Tiktok Trend - Probably Needed A Hug - April 2025

The “Probably Needed a Hug... Instead” trend emerged in April 2025 and quickly captivated TikTok and Instagram users with its vulnerable setups, emotional music, and twist endings. Using Adele’s “Hometown Glory” (original sound from music.rly), creators are turning emotional moments into quietly powerful two-part stories of unconventional coping.

Whether it's a drastic haircut, an intense gym session, or something humorous and relatable, the format delivers a punch of emotion — and often, surprise.

What’s this trend all about?

This trend uses a two-part video structure built around the emotionally rich crescendo of Adele’s “Hometown Glory.” It begins with a scene of sadness or vulnerability, paired with the text: “Probably needed a hug...” Then, as the music swells, it cuts to a second clip where the person reveals what they did instead — usually an impulsive, distracting, or emotionally charged action — with a new caption like “Went gym instead” or “Shaved my head instead.”

The result? An emotional rollercoaster that’s as raw as it is relatable.

What kind of videos people are making

  • Example 1: A young woman lies in bed, tearful and listening to music with AirPods. The caption reads: “Probably needed a hug...” then transitions to “Yea I just need a hug...” — keeping the vibe soft and emotional without an “instead” action.
  • Example 2: A blonde man appears sad, then cuts to him shaving his head dramatically. The text switches from “Probably needed a hug...” to “Shaved my head instead.”
  • Example 3: A man stares seriously into the camera in a hoodie, then cuts to him working out at the gym. The caption evolves from “Probably needed a hug...” to “Went gym instead.”

Want to use it? Here’s the step-by-step

  • Step 1: Save the trending sound: Adele’s “Hometown Glory” (music.rly original).
  • Step 2: Choose your emotional setup — sad, stressed, or overwhelmed. Think of something relatable.
  • Step 3: Choose your “instead” — what did you do instead of asking for comfort? Examples: shaving your head, cleaning the house, eating cake, going to the gym, online shopping.
  • Step 4: Film Clip 1 (emotional moment): Close-up or moody lighting. Look down, sigh, wipe a tear — minimal but expressive.
  • Step 5: Film Clip 2 (the action): Show yourself in the act or show the result. Film from a clear angle with purposeful expression and timing.
  • Step 6: Edit in TikTok/Reels:
    • Use the saved audio.
    • Trim the first clip to align with the soft beginning of the audio.
    • Insert the second clip right as the music swells — that's your transition moment.
    • Overlay Text 1 on Clip 1: “Probably needed a hug...”
    • Overlay Text 2 on Clip 2: “[Your Action] instead.”
  • Step 7: Write a caption like “this is how I cope 💔” or “not proud, but real.”
  • Step 8: Use hashtags like #probablyneededahug #instead #hometownglory #adele #copingmechanism #fyp #relatable

When it works best (and why)

This trend performs best when your video feels real and emotionally grounded.

  • Authenticity: Whether serious or humorous, the emotion needs to feel believable.
  • Strong contrast: The bigger the visual or emotional contrast between Clip 1 and Clip 2, the more impactful the story.
  • Music timing: The switch should hit right as the emotional swell in the song peaks.
  • Clean visuals: Good lighting and focus help — but raw emotion often trumps polish here.

When it doesn’t work (and why)

This trend can miss the mark when the emotional setup or the “instead” action isn’t clear or compelling.

  • Too vague: If viewers don’t immediately understand the emotion or the action, they’ll scroll past.
  • Out-of-sync edits: Transitions that don’t align with the audio can make the video feel awkward.
  • Low emotional contrast: If Clip 2 feels like more of the same, the emotional payoff is lost.
  • Insensitive takes: Avoid glorifying truly harmful behavior without context. Stay relatable or self-aware.

More examples

@james____edward Perfectly reasonable response tbh #hair ♬ original sound - music.rly
@anitagaerdbo … #fyp #fouryou #adele #videoviral ♬ original sound - music.rly
@a.quavv

♬ original sound - a.quavv
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