The 'Slowly Approaching Bear' meme features a bear—often a grizzly or polar bear—moving steadily toward the camera, capturing a sense of inevitable encounter. It serves as a visual metaphor for consequences, deadlines, or unwanted responsibilities that are drawing nearer no matter how much one tries to ignore them. Originally gaining traction through wildlife photography and nature documentaries, the internet repurposed the footage to represent relatable anxieties. Whether it's the start of a work week or a growing pile of chores, the bear's calm yet persistent gait makes it the ultimate symbol for things that are 'closer than they appear' and impossible to avoid.