Life 2nd February 2023 by Stellar Magazine

What Is The Lucky Girl Syndrome Phenomenon?

It’s the latest trend sweeping TikTok.

 

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Do good things seem to always happen to you? Do opportunities magically fall into your lap? If so, you might be benefiting from TikTok’s latest phenomenon, ‘Lucky Girl Syndrome.’

Lucky Girl Syndrome refers to the concept of manifestation; simply bring dreams and goals into existence by putting them out to the universe. 

The term, coined by TikTok users, has generated over 260 million views. While most followers swear by the trend, we have to ask ourselves, can repeating affirmations really make your dreams come true? Can we create our own luck? And most importantly, can Lucky Girl Syndrome replace hard work and dedication?

Lucky Girl Syndrome is another form of manifestation, whereby believing you are a lucky girl makes you a lucky girl. The goal is to be as aspirational as possible and believe your dreams are already reality.

The fad is based on the law of assumption, by assuming you have something it will eventually come to you. The hashtags “Manifestation” and “spirituality” have saturated the For You Page on TikTok since the platform was launched. However, this is the first easily understood and accessible manifestation trend to take off.

The idea is easy to apply. There are no candles. No witchcraft. Simply believe you already achieved your goals and send that belief out to the universe.

How do I practice Lucky Girl Syndrome?

Lucky Girl Syndrome is all about a positive attitude. But how far can that take you? If you convince yourself you’ve won the lottery will you be rolling in money? 

Unfortunately it’s not that easy. 

The law of assumption has to adhere to somewhat realistic desires. In short, the words “Lucky Girl Syndrome” is not enough to manifest buying a house in Dublin! Instead, lucky girl syndrome is the idea of believing the odds are in your favour. (It worked for Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games, after all). 

For example, if you’re applying for a new job, instead of feeling underprepared and unqualified, flip your mindset to a positive one. Believe you deserve this new job and they would be lucky to have you. According to TikTok, if you apply this method of thinking, more good things will happen and eventually you too will become a lucky girl.

Like any trend on the internet, Lucky Girl Syndrome wasn’t left unscathed by the doubters and skeptics. Some were quick to point out that the idealistic fad overlooks the more serious obstacles that life has – poverty and lack of education to name just two. Users soon labeled the trend as insensitive and smug. Many felt that this technique was geared towards privileged white girls who need a reality check. 

While the whole trend can sometimes rely on delusion, it could be unfair to label positive thinking as non-inclusive. For Lucky Girl Syndrome to work, you cannot rely on manifestation alone but instead combine it with hard work and talent. Lucky Girl Syndrome may be the little confidence boost that we all need to go for our dreams.

But can it really work?

While there is no scientific research to back up this TikTok technique, there is some proof that it may work. Neuroscience shows that the reticular activation system in our brains sorts out and filters all the information we process. This filtering system only absorbs half of what we take in. So, in theory, the more we focus on positivity, the more it will promote an optimistic mindset. And let’s face it, you need to be positive to put yourself out there or you have already lost.

But what do experts make of this trend? Is there really such a thing as toxic positivity? Dublin based mental health occupational therapist Jen Trzeciak says: “It can be quite dangerous. I’ve dealt with assault victims who blamed themselves for possibly subconsciously manifesting their attack. Some might view it as a positive thing but evidence actually shows the opposite.

“If you psychologically believe you have already achieved your goal and are already there, then you don’t feel you don’t need to do the work. Instead we need to think about our goals and overcoming their obstacles. This isn’t negative thinking but realistic thinking. So-called ‘Lucky Girl Syndrome’  implies that the individual has complete control over what happens to them without acknowledging external factors; so when we don’t achieve our goals we often blame ourselves.”

@soulcialbohemia Claim it! Lucky girl syndrome for 2023! 💖 #luckygirlsyndrome #luckygirlsyndromechallenge #affirmations #luckygirlaffirmations ♬ original sound – affirmations for women

What’s the verdict?

We’ve looked at the good and bad of Lucky Girl Syndrome, so now it’s time to decide what we really make of it all. TikTok was created to be a lighthearted video app so it’s only fair we take their trends with a pinch of salt. Keeping Jen’s advice in mind, it’s also important to acknowledge our obstacles whilst focusing on our goals.

So while a simple TikTok mantra may not be enough to solve all your problems, it’s fair to say that you can’t go wrong with a positive mindset.

I would know, considering I’m the luckiest girl in Ireland (is it working yet?)

By Zana Zee Keough 

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