Why is the ‘Chill Guy’ meme taking over the internet? 

Scroll through your feed and you might have come across a meme featuring an anamorphic brown dog wearing a grey sweater, rolled-up blue jeans and a pair of red sneakers. The meme in question is called the ‘Chill Guy’ meme.

Where did it come from? 

This new viral trend is the latest internet buzz and was first introduced by Philip Banks who posted the first photo of the character on his X account on 4 October, 2023. In his post, he also captioned his artwork, “My new character. his whole deal is he’s a chill guy that lowkey doesn’t give a f*ck.” However, it was only a year later when TikTok users discovered and embraced the ‘Chill Guy,’ propelling it to viral status.

As a matter of fact, the meme itself has gained so much traction that it already has its own cryptocurrency called $CHILLGUY. In October 2024 itself, the coin’s overall value had skyrocketed to $47.3 million (and counting).

Why is it trending? 

Relatable content often has the potential to become a trend, and Philip Banks’ ‘Chill Guy’ is no exception. Creators like @abnormalpenguin2, for instance, have taken the meme to new heights.

In one video, TikTok creator @abnormalpenguin2 pairs the ‘Chill Guy’ meme with an emotional audio clip, saying: “I know that I’m supposed to be a chill guy and lowkey really not care about anything, but I’m tired of trying to be someone that I’m not. I want you to think of something right now that makes you happy. That thing you see, that thing that lights you up, chase that with all of your soul, chase it. Because it’s easy to brush off life’s potential, and I’m not trying to say that life is easy, in fact, I’d argue that the only way that something is meant to be is if you’re willing to commit to the difficulty of bringing it to life, otherwise, it wasn’t meant to be anything, but just a missed opportunity. It will be a difficult road but here’s what we come to learn: everything of value is difficult.”

Ever since the video was posted on 6 September 2024, the trend has taken flight, with others creating their own take on the Chill Guy character.

Here are some of our favourites:

Why we love the ‘Chill Guy’

At first glance, many might take the Chill Guy meme as one of the Internet’s most famous jokes – however, its appeal runs deeper than that. In fact, the meme serves as a reminder to those who constantly keep worrying about the small stuff and to embrace life’s ups and downs with a little more grace. Whether it’s a post that offers some witty advice or one that ought to radiate some calm in your life, the Chill Guy embodies something we’re all striving for: to live in the moment and stay optimistic, no matter the circumstances.

Even in his funniest posts, you’ll notice that there is also an underlying message of hope and adaptability – which proves that he’s not only just a meme, but he’s also the internet’s version of a supportive friend who cheers us on even when we’re feeling a little overwhelmed.