The Best TikTok Videos Of 2021

By now, you can already tell I spend way too much time on TikTok. Yes, I’m one of probably millions of users who downloaded the app out of boredom early on in the pandemic. More than a year later, I’m still falling asleep with my phone in my hand, with some earworm sound on repeat. BING BONG.

Naturally, I liked hundreds of TikTok videos in 2021, shared many of them to my Instagram stories and with friends in all my group text message threads. So here is a well-rounded compilation of a huge handful of my favorites (don’t worry, I spared you all the workout and cleaning videos, makeup tutorials, and most of the recipes). These videos are mostly funny and relatable — the perfect antidote to a wild and sometimes rocky year.

January

This cat knows a hit when he hears it:

When it’s been 21 years into the new millennium and you suddenly feel old as hell:

Sometimes you have to listen just a little more closely:

Sometimes DIY projects are not worth the pain:

When we needed to laugh to keep from screaming and crying about the insurrection:

This tortilla trick was one of the best hacks of the year:

Ellen Pompeo may be ready to throw in the towel, but this “Grey’s Anatomy” moment will live on forever:

Kris Jenner is usually two steps ahead of us all:

A new version of the Slip ’n Slide:

When we stanned Michelle Obama once again:

When you gotta convince yourself that this will be your day:

But then you gotta convince everyone to leave you alone:

February

When you remember self-love is the most important love:

If you’re on TikTok, this was in your head for at least 17 hours this year:

This song about Mesopotamia has no right being this catchy:

March

An analysis of why we didn’t love Matt James’ season of “The Bachelor”:

When we all remembered we don’t really like Prince Charles:

When y’all were obsessed with “nature’s cereal”:

This sound had a hold on us all:

Sometimes you need help calming down:

Who else is tired of washing dishes?

Because kids won’t let you get away with anything:

Sometimes TLC via Maya Angelou is exactly what you need:

When you need to convince everyone that Selena is life:

The best explanation for how mRNA vaccines work:

April

When your doctor makes house calls:

When you thought you were giving up “Law & Order: SVU” after summer 2020:

Thank you for the help!

When we stan Ina Garten:

When you won’t stand for “Grey’s Anatomy” slander:

When happy hour is any hour:

May

Hot girl summer? Let’s go longer.

When you’re sick of living through historical events:

When time is money:

June

This trend of guessing boyfriend names was too funny:

Immaculate vibes; no notes:

The cutest face ever singing one of the most popular sounds on TikTok:

This is the kind of love I’m looking for:

Hard to pick just one video from this comedian:

July

Because dancing babies are the best:

We all have gotten pretty good at multitasking during the pandemic:

When treat yo’ self goes too far:

The best explanation to convince you to get vaxxed:

Whew, relatable for all my singles out there:

Did we all reach this broke breaking point over the summer?

The most accurate representation of this year unfolding:

Still can’t believe this was actually a trend this year:

One of the most relaxing crowd-sourced TikTok sounds:

August

Return of the mask, part 143:

September

A cute puppy moment:

October

This fall salad is the truth:

We all need Abby in our lives:

Another precious dancing baby:

Perhaps the most New York City moment ever:

Yes, I’m obsessed with babies pouring but mostly spilling things:

Working, sleeping, minding my business, the keys to life:

A truly iconic duo:

Shout out to Keke Palmer for an explainer on that iconic moment at the Met Gala AND her “Titanic” comments:

We love a confident little Black girl:

This french fry tutorial is so timely, since we all have air fryers now:

November

There’s almost no in between:

You never know when you might need a coin purse!

One of the best feelings:

Don’t even try to explain it to me!

No help from the toddler in this one:

Open enrollment always gets the best of us:

The new dance challenge that I promise I will learn but I won’t:

’Cause it was always going to be a slim Christmas this year:

A pep talk we can all use right now:

And we are ready for you, 2022!

Jillian Capewell contributed to this list.