How Hard Can It Be Boys Do It
Also known as: How Hard Could It Be? Boys Do It
"How Hard Can It Be? Boys Do It" is a TikTok sound and motivational mantra that took off in late 2023 and early 2024, primarily used by women showing themselves tackling tasks or working in fields traditionally dominated by men. Created by TikToker @mad_mitch in October 2023, the phrase became a rallying cry across the platform, inspiring both earnest lip dubs from tradeswomen and humorous skits that played on the phrase's double meaning.
Overview
The meme centers on a TikTok audio clip where creator @mad_mitch declares her new personal mantra for approaching difficult tasks: "How hard could it be? Boys do it." The sound became a template for women to share videos of themselves in male-dominated professions, overcoming challenges, or just doing things associated with men. The format splits into two lanes: sincere videos of women breaking barriers and comedic skits that twist the phrase for laughs2.
Users typically lip sync or play the original audio over footage of themselves at work, in the gym, or in absurd scenarios. The meme's appeal sits at the intersection of female empowerment and internet humor, letting creators toggle between genuine motivation and deadpan comedy depending on the context.
On October 14, 2023, TikTok user @mad_mitch posted a video explaining that she had adopted a new mantra for whenever she faced something difficult: "How hard could it be? Boys do it"2. The video struck a chord quickly, pulling in over 160,000 likes within its first three months on the platform. The audio from @mad_mitch's original post became the sound that other creators would build on, using TikTok's native duet and sound-reuse features to create their own versions.
Origin & Background
How It Spread
How to Use This Meme
The format typically follows a simple structure:
Pick a scenario — either a male-dominated activity you actually do (welding, coding, construction) or a humorous twist on what "boys do" (leaving dishes in the sink, wearing the same jeans all week)
Use @mad_mitch's original sound — the audio clip is the connective tissue of the trend
Film yourself in the scenario — lip sync the mantra or let the audio play over footage of you in action
Post with relevant hashtags — common tags include #HowHardCanItBe and #BoysDoIt
Cultural Impact
Fun Facts
@mad_mitch's original video hit 160,000 likes before the trend even went viral in January 2024.
@reinaeads' electrician video became one of the trend's biggest hits, crossing 1.1 million likes in a single week.
Author Jodi Picoult is one of the most high-profile non-influencer participants, bringing mainstream literary credibility to a TikTok sound trend.
The comedic versions often got more engagement than the serious ones, with @estrosin's strap-on joke pulling 222,000 likes in three days.
Frequently Asked Questions
References (2)
- 1The IT Crowdencyclopedia
- 2How Hard Can It Be? Boys Do It - Know Your Memeencyclopedia