The belief that “if you think it, it will come” has long been popular among the young and hopeful. Now it has another name: delulu – as in delusional.

This viral phrase, “delulu is the solulu”, is all about finding solutions by keeping an optimistic and imaginative mindset. It’s like saying, “Being a bit dreamy or hopeful can be the solution to life’s challenges.” 

What started as a TikTok trend this viral phrase has become a new trend in manifesting! Perhaps, by romanticising small aspects of one’s life it makes the other more serious aspects more bearable or it gives us the strength to pursue even our wildest dreams. 

When my daughter shared this phrase with me I had to get to the bottom of it and realised that the idea, according to TikTok, was that people ought to set wild expectations for themselves – and convince their minds to believe in themselves. This applies to our careers, relationships, mental wellbeing – anything can make you delulu if you want it badly enough.

To me, being delulu means having so much self-confidence and self-assurance that you completely refuse to believe anything else! It means showing up to life with radical optimism and joy, and to keep going even when all odds are stacked against you! 

Coming from an acquired organisation in a merger I felt I was delulu enough to convince myself that not only will I survive but I will take my new organisation to unimaginable heights (and I did!). 

So yes, I do believe being delulu is the only solulu!

(This article first appeared on the WiP page on 2nd Sept 2024. I am the founder of WiP which is a cohort of like minded talented women who help each other grow in a fun filled, judgement free manner!)