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SBU | Culture

Living with Lucky Girl Syndrome

Meghan Lex Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

I have lifelong lucky girl syndrome.

Many moons ago (December 2022), two girls sat in a car, eating noodles, and filmed a TikTok. In the video, creator Sammy K. and her friend unpack their daily luck and how keeping the steadfast belief that “everything works out” for them turns the thought into reality. And thus, lucky girl syndrome was born.

This has always been a concept that I resonate with — no matter what happens to me, the universe is on my side. Everything will work out.

It is admittedly an extremely privileged and naïve take, but it is also extremely comforting. 

I have been repeating the affirmation– “I am so lucky. Everything works out for me.” — for years.

I even don a horseshoe necklace as a reminder. 

I want to be clear: Lucky girl syndrome is not karma. It’s a mindset. I do not believe that good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people.

Rather, I think feel I can shape my life by willing the universe—aka manifestation.

In my head, I am uniquely attuned to the universe.

ESP, but not.

 I can feel when something is about to happen. For example, my therapist forgot our appointment after I was anxious about it happening my entire drive over. Or perhaps from another perspective, my anxious pseudo prayers willed this occurrence…

There are certain things that my friends claim “would only happen to me,” as one loves to say. They think I have bad luck.

Bad luck here means weird inconveniences, like any of the examples in Jagged Little Pill’s “Ironic.” Nothing serious or life-altering.

For example, me and cars. The only time my friend Chloe’s car breaks down is when I’m in it. Once, I called her on a whim, and her car started stalling immediately. This was a different car too.

Or my personal favorite example: my extremely rare diva cup debacle. Like what are the odds? (Extremely low according to my gyno…)

To me, bad luck means that the universe pays extra attention to me because I am aware of it. I can take a few abnormal experiences. They make for good stories.

Sometimes, things don’t work out in the short term, but with lucky girl syndrome, these setbacks are not indicative of failure or necessarily a bad omen because everything will work out, even if you can’t see it or if it takes years. “Everything always works out.”

Lucky girl syndrome helps to reframe issues too. Small things feel small. Big things feel smaller. Even if things aren’t okay right now, they will be eventually.

Bad grade on a test? It’ll be fine. Now, I know to study more next time. 

Friendship breakup? She was put in my life for a reason, and the same is true for her departure. It’s a lesson learned.

 Didn’t get that internship? Maybe I’ll get a better one!

With this mindset, I can easily recognize and am grateful for my wins (no matter how small), and my losses are merely a part of the journey.

I think my life would be very different without lucky girl syndrome. In a tumultuous adolescence, believing that the universe has my back stabilizes me.

I’m so lucky!

Meghan Lex

SBU '26

Meghan Lex is a planning enthusiast, serving as Her Campus at SBU's co-president. Last year, she was the events and sisterhood coordinator and thoroughly enjoyed crafting bonding events for the chapter. Her writing often centers around wellness, but she dabbles in cultural and political commentary.

As a strategic communications student, Meghan is passionate about writing and researching. While her current career aspirations are fuzzy, she would love to explore the world of public relations. On campus, she is a member of SBU's D1 cross country and track team, SBU@SPCA, Jandoli Women in Communication, and College Democrats.

Meghan currently fills her free time by chatting with her friends and rewatching Glee for the fifth time. Although it may be controversial, she is an avid Rachel apologist.