Life/Style

Lucky Girl Syndrome is the newest manifestation trend. But why are we so obsessed with manifestation?

Dristi SharmaMarch 16, 2023 | 08:30 IST

Social Media today is full of trends claiming to be life-changing. Today, we see every other YouTuber claiming to be 'manifesting' the lifestyle of their dreams.

The hashtag #Manifestation has been used more that 10 million times on Instagram, and videos with the same hashtag have more than 2 billion views on TikTok.

But, what is manifestation?

Though manifestation and the law of attraction are age-old concepts with origins as far back as Hindu scriptures and Buddhism, it has enjoyed a modern-day reinvention since the 2006 documentary The Secret. Now it has filled social media feeds and coaching philosophies alike.

Manifesting is "to make evident or certain by showing or displaying." In other words, it is the act or practice of bringing something into your life through belief. It simply means that believing in what you want and making it come true.

Instagram users believe that manifesting is more than just wishing for physical items - a new car, a house, clothes - it's acknowledging what you already have.

It's a modern-day version of the Hindi Proverb "Acha Socho, Acha Hoga".

The lucky girl syndrome

Now that we have looked into what manifestation is, take a look at what is the new trend which claims to make you rich. The trend is called, 'lucky girl syndrome' and has been very popular on social media.

Lucky Girl Syndrome is basically an Instagram trend where influencers are posting 'positive affirmations' for making the person richer and giving them a good lifestyle.

The Hashtag #luckygirlsyndrome has more than 250 million views on TikTok.

Check out some 'AFFIRMATIONS' AND 'CLAIMS':

According to the internet, lucky girls get their own way:

Traffic lights go green, job opportunities open up, and the fully booked restaurant has a miraculous opening.

But does manifestation even work?

You remember the times things did work out in your favour, and overlook the times they didn't.

- Dr Carolyne Keenan, a psychologist [BBC]

These people posting such stories about getting lucky are already privileged. So, the sense of hope that is created by these trends is a little dangerous. But whatever it is, it never ends. From selling books on positive thinking to selling candles for a having a positive vibe in your room, there is also a big market behind it.

There's nothing wrong with positive thinking, of course. The more positively people dream about the future, the better they feel at the moment. People relax and their blood pressure goes down. But you need the energy to implement your wishes, and over time, they actually get more depressed, partly because they're putting in less effort and have less success

- German academic and NYU psychology professor Gabriele Oettingen, who wrote Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation[Vox].

Manifesting in India:

In India, manifestation has become a big thing on the internet. From people believing that celebrities' weddings are actually a manifestation, to some claiming that they have bought an IPhone or a car by manifestation. Out of all the ways of manifestations, some Indians are passing ideas like write, 'I will get an iPhone on a sheet of paper and keep it inside your pillow before sleeping' (we are not even kidding).

CRINGE ALERT:

Photo: Pinterest

Do You think Manifestation Works? Let us know in the comments.

Last updated: March 16, 2023 | 10:49

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