Also called Daily Struggle · Sweating button guy
Put a conflicting priority on each button. The sweating face shows how hard the choice feels.
Two options face someone who can't comfortably pick either. Both might be tempting, both might come at a cost, or one might contradict something the person claims to believe.
The bottom panel exaggerates the pressure. A decision as small as leaving a party or staying for dessert can feel like a crisis when you give both buttons a good reason to exist.
Animator Jake Clark published the original comic on Tumblr on October 25, 2014. The drawing pairs two opposing instructions with a character sweating over the decision. [1] [2]
In a 2015 Reddit discussion, a comment signed Jake Clark names Sweating Towel Guy and Hank Nova from Timesplitters 2 as inspirations. The comment also asks people sharing the drawing to keep the artist's link. [3]
Start with the person making the choice. Give them two options they have a reason to consider. 'Coffee' and 'tea' are alternatives; 'another coffee' and 'sleep tonight' give the person a reason to hesitate.
Keep each button label short enough to read before the eye reaches the second panel. Label the person when it adds context. 'Me at midnight' helps; a paragraph about tomorrow's schedule slows the joke down.
Original captions to try with this template.
Original artwork by Jake Clark
An immediate reward gets in the way of tomorrow's good intentions.
Original artwork by Jake Clark
Both goals matter. Choosing either means giving something up.
Original artwork by Jake Clark
Preparing to work becomes a convenient way to avoid the work.
Original artwork by Jake Clark
Two good options make a small decision feel like a crisis.
Original artwork by Jake Clark
The second goal makes the first one harder. The conflict is built in.
References for this template. Example captions are original.
Original artwork by Jake Clark.
Publication history, early reposts, and Petirep's later redraw.
Creator-attributed comment about influences and keeping credit.
