Can the "lucky girl" mindset be the life hack everyone's calling it?

If you’re one of those people who start their day by staring into the mirror and declaring, “I’m a lucky girl, the universe loves me, and money just magically flows into my life,” then trust me, I get it—because I am one of those people. There is something oddly therapeutic about hyping yourself up like the main character of an Indie movie right even before brushing your teeth. And honestly? A little delulu never hurt anybody. For someone who has tried and tested this ultimate cheat code to life, I can confirm—it does feel amazing. But, as much as I love doing it, I’ve never quite gotten it right. Somehow, I always end up spilling my matcha on my white t-shirt right after declaring that the universe is working in my favour. Or I’ll strut out of the house feeling like abundance is my birthright, only to trip over absolutely nothing. If lucky girl syndrome is all about those effortless wins, why does my life still feel like a blooper reel? 

Don’t get me wrong—I want to believe that simply knowing good things will happen is enough to make them real. And on some days, it really does feel like magic. But here’s the thing: Do manifestations really work, or are we just noticing the wins and ignoring the L’s? Some people swear by it, convinced that their unwavering faith in their own luck has led them to dream jobs, unexpected windfalls, and opportunities. But sceptics argue that it’s just another case of confirmation bias. When you believe you’re lucky, you naturally pay more attention to the moments that reinforce that belief while brushing off the ones that don’t.

If you’re not as chronically online as I am and haven’t been exposed to every manifestation trend out there, the lucky girl syndrome, at its core, is a mindset that hinges on the belief that things will always work out in your favour. It’s a more nuanced take on the "Law of Assumption," which suggests that what you assume to be true will manifest in your reality. Unlike the "Law of Attraction," which talks about taking inspired action towards your desires, the "Law of Assumption" leans heavily into the idea that your thoughts alone dictate your reality. In simpler terms, if you believe you’re lucky, then the universe (or at least your subconscious mind) conspires to prove you right. 

It’s easy to see why this idea has taken off—I mean, who wouldn’t want to believe that success, love, and money can just effortlessly fall into your lap? But is this really a life hack or just strategic optimism? 

According to Ruchi Ruuh, a relationship expert, the “I’m a lucky girl” mindset promotes an extreme version of positive thinking, suggesting that success in relationships and careers and that anything in life can be solely achieved by changing one’s mindset. “The issue is that this mindset can lead to self-serving bias—when things go well, people credit their positive thinking, but when things go south, they blame themselves for not manifesting hard enough,” Ruuh explains. “It can lower self-esteem, cause emotional distress, and discourage people from taking real action in the face of setbacks.”

The backlash against this trend is valid because perpetual, unchecked optimism can be harmful, too. While there is definitely value in cultivating a positive mindset, it needs to come with realism. “Believing in yourself is important,” says Ruuh, “but that belief should empower you to take action, not keep you waiting for luck to intervene.” Research in positive psychology and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) supports the idea that self-belief can shape behaviour. The self-fulfilling prophecy suggests that believing in success can lead to actions that make success more likely, such as greater confidence, persistence, and motivation. However, the issue arises when the "lucky girl" mindset enters into magical thinking—an idea that thoughts alone shape reality.

Sohini Rohra, a relationship and fertility psychologist, shares a similar perspective. “The 'lucky girl' mindset is an extreme, oversimplified version of positive thinking,” she explains. Traditional manifestation involves setting intentions, believing in good outcomes, and taking action. The "lucky girl" trend skips the action part, making it seem like just thinking you’re lucky is enough. “It turns mindset into a magical process rather than a mix of belief, effort, and strategy.”

Blind faith in the idea that everything will magically work out can lead to avoidance—dodging difficult conversations, failing to plan for setbacks, or refusing to take accountability when things don’t go as expected. "The ‘everything works out’ mindset can easily turn into avoidance," Rohra explains. "You might neglect planning for challenges, fail to develop resilience, or even dismiss personal accountability. Disappointment hits harder when you expect life to unfold effortlessly. There’s a fine line between optimism and delusion, between faith and outright denial. A healthy mindset means believing things can go your way while also actively working to make them happen."

More importantly, this mindset risks dismissing real-world struggles. Not everyone has the privilege to simply “believe” their way to success. "Financial issues, discrimination, systemic barriers—these aren’t obstacles you can positive-think your way out of," Rohra says. "When the lucky girl narrative ignores these realities, it veers into toxic positivity, reducing complex challenges to a sparkly, oversimplified mantra. Worse, it can make people feel like they’re failing simply because they aren’t ‘lucky enough,’ rather than acknowledging the external factors at play."

The healthier approach? Stay positive, but stay practical. "Hope should be paired with strategy and mindset with action," Rohra advises. "Luck isn’t just about wishing—it’s about creating the right conditions for success." Because at the end of the day, the universe might be listening—but it helps if you’re doing the work, too.

Lead Image: Netflix

Also Read: BeReal or BeFake—are we all faking the effortless cool-girl aesthetic online?

Also Read: Living on autopilot? Here's how to feel alive again!