Is ‘Delulu’ Really The ‘Solulu?’ A Psychologist Explores The New TikTok Trend

The newest TikTok trend, known as “delulu,” which stands for “delusion is the solution,” is gaining popularity among Gen Z. Originating from the dating world, where it referred to the strong belief that someone could be interested in you, even when all signs suggested otherwise, delulu has now evolved into a mindset that can be applied to various aspects of life. It involves faking confidence to the point where aspirations can turn into reality, regardless of the odds.

This trend is reminiscent of the manifestation movement that has taken over social media in recent years. However, delulu takes it a step further by turning these manifestations into real-life actions without any real evidence to support them.

Here are two hidden aspects of delulu that can have a positive impact:

1. Confidence And Self-Belief Pave The Path To Success

Delulu emphasizes the importance of confidence and self-belief in achieving success in all areas of life. Believing in oneself and one’s abilities is a powerful psychological tool that can help overcome challenges like imposter syndrome and seize opportunities. Research shows that individuals with higher self-efficacy tend to set higher goals, persevere in the face of adversity, and ultimately achieve more.

For example, a study published in Learning and Individual Differences found that students with high self-efficacy pursued mastery goals and performance goals, which led to their success. They were able to control their impulses, self-regulate their actions, and persist in the face of challenges.

A delulu mindset can boost self-belief in the following ways:

• It pushes you out of your comfort zone. Being delusionally hopeful can encourage you to take on challenges you wouldn’t normally consider. Realizing that you are capable of more than you thought can fuel your self-belief.
• It replaces negative self-talk. By replacing the voice of the inner critic with the voice of a delusional fan, you can see opportunities even in the most challenging situations. However, it’s important not to rely too heavily on this tactic and lose sight of your weaknesses.

2. Manifestation And Positive Thinking Fuel Your Journey To Growth

Delulu is an extension of the manifestation craze and incorporates the principle of positive thinking. Maintaining an optimistic mindset plays a crucial role in maintaining confidence and pursuing goals effectively. Research suggests that optimists have higher expectations of achieving their goals, which fuels their commitment and progress.

For instance, a study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that participants with optimistic personalities reported more significant progress in their personal goals compared to pessimists. Visualizing success, practicing gratitude, and using affirmations and journaling are effective techniques that can help turn dreams into reality.

Here’s how you can incorporate delulu in your life:

• Visualize success: Spend time each day visualizing your career goals and envisioning yourself achieving them. Detailed and realistic mental images can set the stage for making those visions a reality.
• Practice gratitude: Acknowledge and appreciate your current opportunities and achievements. Cultivating gratitude fosters a positive outlook and attracts more positivity into your life.
• Affirmations and journaling: Create a daily practice of positive affirmations that reinforce your self-belief. Journaling can also be a powerful tool for tracking progress and identifying areas where positive thinking is making an impact.

Conclusion

The delulu mindset highlights the power of belief and self-talk in turning ideas into action and achieving success. While it’s important to approach social media trends with caution, dismissing delulu as a passing fad may result in missing out on its potential benefits. Many successful individuals attribute their delusional hope in their younger years as the driving force that propelled them through the toughest parts of their lives and careers.