Young girls intent on proclaim via social media how lucky they are and how great everything is going for them. The «Lucky Girl Syndrome» or Lucky Girl Syndrome it is a real trend that has been spreading for some time on TikTok.
At the base, the idea that it is enough self-convince yourself that things in life will always go well to really make them go right and to get everything you want.
One of the first TikTokers to launch the trend was Laura Galebe: the influencer published a video at the end of the year saying that, in order for things to go well in 2023, it was necessary to convince oneself that one was precisely «lucky girl». Hence the hashtag #luckygirlsyndrome.
So what exactly is Lucky Girl Syndrome?
«For some it is an empowering practice that allows you to make your dreams come true by repeating daily affirmations such as “everything is going well” – explained to Harper’s Bazaar career coach Lisa Quinn – for others it is on the contrary a non-inclusive lesson, a toxic trend spread on social media that interests rich girls who do not consider their privileges.
According to the coach, the popularity of this trend is due to hers simplicity. Repeat phrases like “things always go well for me”it’s a quick and simple exercise to practice. Not to mention that it offers the illusion of be responsible for your own destiny.
How positive thinking works
Although the Lucky Girl Syndrome is mainly centered, as the name suggests, on the concept of ‘luck’, it can be seen as a sort of exercise in positive thinking and from this point of view – explains Lisa Quinn a Herper’s Bazaar – can also be interpreted as an attempt to don’t fall into the trap of negativity, of which our mind is often a victim.
«The best-selling author and motivational coach of the New York Times, Mel Robbins, uses a great one metaphor which I think is useful – the expert underlines again – She says that our mentality is like a pair of sunglasses through which we see the world. And the How we see the world can have a big impact on how we behave and therefore on the actions we take».
Because Lucky Girl Syndrome is an example of toxic positivity
Lucky Girl Syndrome, however, can also be understood as a example of toxic positivitya trend from which many experts have been warning for some time. It is in fact a attitude that does not take into account many factors, such as the fact that some people are more privileged than others. Not only that, it’s a way of thinking that leaves no room for negative feelings and to emotions that are inevitably part of life.
Trying to ignore negative feelings may work in the short term, underlines the expert interviewed by Herper’s Bazaar, but it doesn’t work in the long run because those feelings will recur.
Not only. Alyx Gorman, journalist of the Guardianhighlights a another negative and potentially toxic aspect of the lucky girl syndrome, or the victim blaming. In fact, if you convince yourself that you are lucky and deserve to have your wishes come true and this does not happen, you may find yourself at blame yourself for what are seen as personal shortcomings but that in reality they are not.
Repeating an affirmation is not enough
There are many trials which also demonstrate how the Positive thinking alone has limits. If on one hand adopt a positive mindset it can help you take actions that can improve your life, on the other hand it is essential to know that this type of attitude is certainly not enough to get everything you want.
An alternative? The WOOP strategy
In this regard, the coach suggests another approach, supported by scientific studies: the so-called WOOP strategyacronym of Wish, Outcome, Obstacle and Plan. It is in fact a mental strategy that can help you achieve your goals but which, unlike positive thinking, also takes into account those factors that can in some way hinder the realization of one’s desires.
“It’s an idea from German professor Gabriele Oettingen That studied positive thinking and found that we get far better results if we anticipate what could go wrong – explains the coach – The WOOP approach encourages you to dream big, to think hard about what you want and what the result would be, but also to think about what might get in your way and then to plan a strategy accordingly».
Ultimately, can Lucky Girl Syndrome work?
“Clearly thousands of women on social media think it’s working for them – concludes Lisa Quinn – I will not tell anyone to stop practicing this strategy if they feel it is working. However I also think that the Lucky Girl Syndrome has several downsides and until a solid scientific study of this theory is done, we cannot give an answer.”
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Source: Vanity Fair
I’m Susan Karen, a professional writer and editor at World Stock Market. I specialize in Entertainment news, writing stories that keep readers informed on all the latest developments in the industry. With over five years of experience in creating engaging content and copywriting for various media outlets, I have grown to become an invaluable asset to any team.
