What is Lucky Girl Syndrome? And, Why Is It Triggering?
Tips to process TikTok’s viral affirmation mantra — and other ways to manifest.
Channeling our inner manifestation is nothing new to our rising self-help culture. Self-love is one of society’s new favorite buzzwords. A brilliant one with an endless interpretation that we can see by scrolling a couple of times on our TikTok For You page. Manifesting trends have spread across our screens before, but none quite like “Lucky Girl Syndrome.” A term pinned by TikTok Influencer Lauren Galebe, after claiming the use of the mantra, “I am so lucky” invited positive opportunities and experiences into her life.
Since then, Lucky Girl Syndrome has inspired countless women to claim their own luckiness, the unconvinced to question its validity, and others to see it as a sign of privilege. Like everything that rises in pop culture, it has created a stir in the debate world. On our end, the questions that popped up while we watched the world get lucky are as follows… are these videos triggering? Can the mantra be translated into our dating lives? Does it still work if we don’t post the practice on TikTok? Here’s our take.
So, what is Lucky Girl Syndrome?
It follows the common theory of the law of attraction -- if you use positive affirmations daily and work to stay in an uplifting mindset, good things will come to you. The practice plays on a higher frequency that attracts opportunities or people that are meant for you. By claiming one is the “luckiest girl alive”, you erase negative thoughts and keep your spirit open to the universe. It piggybacks on the spiritual idea of believing that things always work out in your favor.
What’s the problem?
There are many issues associated with Lucky Girl Syndrome, such as the validity of the concept, the showcase of privilege, and its lack of awareness that “negative” experiences are a part of life. News outlets and TikTokers have debated all sides without surrender. Similar to many spiritual practices or just life concepts, it all comes down to interpretation. Everyone processes information differently and connects with different aspects of a trend. Without continuing these debates, spirituality doesn’t come in one size, and opposing opinions are expected.
But, the problem that seems untouched is how Lucky Girl Syndrome videos can be triggering.
While sending nothing but positive vibes to the luckiest girls on the internet, we’ll be swiping past people’s personal lucky mantras. Lucky Girl Syndrome is a personal exclamation of connecting with your higher self. The practice is a natural confirmation of one’s personal goals and dreams. The “proof” these mantras work, like new career opportunities, financial boosts, or new relationship developments, is deeply personal. Sharing them online opens up the possibility of bragging, even if that’s not the creator’s intention.
Reducing triggering content is an ongoing problem, and a personal one, with social media. Lucky Girl Syndrome seems to have found the problem’s sweet spot. Connecting to the concern of privilege or hearing someone else’s “luck” can cause a spiral of overthinking. Achieving the opposite of the theory itself. It’s hard to balance these triggering feelings without feeling we are discrediting the success of others. We can remember that everyone is on their own timeline, but sometimes knowing that isn’t always enough. Removing ourselves from the trend may be the best way to use Lucky Girl Syndrome to our advantage.
And you’re still a lucky girl if you practice affirmations differently.
It is possible to create your own train of positive thoughts without following the same wording and process as the TikTok girlies. Posting your mantras on social media won’t alter the ways of the universe. Going off the root of the trend itself… it is the power of our mind that produces healthy reactions. Creating a higher frequency is a mindset, not video content.
How do we connect with our higher self without feeling triggered?
By using positive thinking in the present moment. Though self-confidence is important, we see a true shift in ourselves when we consciously change the way we show up in conversations with ourselves and others. For example, if you have a date, instead of speaking negatively, saying you’re dreading it, switch the mindset to being optimistic. Instead, tell your friends you’re excited to meet someone new and accept any outcome that’s coming.
We can’t stop “negative” things from happening by claiming they won’t. Unfortunately, we can’t see the positive without some negative. It’s science. It’s spirituality. Lessons don’t grow from constant light. Shade is needed for reflection. We should feel lucky to experience both sides of the spectrum. Lucky Girl Syndrome shouldn’t be about using a positive mindset to only attract certain outcomes. Developing a positive thinking pattern prepares us for challenging life moments, processing them, and seeing the goodness that grows from the “negatives.”
