When Megan Keaveny didn’t get a great response to the flyers she posted asking strangers to share their good news using a QR code, the New York City transplant opted for a more direct approach. She took a black marker to some poster board and wrote “Tell Me Something Good.” Then she stood on the sidewalk with her phone ready to record, held up the sign, and hoped for the best.
“I got so fed up with doomscrolling that I was down to try anything to spread some goodness in any way that I could get my hands on,” Keaveny, 34, told Nice News in an email. And judging by the reception her videos receive on TikTok and Instagram — she has over 78,000 followers under the handle @signswithmeg — the idea is working.
@signswithmeg TELL ME UR GOOD NEWS <333 #hopecore #goodnews
♬ original sound – Signs with Meg 🙂
Originally from Dallas, Keaveny is a full-time social media consultant, so she’s acutely aware of what a negative place the internet often is; her goal is to remind people it doesn’t have to be. “I want to build spaces for us to take deep breaths together and learn to celebrate one another as human beings again,” she said, adding: “I think there’s a collective craving for belonging in the times we’re in.”
@signswithmeg 🥹❤️ RECOVERY COMMUNITY: what’s something you needed to hear 42 days in? Let’s spread some love! #goodnews #recovery #recoveryispossible #rehab #hopecore
♬ Little Life – Robert Gromotka
The sign she now holds up most frequently reads “Tell Me Ur Good News!” and the responses are often light and sweet (“my daughter got Pinocchio in the school play today!”). Others carry a little more heft, though. “My good news is I just got out of rehab, and I’m 42 days clean,” one man told Keaveny. Positive tidings flood the comment section of the videos as well: “My good news is I’m cancer-free” someone wrote earlier this year.
Keaveny’s endearing enthusiasm about the good news she receives is about as heartwarming as the news itself. “Oh my god, wait, that’s amazing news!” she squealed happily after a woman in Central Park announced that she recently got into character animation and has a cartoon coming out.
@signswithmeg I feel like so many people can relate to the fear of “but what if no one cares??” !!! Her IG is jessica.bernthis ❤️ #goodnews #hopecore #nyc #newyork #newyorkcity
♬ original sound – Signs with Meg 🙂
“The most meaningful interactions are when people share vulnerable stories about health issues or struggles with mental health,” Keaveny said in her email. “I think it’s beautiful for someone to invite me and a bunch of other strangers into these situations because it’s really powerful to find hope together.”
Of course, not everyone rushes up to talk to her when she stands outside with her signs — but she’s OK with being ignored and feeling a bit self-conscious sometimes: The overall payoff is worth it.
@signswithmeg When he said “dream childhood job” I was 😭😭 #goodnews #hopecore
♬ original sound – Signs with Meg 🙂
“It’s completely deepened the love I have for myself and the openness I have toward others. I feel pretty vulnerable putting myself out there some days, but I just love humans so much and I’m willing to slightly embarrass myself in an effort to bring us all back together again,” Keaveny shared. “We all need each other more than we realize.”
She added: “My hope is that people are able to watch these videos and find a deeper appreciation for the rich inner worlds we all carry around with us each day.”
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