The Mood Meter meme is based on a psychological tool developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence to help people identify their feelings across two axes: energy and pleasantness. In internet culture, the four-quadrant grid has been repurposed as a humorous way to 'vibe check' oneself or others, often replacing the standard emotional labels with niche pop culture references, internal monologues, or chaotic hyper-specific situations. Users love this template for its versatility, as it allows for a nuanced look at how a person is feeling beyond simple descriptors, often highlighting the absurdity of modern stress and burnout.