else. After all, you you kind of have to be in close physical proximity to hug each other unless it is one of those fake 'air hugs.' Plus, when you hug someone, you tend to do so in an affectionate manner with other accompanying signs of affection, rather than saying, 'I am going to knock all your teeth out as soon as we are done this hug.'
Moreover, studies have shown hugs to be associated with increased levels of oxytocin, the so-called 'cuddle hormone,' in your blood. Oxytocin is a chemical messenger that originates in your hypothalamus and remains stored in your posterior pituitary gland, until it is ready to be released into your bloodstream. Since your hypothalamus and pituitary gland are located in your head in your brain and oxytocin is also one of the so-called 'happiness hormones,' it can be accurate in a way to say that happiness is all in your head.
Oxytocin can play a range of different roles in your body. For example, it can help your uterus contract during labor and childbirth and your breasts produce milk. But that doesn't mean that you have to have a baby to benefit from the secretion of oxytocin. This chemical messenger seems to play a key role in the whole recognition-trust-bonding-attachment thing. For example, a study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology found new lovers tended to have higher blood oxytocin levels than singles. Moreover, oxytocin levels were higher among those in relationships with higher versus lower amounts of affection and reciprocity. Other studies have shown that higher oxytocin levels correlate with drops in blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine.
There are also studies that have shown how hugs can be protective against things like fear, pain and illness. For example, a study published in the journal Psychological Science found that people who reported getting more hugs were less likely to have had upper respiratory illnesses. Now, this doesn't mean that you should replace vaccinations and hand-washing with hugs. But it does suggest that one's susceptibility to infection could be associated in some way with social support or the lack thereof.
With all of the above, the question then is how many people these days are actually getting all the hugs that they want or need. I've written in Forbes in 2018 and again in 2023 about how loneliness has been a major, growing and under-addressed problem since the 1980s. When he was the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy. MD, MBA, published in May 2022 a report entitled, 'Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community' The report provided a lot of evidence that people are feeling less and less socially connected with others nowadays. And in this case, socially connected doesn't refer to the number of followers you have on social media or the number of likes that the post of you dropping heavy items on your foot got on TikTok.
This may be leaving a lot of people wanting true real-life social connection but then having to suppress or repress that desire because they feel like only skeletons are around, with 'no-body' around to hug, so to speak. Suppression is when you consciously bury a desire, feeling or need. Repression is when you unconsciously do so. Both are not great ways to proceed in the long run. Burying your true feelings can be like having your cat do your taxes. Sure, your cat may look rather nonchalant about it. But who knows what problems may emerge in the future.
So, while the 'probably needed a hug' trend might be offering some interesting and neat things to do for fun and entertainment, many of these cannot truly replace genuine human connection like a hug.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The £100,000 facelift that's knocked years off Kris Jenner at 69
Everybody loves a transformation story. Had Grease been written in 2025, however, Olivia Newton John would have had to do a lot more than shuck on a biker jacket and a pair of Spandex trousers to make an impact. In a world where billions are vying for attention by ever more desperate means, transformations are two a penny. These days, no diet, makeover or wardrobe glow-up in the world can compete with the impact of a really good facelift. We all know Ozempic can make us thin, and that a stylist can help us dress better. But turning back the years to look 10 years younger? That's still a mystery; a cloak-and-dagger affair whose dark magic occurs behind closed doors, by unknown hands, at unknown cost, with unknown pain and recovery time. Which is likely why so many women can talk of little else these days than Kris Jenner. From the cruise shows of Avignon and Rome to the restaurants of Mayfair to the beach bars of Ibiza, the chat is the same: how, exactly, did the 69-year-old matriarch of the Kardashian clan get her dewy, youthful, plump-yet-taut new visage? And where can we get one? While most women might buy some new clothes to wear to a hen weekend, Kris Jenner went out and bought a new face. When the hen weekend is thrown by Jeff Bezos' soon-to-be-bride Lauren Sanchez, and takes place in Paris, perhaps a Me+Em dress doesn't cut it. No matter that Sanchez, Katy Perry, Eva Longoria and Kim Kardashian were dressed up in their finest garb: they may as well have worn Shein. All eyes were fixated upon Jenner. 'She looks just like Kim!' the internet exclaimed. Which she did – despite being a quarter of a century older. On Tiktok, the hashtag #krisjennernewface has been trending ever since Jenner unveiled her new look, with 57.5 million posts and counting. How-to videos abound, with everyone from surgeons to influencers to your auntie Karen chipping in with their opinions. 'She looks like she's fresh out of the womb,' says the influencer GK Barry, in a post that's had 468.9K views. 'What kind of freaky sorcery is this?' says another user. 'Who is this surgeon, because they are an artist.' The 'artist' in question is Dr Steven Levine, the New York-based surgeon beloved by A-listers for his natural-looking facial enhancements. In a statement shared by Page Six, Levine's representatives confirmed him as the surgeon behind Jenner's most recent work, though they didn't give further details about the procedures. Which hasn't stopped people from speculating. While most celebrities are understandably tight-lipped about the work they've had done, Jenner has previously been open about going under the knife, with one of her procedures even being documented on an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. It's believed that this is Jenner's fifth surgery: as for what she's had done, that depends on who you ask. 'To achieve this sort of transformation in someone who is in their late 60s would likely require a deep plane face and neck lift, blepharoplasty and fat grafting to address lower face jowling and laxity in the neck area,' claims Dr Jonny Betteridge, founder of JB Aesthetics in Mayfair, London. 'This is likely revision surgery, as she would have had surgery in previous years.' According to leading plastic surgeon Patrick Mallucci, Jenner's rejuvenated face has made an impact on account of being unusually well-balanced. 'Looking at her before and after pictures, it appears she's had a brow lift, possibly her upper eyelids operated on, and a very well-done facelift, possibly a deep plane, though it's very difficult to tell the technique by looking at a picture,' he surmises. 'When you look at the thirds of her face – the upper, middle and lower – she's got a very nice, balanced jawline. Unlike some of the facelifts of 20 years ago, where people looked very obviously overpulled and overtightened, this really brings out her good features.' Mallucci's clinic in South Kensington, London, has seen a 30 per cent increase in facelift enquiries over the last five years, as the stigma of 'going under the knife' wanes, and procedures improve in terms of results and recovery time. 'While non-surgical treatments can complement face lifting and stave off the knife until later, ultimately there comes a time when only a facelift can truly rejuvenate an ageing face requiring anatomical improvement,' he says. The 'Rolls Royce' of these is the deep plane. Where a traditional facelift tightens the skin, a deep plane lifts and repositions deeper layers of facial tissue, including sagging muscles and fat, allowing for more natural-looking results which are also longer-lasting. A traditional facelift typically lasts five to seven years: a deep plane can last for up to fifteen. Their subtle results have made 'guess the deep plane' the internet's favourite parlour game, with Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway and Lindsey Lohan all recently being cited as allegedly having had the procedure, though this is pure speculation. For her part, Lohan says her appearance is thanks to a healthy diet and laser treatments. Celebrities who have admitted to having deep plane facelifts include the socialite Caroline Stanbury (who had hers aged 49) and the designer Marc Jacobs (who had his at 58). 'There is no such thing as an ideal age for a deep plane facelift, but over the age of 40-45 would generally make a great candidate,' notes the consultant plastic surgeon Mark Solomos. 'You can actually do a deep plane endoscopic facelift at the age of 35 without any obvious scars in front of the ear.' Nor does any previous work tend to be a barrier. 'The only things that would matter would be treatments such as Sculptra. Hyaluronic fillers don't matter too much unless you've overdone it, likewise excessive radio frequency, which tends to burn the fat and creates problems in the subcutaneous tissue.' As for whether 'the Kris effect' means surgeons should now be braced for a wave of clients wanting to look not 10 but 30 years younger than their age, Dr Mallucci believes that managing expectations is key. 'It's very important that I understand what it is that my patients are looking for, but it's equally important that I communicate to them what's realistically achievable. Promising results which are not surgically achievable serves no purpose and only causes disappointment.' And also a depleted bank balance. While a deep plane facelift typically costs between £25,000 – £60,000, it's estimated that the bill for Kris Jenner's work cost in the region of £100,000. Small change for the world's most successful 'momager', but a prohibitively eye-watering amount for most. When your life is lived through a long lens, in the pressure cooker that is Hollywood, it takes more than 'lots of water' to look your best. For better or for worse, the six figure facelift era starts here. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Kesha Faces Backlash For Using Banana as Prop During Mighty Hoopla
became the center of attention recently after her banana incident at the Mighty Hoopla Festival. The event took place in London on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Apart from Kesha, many other singers like Ciara, Loreen, Erika Jayne, and many more headlined the festival. Following her performance, many fans took to social media to call her out. So, here's everything to know about what happened with Kesha and how fans have reacted to the same. The 'TiK ToK' singer's fans recently took over social media to take a jibe at her for her recent performance at the Mighty Hoopla Pop Music Festival. As she headlined the show and took to the stage, she began performing her song, 'Boy Crazy.' It was recently released on May 16, 2025. However, what caught the attention of fans and sparked outrage was a banana moment during the performance. During the performance, Kesha chewed on a banana that was held by one of her male backup dancers. The singer crawled on her four limbs to reach the fruit and carry out the act. This caused an uproar on the internet, as even the 'Blah Blah Blah' singer's fans called her out for doing such a stunt in front of a massive crowd. Additionally, the clip of the R-rated use of the fruit immediately went viral across the internet. A fan conveyed their disappointment and wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'I'm so disappointed in my fave why would she do this.' Another user stated, 'I literally threw up seeing this.' Meanwhile, a third user named @xcxsuspended3 commented, 'She is so gross.' Moreover, another user named @SamEdwa27753563 wrote, 'This was the only song I liked among the songs she released recently, and after watching this performance, I hate the song now. Wtf was she doing? A DULL performer.' Despite all the criticism of her performance at the Mighty Hoopla festival, Kesha has not yet made any statement on the same. Originally reported by Ishita Verma on The post Kesha Faces Backlash For Using Banana as Prop During Mighty Hoopla appeared first on Mandatory.
Refinery29
an hour ago
- Refinery29
I Got 'Moonlight' Hair — Winter's Answer To Balayage
In recent months, my long brunette hair has looked frazzled, lifeless and one-dimensional. This isn't surprising considering it's been over five years since my last balayage appointment and seven months since it was cut. It's fair to say that I was long overdue a refresh, and with the seasons changing, it seemed like the perfect time to trawl TikTok and Pinterest for inspiration. Among the abundance of bold copper shades and brooding cherry hues, one trending hair colour stood out to me — not least because of its unusual name. Enter: 'moonlighting'. The moonlight hair technique — a speedy spin on traditional highlights or balayage — has gone so viral on TikTok that it has amassed tens of millions of views and climbing. In those videos, colourists appear to brush the hair back and hand-paint specific areas (such as the front and side sections underneath the hair) with bleach. Essentially, anywhere the light catches. The result? Imagine your natural hair colour bathed in the incandescent glow of a super moon. @anilmermerofficial How did you like the moonlight technique we recommended for hair that has not been dyed before? ⭐️ . . . #hair #explore #balayage #brushlight #themoonlyhairpalace ♬ original sound - overlays To me, it's a brighter nod to the 'candlelit brunette' or ' expensive brunette ' shades that recently took over top London salons. Some liken it to 'glow lights', whereby bleach is applied strategically to illuminate very specific strands of hair. Asking around, I learned that colourists are also describing the technique as 'vibrant brushlights'. This appealed to me because it seemed to be an easy way to revive my lacklustre lengths while adding depth and shape in a natural way. What is the 'moonlighting' hair colour technique — and how does it differ from balayage? Keen to give the moonlight hair colour trend a go, I headed along to Hershesons in Fitzrovia, where I quickly learned that the trending technique is not all it seems. While the countless viral videos appear to show colourists mastering freehand balayage with a simple brushstroke here and there, Hershesons expert colourist John Alfred revealed that the moonlighting technique is likely all 'smoke and mirrors'. To my surprise, he branded it 'fake balayage'. On closer inspection, Alfred noted that the 'bleach' applied in the videos resembles hair mousse and suggested that genuine hand-painted balayage requires precise — rather than haphazard — application. This is time-consuming, unlike the rapid application demonstrated in the trending videos. Crucially, Alfred warned that bleaching the hair in this way (without foils or toner) would likely turn those dyed sections orange, particularly on dark hair like mine. It simply wouldn't lift the colour enough to achieve the bright, cool gradient that the videos lead viewers to believe. While the viral moonlight hair colour technique might all be for views, the lightened results are undeniably chic. Unlike the buttery balayage that has swayed so many of us lately, the moonlight hair colour trend is intended to be a brighter and low-maintenance shade that's suitable for all hair types, lengths and shades. That said, Alfred believes it's most effective on darker hair for a visible lift, and on layered lengths for extra dimension. It's so speedy that he has coined it the 'balayage lunch lift'. A previous full balayage session would last over five hours, but Alfred assured me that this lift would take a fraction of the time. He used FastFoils, which feature an endothermic coating that absorbs surrounding heat to activate dye quickly and evenly. This creates a brighter colour lift faster than traditional hand-painted balayage. I have a limited selection of hairstyles on rotation, which includes alternating between a centre and side parting, so achieving a seamless blend, regardless of my hairstyle, was key. Alfred applied bleach in a halo shape around the crown (under the top layer of my hair) as well as on the underside so that the moonlit segments would glimmer underneath and shine through my darker strands. This also meant that if I wanted to flip my hair over to the side, those dazzling strands would be front and centre. He targeted specific sections of hair on the top and within my fringe to create the face-framing element of the moonlight style, avoiding the roots to ensure that my hair remained low-maintenance as it grew out. What's more, keeping the roots the same adds extra dimension throughout the balayage, according to Alfred. The last step was a bespoke toner for my mid-lengths and ends. The benefit here was to draw out the various cool shades in my hair. How should you ask your colourist for moonlit hair? To achieve the moonlight hair colour, there are a few noteworthy buzzwords. Alfred suggested requesting 'partial balayage' or 'flash highlights' instead of a full head of balayage. Placement is crucial, too. He suggested asking for light accents and 'face-framing features' on the sides (and fringe if you have one), as well as in a 'halo shape' around the crown of your head — but avoiding the roots. Alfred also mentioned that 'closed balayage', which requires foils instead of freehand application like the videos, provides a higher level of lift — and is far better on darker hair. With all of this advice in mind, the moonlight finish is categorised by cool, bright and icy tones among more natural mocha and honey shades. After the revelation that the viral moonlight technique was, in fact, flawed, Alfred adjusted the approach to achieve the same luminescent effect. Alongside Hershesons hairstylist Samuel Broadbent, he considered the best cool tones for the highlights to achieve a moon-bathed finish, and to suit my complexion. Then we moved onto the placement and cut. What's the moonlight hair colour like IRL? Colour completed, it was time for Broadbent to work his haircutting magic. He advised combining the moonlight colour with a textured haircut for extra dimension, which aligned perfectly with my inspiration: Daisy Edgar-Jones' boho hairstyle. Broadbent trimmed my grown-out fringe to cheekbone length, cut soft layers throughout the body of my hair and feathered the front pieces. He then dried it using a blowdryer and loosely curled with a thin wand. He finished the look with a spritz of Living Proof Dry Volume and Texture Spray, $70, for an effortless, tousled wave. It's safe to say that the Hershesons team's rendition of the moonlight technique is versatile and quicker than other balayage methods I have experienced. The moonlit accents pop when light is shone onto my hair, and combined with the timeless soft layers, the highlights — or moonlights, as I'm now calling them — add volume and shape. How do you maintain the moonlighting hair colour trend? The beauty of moonlighting is that it's low maintenance. I was told that my hair will look naturally sun-kissed — or moon-bathed — as it grows out, and provided you're looking after it with sulphate-free shampoo, it could last for months. Alfred recommended refreshing the style with a toner every three to six months and stressed the importance of using nourishing haircare products like masks or deep conditioners. Besides this, it's always recommended to use a heat-protecting spray. My go-to is ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray, $45. For me, styling at home is equally fuss-free. Broadbent suggested letting my wavy hair air-dry and adding a texturising spray. For a more polished look, he recommended curling with tongs and gently brushing through the ringlets with a Tangle Teezer Brush, $30, for relaxed waves, followed by a hair oil for a sleek finish. I highly recommend K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil, $94.95. Like any new hairstyle, it took some adjusting to the cool, lighter and brighter tones of the moonlight hair colour, but I've received multiple compliments. I've been told the light accents brighten my complexion and make my blue eyes pop. If anything, my solid brunette tones washed me out. Moonlighting tends to suit curly hair and waves best as the movement allows those lifted tones to pop. I'm most interested to see how my moonlit hair will grow out over the coming weeks. Whether I will need a toner top-up, additional cooler tones or want to inject a little more sun-kissed warmth into my hair remains to be seen. But so far, I like what I see. When I first had a full head of balayage, I was so blonde I barely recognised myself; the moonlight technique is a more tame and totally bespoke version of a full head of balayage. I'd recommend moonlighting to those undecided about dyeing their hair or people who are considering highlights for the first time. Ultimately, though, my experience has taught me not to believe everything I see online. Alfred warned that some hairdressers are eager to please and wouldn't call out a presumably fake trend, so I'd encourage everyone to bring along numerous examples of the style and colour you want as inspiration, rather than put emphasis on one viral technique. Lastly, research your chosen colourist well and don't be afraid to ask about the methods they use. A pre-appointment consultation — usually free — is your best bet when it comes to achieving a hair colour that you love.
