What if the secret to a successful life didn’t depend on money, talent or ambition — but instead simply believing that you are lucky. If you have spent any time on TikTok, you might have seen this referred to as “Lucky Girl Syndrome.” The premise is simple: if you believe that you’re lucky, the universe (or whichever higher power you believe in) will believe it too. Creators on social media platforms insist that this mindset has led to dream job offers, successful relationships and making dreams a reality. It can be motivating to see the triumphs of others online and apply their values to your own life. While they may not manifest in ways as dramatic as they appear on TikTok, they might show up in everyday wins like an open table at Temple of Zeus or a short line to order a burrito bowl at Terrace.
This topic has recently been brought to the forefront of my mind within the previous weeks. As my roommates and I dove into the stressful process of apartment hunting, we frequently reassured ourselves that “everything will work out the way it’s supposed to” and “the universe is on our side. After a few weeks of exploring our options, we finally signed a lease to an apartment that we all love. While I won’t completely attribute that to our positive mindset, I do think that it kept us persistent when the search felt discouraging. This optimism lies at the heart of Lucky Girl Syndrome.
The trend really seemed to take off due to the comforting aspect of it all. In a world that often feels random and uncertain, the idea that everything happens for a reason offers reassurance in times of uneasiness. Each person has their own individual anxieties. Whether it be school, careers, money or relationships, no one is immune to stress. Lucky Girl Syndrome offers a unique mechanism to mitigate these stresses by replacing the worry with optimism. It reminds people of the power of positive thinking, and how it can impact day-to-day life. While simply believing that good things will come to you isn’t a magical fix, it can reframe people’s outlook on life. Mistakes become learning opportunities, obstacles turn into new perspectives and possibilities lead to reality.
I personally am a big believer that everything happens for a reason, or at least I tell myself that when something does not work out as expected. I’ve been telling my friends for over a year that I plan to get a tattoo that reads “bright side,” as a reminder to myself that there is always a positive way to look at life (and also because Mr. Brightside by The Killers happens to be my favorite song). The small phrase captures the same outlook as Lucky Girl Syndrome; when you keep a look out for the silver linings, good things will find their way to you.
To be honest, this can act as a life hack. Especially in college, students seem to be constantly overwhelmed with a long list of pressures, whether it be difficult exams, other school pressures or even homesickness. However, by adopting a “lucky” mindset, everyday troubles could be reduced. Optimism can act as a buffer against burnout and feeling overwhelmed, making these challenges feel a little more manageable. While it is definitely easier said than done, noticing the small wins in life can keep morale high during a stressful semester.
Of course, there are limitations to this belief system. Optimism is not the end-all cure of challenges in life. You still might fail a test or miss a deadline, and life won’t always work out the way you want it to. Relying on this mindset too much can eventually set you up for disappointment if you just expect everything to “work itself out.” In this, a balance must be found. A positive outlook is a tool, not a replacement for effort and planning. Looking back at the apartment search, the perfect spot did not magically appear in the palm of our hands — it was the result of persistence, an open mind and maybe just a little bit of luck. It is important to keep in mind that a hopeful attitude will not get you anywhere without determination and a willingness to turn your goals into reality.
So is the key to life mindset, effort or simply chance? I think that success requires a mix of all three. Whether or not you believe that luck is real, reframing your mindset can change your life and the way you perceive your surrounding world. Feeling lucky isn’t just about waiting for miracles to happen, it’s about noticing the small ones that happen in your everyday life. Lucky Girl Syndrome may have started as a TikTok trend, but its values are timeless. By maintaining good spirits and keeping an open mind, we give ourselves the chance to notice the good parts of life more than the bad ones. Who knows if it’s good luck or just a coincidence, but I’ll keep believing that the universe is on my side. Maybe life isn’t about trying to control every outcome, sometimes it’s just believing that the universe owes you a sprinkle of luck.
Martha Dolan is a sophomore in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She can be reached at mmd289@cornell.edu.
