The Tiny Hamster meme, often featuring a small, big-eyed hamster (sometimes accompanied by sad violin music), has become the internet's favorite way to depict feelings of being overwhelmed, helpless, or regretful. While rodents eating tiny snacks were the original trend, the modern 'Sad Hamster' version gained massive popularity on platforms like TikTok and X. It is typically used to represent a person facing the consequences of their own actions or feeling small in a large, intimidating world. Its wide-eyed, slightly bewildered expression makes it the perfect reaction image for relatable, everyday social anxieties.