Let’s be honest—some experiences are universal, and others are coded in the shared, unspoken language of being a girl. One glance at the viral meme comparing 20 cm to 9 cm and you instantly get it—if you’re a girl, that is. What appears on the surface as a simple measurement joke has a much deeper, almost poetic relevance to how women process everyday moments. But let’s break it down.
The left side? A cozy image, warm lighting, a smile, and a phone at 20 cm distance. The mood? Calm, loved, hopeful. The right side? Cold lighting, tears in the eyes, screen almost pressed to the nose—just 9 cm away. The mood? Emotional, raw, distant yet craving closeness. Only girls truly understand what happens in those two frames.
The Hidden Symbolism Behind 20 cm vs. 9 cm
What’s the difference between those two numbers? More than a toothbrush and a dental drill. It’s the emotional rollercoaster hidden behind simple routines. That 20 cm space? It symbolizes peace, lighthearted chats, maybe sweet late-night “goodnight” texts. That 9 cm? It’s a closer, almost desperate scroll into old messages, missed calls, maybe tears over a silent phone.
And here’s the irony: both sides of this meme happen on the same bed, same night, same phone—just two entirely different emotional universes.
Toothbrush or Dental Drill? It’s More Than a Tool—It’s a Choice
Let’s take the analogy deeper. A toothbrush—around 20 cm—is soft, familiar, part of your daily self-care. You don’t dread it. You use it to feel refreshed, clean, and ready for the world. It’s your friend. Now compare that to a 9 cm dental drill. It’s loud. It invades. It makes you flinch. You wouldn’t choose it unless you absolutely had to. It represents stress, discomfort, and fear.
So when life brings you emotional “tools,” you’ve got a choice: surround yourself with 20 cm toothbrush energy—gentle habits, self-care, peace—or let yourself spiral into 9 cm dental drill zones, digging into pain that’s loud, sharp, and exhausting.
Emotions at Night: Why Feelings Hit Harder in the Dark
Why does the 9 cm side of the meme hit so hard? Because nighttime is when the mind is loudest. The distractions fade. The world slows down, and suddenly, feelings you buried all day come knocking. For many girls, that’s when overthinking kicks in. You scroll through texts, revisit conversations, wonder about things left unsaid.
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And that screen? It gets closer. Your eyes squint. Not just because of the brightness, but because you’re reading between the lines. Searching for something that feels missing. That’s the dental drill moment—not because of what you’re reading, but how deeply it cuts.
The Unspoken Pressure of Always Holding It Together
There’s another layer here: the pressure many girls feel to always be okay. During the day, you put on a brave face, go to school, work, smile at friends, post selfies. You’re the 20 cm version of yourself—collected, composed, functioning.
But behind closed doors, the real emotions unravel. The fear. The insecurity. The heartbreak you didn’t show anyone. That’s the 9 cm side that only you understand. Only girls who’ve been there know what it means to hide tears under a blanket, to scroll through happy posts while feeling like you’re falling apart inside.
The Importance of Choosing Self-Kindness
So here’s the takeaway—when life pulls you toward that 9 cm energy, fight to stay in the 20 cm space. Choose comfort over chaos. Choose a warm conversation over reliving old pain. Choose a toothbrush over a drill.
Because while we can’t always control the emotions that hit us, we can control how we respond. We can put the phone down. We can cry if we need to. But we can also write, meditate, journal, or call someone who makes us feel heard.
Moments of Sadness Don’t Define You
It’s okay to feel both sides of the meme. Everyone does. But don’t let the 9 cm version of yourself be the only one you nurture. Laugh at the silly things. Send that “I miss you” text. Take that warm shower. Brush your teeth. Do the small things that feel like toothbrush energy—even if they seem trivial.
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Because those are the things that bring you back. That remind you that the storm will pass. That feelings are temporary but taking care of yourself is forever.
Conclusion: Laugh, Cry, and Grow—But Always Choose the Gentle Tools
This meme might look like just another funny image floating around the internet, but the truth it holds is deeper than most quotes. It reminds us that even in our most vulnerable moments, we have the power to shift our energy.
Whether you’re at 20 cm or 9 cm from your screen tonight, just know: your feelings are valid. You’re not alone. And next time you feel like life’s handing you a dental drill—try reaching for the toothbrush instead. It’s softer, kinder, and trust me, it’ll always get the job done without hurting you in the process.
