The Struggle Is Real is a ubiquitous internet slang term used to acknowledge daily hardships, ranging from genuine obstacles to humorous first-world problems. While the phrase has roots in early 2000s hip-hop culture to describe systemic poverty and social injustice, it transitioned into mainstream internet culture around 2013 as a sarcastic way to vent about minor inconveniences like slow Wi-Fi or a dead phone battery. The meme typically features images of individuals looking overwhelmed, animals in precarious situations, or inanimate objects failing. It remains a staple of social media, serving as a relatable shorthand for the shared experience of navigating life's many annoying little hurdles.