What Is “Lucky Girl Syndrome”? The Link Between Positive Thinking And Mental Health

“Lucky girl syndrome” is a concept promoted by TikTok influencers. It involves the belief that if we consistently tell ourselves we’re lucky and that good things will happen to us, we will be likelier to have such outcomes in our lives. It’s a manifestation technique based on positive thinking and the idea that your mindset can influence your reality. But does lucky girl syndrome work, and is it good for mental health? Here, we’ll explore how some aspects of lucky girl syndrome are rooted in psychology, positive thinking, and expectancy while others may be harmful. We’ll also provide suggestions for how you might strike a balance between positivity and expectation. 

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Why is it called “lucky girl syndrome”?

Lucky girl syndrome is neither a medical term nor a diagnosis. Instead, it’s a colloquial term used on social media—particularly by TikTok influencers whose primary audience is young women. That said, the concept isn't gender or age-specific. Anyone (not just young women) can use techniques of positive thinking and affirmations.

The psychology behind positive thinking and expectancy

Positive expectancy involves anticipating positive outcomes from your actions or simply believing that good things will happen. In a psychological context, it’s associated with the theory of confirmation bias, which, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), is “the tendency to gather evidence that confirms preexisting expectations, typically by emphasizing or pursuing supporting evidence while dismissing or failing to seek contradictory evidence.” While confirmation bias can be negative when it’s a cognitive distortion, it can also work positively with the right perspective, helping people reduce negative thinking and promote better mental health. 

What science says about positive thinking and luck 

The role of luck in positive outcomes might depend on whether one thinks about luck as an internal manifestation driven by personal attributes that we can control, or an external manifestation driven by chance that we can’t. Research indicates that people who believe in internal manifestations of luck tend to be more optimistic and think more positively, often leading to a greater sense of control and confidence. 

Additionally, some older evidence suggests that a belief in good luck may help motivate individuals to pursue goals, develop better coping skills, and exhibit dispositional traits that can lead to improved mental well-being.

The role of optimism in living healthily

Optimism involves expecting positive future outcomes and seeing the good in situations, even in the face of challenges. People with an optimistic outlook may have greater resilience and tend to be more likely to persevere through difficulties and recover from setbacks. They may also be more likely to see challenges as temporary and use them as learning tools. Studies have also connected optimism to improved physical health, including increased longevity and reduced risk of certain diseases. 

How gratitude and optimism can support each other

If optimism is a predictive attitude, gratitude operates more in the present moment. It involves acknowledging and appreciating what we already have, which may sometimes help lead to a greater sense of contentment and well-being. 

Gratitude can help sustain optimism by providing a stream of positive reinforcement and a sense of purpose. Embracing optimism and practicing gratitude are active choices that can enhance each other to shape our realities and create a more positive everyday life. 

Boosting self-esteem with positive affirmations

Self-affirmations emphasizing an individual’s core values and strengths are an evidence-based treatment technique often used in psychotherapy for people with depression and low self-esteem. The method typically involves writing or memorizing self-affirming statements that resonate with the individual, such as "I am valued," "I am worthy of love and respect," or "I am capable and in control." One might regularly speak positive affirmations aloud in front of the mirror, write them down, or create visual representations of them. 

Practical ways to cultivate a more positive outlook

Cultivating a “lucky thinking" lifestyle may begin with embracing positivity, practicing gratitude, and believing you are worthy and capable of achieving your dreams. It can also involve learning to turn challenging situations into growth and learning opportunities. These habits might take time and effort, but they may support you in fostering a healthier, more positive lifestyle.

Keep a gratitude journal with positive affirmations

Writing down the things we appreciate in our daily lives may reinforce positivity and help us recognize the things we appreciate about ourselves. To this end, it can be beneficial to be thoughtful about your affirmations and write them in your authentic voice. Then, rewriting or reciting them every day or every week can be useful. 

Visualize and measure your goals

Visualizing getting the things we want can sometimes help create a clearer path to getting them. To do this, you might write down your end goal and the steps you'll take to achieve it in detail. Then, you can create a realistic timeline for completing each step and celebrate your accomplishments along the way, no matter how small. Also, many find it helpful to share their goals with supportive friends and family members who can provide encouragement. 

Spend time with positive people

Studies suggest that associating with positive people and experiencing positive social connections may lead to numerous potential benefits, including improved mental and physical health, increased self-esteem, and a stronger sense of meaning in life. These connections are thought to foster a “positive feedback loop” where positive emotions and relationships reinforce each other. 

Take good care of yourself 

Self-care is typically an integral part of cultivating positivity and improved mental health. It can involve caring for your body by eating nutrient-dense foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough quality sleep. It can also involve caring for your emotional well-being by spending time in nature, getting regular social interaction, developing a mindfulness practice, and trying mindful movement activities like yoga or tai chi. 

People with luck—or toxic positivity?  

Lucky girl syndrome may be beneficial for some people; however, it does have its criticisms. For example, some view the concept as another manifestation of toxic positivity. Others consider the social media trend to be non-inclusive and driven by privilege. Here are a few ways that lucky girl syndrome may be problematic:

• It may lead to “magical thinking,” or the belief that actual luck alone is enough, and effort and planning are unnecessary. This view may diminish a person’s value of hard work, dedication, and strategic action, potentially hindering progress toward achieving their goals. 
• It can overlook the fact that socioeconomic factors, privilege, and systemic barriers often play a significant role in an individual’s opportunities and outcomes. The concept may also accentuate the gap between people in positions of privilege and those in marginalized communities. 
• The idea that luck is evenly distributed and available to anyone who believes in it (or "deserves" it) can be harmful. If individuals feel they are not lucky enough, it can contribute to chronic stress, self-doubt, and decreased self-worth. It may also lead to the false belief that people who experience hardship must be doing something “wrong” and only have themselves to blame.  
• It may create a mindset of toxic positivity in which one believes avoiding negative thoughts or emotions is the best approach. This can prevent individuals from acknowledging and processing challenging emotions, potentially leading to emotional suppression and hindering the healing process. 
• Telling another person who is experiencing significant life challenges that, as long as they believe, everything will turn out positive in the end might minimize or invalidate their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. 

Social media’s role in promoting lucky girl syndrome

Social media platforms like TikTok play a significant role in promoting trends like lucky girl syndrome by creating a space for shared affirmations and rituals. Trends like these are then amplified through social media's algorithm, which prioritizes engagement and content that users agree with. This type of curated positivity can create a sense of belonging and validation for some but alienation and disconnection for others. 

As with all online trends, setting boundaries and considering the source is generally advisable. While some mental health professionals acknowledge that there could be positive aspects to the "lucky girl" mindset, it isn't a scientifically proven or clinically recommended mental health practice. 

Finding balance for sustainable, overall well-being 

As the saying goes, life isn't always "fair," and while a positive mindset can be motivating, it can also be essential to acknowledge that challenges and setbacks can (and often do) arise. Suppressing the negative emotions that typically accompany hardship can be detrimental to mental and physical health. 

While it can be important to learn to accept and understand our full range of emotions, some people struggling with negative feelings or thoughts can feel overwhelmed and unable to cope on their own. In such cases, they may benefit from the guidance of a mental health professional. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common treatment for those struggling with overwhelming negative thoughts. CBT helps a person recognize the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It’s designed to help clients learn to identify negative patterns of thinking, acknowledge and process the distressing emotions associated with them, and reframe them for a more useful and productive mindset. 

Exploring online therapy

People who face barriers to receiving in-person mental health care may have an easier time receiving it virtually. Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp offer individuals the opportunity to connect to a large pool of therapists with diverse backgrounds and experiences, get matched with a suitable provider, and then attend sessions from the comfort of home on a schedule that fits their needs. 

In general, research suggests that online therapy can be an effective form of care for many. For example, some studies indicate that internet-delivered CBT outcomes may be comparable to traditional, in-person treatment outcomes. One meta-analysis published in the Lancet even suggests online CBT to be ”more effective than face-to-face CBT for reducing depression symptom severity” in a review of 17 different studies.