The Viral History Of 'How It Started Meme': 7 Ways The 'How It's Going' Format Conquered The Internet
Contents
The Definitive Origin and Viral Explosion of the H.I.S. vs. H.I.G. Meme
The "How It Started vs. How It's Going" meme—often abbreviated as H.I.S. vs. H.I.G.—began its life as a wholesome celebration of romantic relationships on Twitter in the fall of 2020. The original concept was straightforward: users would post two images side-by-side. The first image, labeled 'How It Started,' typically showed a screenshot of a first direct message (DM) or a casual initial interaction. The second image, 'How It's Going,' displayed a picture of the couple now, perhaps engaged, married, or simply thriving. This framework immediately resonated with the Twitter community, offering a public, fun way to brag about relationship success. The first known viral use is often credited to a Twitter user on September 23, 2020, featuring a screenshot of a DM conversation that led to a successful relationship. The meme's initial success was so explosive that it became a defining social media trend of that month, quickly moving beyond its romantic origins. This rapid meme evolution demonstrated the format's inherent versatility.From Romance to Universal Storytelling: The Meme's Rapid Expansion
What gave the H.I.S. vs. H.I.G. meme its true staying power was its ability to be adapted to virtually any topic. Users swiftly realized the template could apply to any scenario that involved a journey or a dramatic comparison of two states. This shift from a niche relationship trend to an all-purpose meme solidified its place in internet culture. The meme's instant recognizability and simplification of complex narratives made it a powerful tool for digital storytelling.7 Key Categories Where the 'How It Started' Meme Thrives
The versatility of the "How It Started vs. How It's Going" format has led to its adoption across dozens of topical categories. The following seven areas represent the most popular and enduring applications of this two-panel meme format, showcasing its lasting cultural impact:- The Relationship Arc: The original and most wholesome application. This category focuses on partner progression, showcasing initial awkwardness (the first text) compared to current bliss (the wedding photo or family picture). It is a pure form of wholesome content.
- Career and Professional Journeys: This is a favorite on professional platforms like LinkedIn and Business Twitter. 'How It Started' might be a photo of a cramped first office or a humble business card, while 'How It's Going' is a picture of a massive new headquarters or a successful product launch. It provides motivational content and illustrates professional growth.
- Personal Projects and Hobbies: This category is popular among creators and DIY enthusiasts. Examples include comparing a messy sketch or a pile of materials to the final, polished piece of art, a completed home renovation, or a fully grown garden. It highlights the effort of creative endeavors.
- Fitness and Self-Improvement: Often used for before-and-after comparisons, this is a powerful tool for visual motivation. 'How It Started' is often a photo of a couch or a first gym visit, contrasted with a photo of a marathon finish line or a physical transformation in 'How It's Going'.
- Ironic Parodies and Failures (The Twist): This is where the meme gets its comedic edge. Instead of showcasing success, the second panel reveals an ironic or unexpected failure. 'How It Started' might be a grand plan, and 'How It's Going' is a picture of total chaos, a massive debt, or a hilarious mistake. This is a classic example of internet humor.
- Brand Marketing and Product Development: Companies quickly adopted the format for meme marketing. Brands use it to show the evolution of a product, a company logo, or their corporate social responsibility efforts. It humanizes the brand by showcasing their development process.
- Pet Adoption and Growth: A consistently heartwarming category. 'How It Started' is a picture of a tiny, scared shelter animal, and 'How It's Going' is the same pet now comfortable, happy, and fully integrated into a loving home. This taps into the strong emotional impact of animal rescue stories.
The Enduring Relevance of the 'How It Started' Meme in 2025
Despite originating in 2020, the "How It Started vs. How It's Going" meme is not a relic; it is a timeless viral format that continues to see use in late 2025. Its simplicity ensures it survives the rapid turnover of social media trends. The meme's continued relevance is a testament to its core function: the human desire to document and share progress comparison. The format is so well-established that it has become a kind of legacy meme, frequently referenced and easily understood by new generations of internet users. It serves as a visual shorthand for the phrase "look how far I've come."Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords:
To achieve high topical authority on this subject, it is essential to recognize the interconnected concepts and LSI keywords that define the meme's ecosystem. These entities include: Meme Culture, Twitter Trend, Viral Format, Digital Storytelling, Progress Comparison, Two-Panel Meme, Meme Marketing, Social Media Trends, Relationship Twitter, Wholesome Content, Ironic Parodies, Meme Template, Evolution of Memes, Richard Dawkins (who coined the term 'meme'), Know Your Meme, Kapwing (a popular template tool), Content Virality, Emotional Impact, Visual Shorthand, Social Media Engagement, Internet Humor, Zeitgeist, Before-and-After, Career Progression, Personal Growth, Digital Communication, and Online Narrative. The enduring power of the "How It Started vs. How It's Going" meme lies in its ability to condense a complex, multi-year narrative into two simple, contrasting images. It is a powerful cultural artifact that allows users to reflect on their own lives, celebrate their victories, and poke fun at their own missteps, ensuring its place as a classic internet phenomenon for years to come.
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