I know because I struggled and I cried

Updated August 2, 2026

Example 10:06

Example 20:06

What is the I know because I struggled and I cried trend?

Set to Princess Sienna's "PS," this trend uses the lyric "I know because I struggled and I cried" as a credential for whatever hard-won knowledge follows in the text overlay. The audio frames the speaker as someone who paid for the lesson, which makes the warning or advice land with more weight than a tip would. Brands use this to share the kind of product mistake, category pitfall, or founder lesson that only comes from experience.

Where did the I know because I struggled and I cried trend come from?

The audio originates from "PS," a hip-hop/rap single by Princess Sienna (TikTok: @siennakatharios), a trans artist and drag performer who released the track on December 16, 2024 under the label SiennasWorld. The song contains the lyric "I know because I struggled and I cried / I know because I almost f***ing died," a first-person declaration of hard-won experience framed as credibility. The sound began circulating on TikTok in early-to-mid 2025, with creators using it as a vehicle for comedic or earnest "I know from experience" disclosures, overlaying text naming something they have personally suffered through. A PS Remix featuring Athena Grey and Stuno was also released in 2025, expanding the audio's footprint on the platform.

What should brands post with the I know because I struggled and I cried trend?

Lip sync to the audio with text overlay delivering the warning
Product b-roll paired with the hard-won lesson in text
Face-to-camera reaction footage with the advice overlaid

Examples

Me warning everyone to never skip SPF under makeup because it is already too late for me
Me telling you to read the full ingredient list on your "fragrance-free" moisturizer before you assume
Me advising you to order a sample of the candle before you buy six as corporate gifts