The Rise of ‘Delulu’: Why Delusional Optimism Is the New Self-Care

Imagine this: You’re flat broke, single, and your room looks like a crime scene. But in your mind? You’re the next CEO of a billion-dollar skincare brand, dating Pedro Pascal, and about to be whisked away to a secret island for a Vogue interview. Sound a bit... delusional? Good. Because that’s the point.

Welcome to the era of "delulu", where being delusional is no longer a mental health concern—it’s a vibe, a movement, a self-care strategy for the emotionally exhausted and chronically online. What started as a TikTok inside joke has now evolved into a full-blown philosophy of life, love, career, and coping.

Delulu is the solulu, darling. And we’re here for it.
The term “delulu” is a cutesy truncation of “delusional,” birthed and raised in the chaotic halls of K-pop fandoms, where fans would say things like, “I know Jungkook is going to marry me. I’m delulu, but it’s okay.” Over time, this innocent fangirl dreamscape mutated into something more radical—and oddly practical.

In 2023 and 2024, TikTok and stan Twitter repackaged “delulu” as a strategy for manifesting your dream life. But instead of vision boards and affirmations, it’s pure, unfiltered belief in absurd realities. It’s “acting like the main character” on a budget of $4.75. It’s deciding you are that girl—even when your circumstances loudly disagree.

In short: Delulu is unapologetic, unfiltered self-belief with a sprinkle of comedic denial.

Let’s be real: the world is on fire—literally and figuratively. Climate change is cooking us, AI might take our jobs, dating is a hellscape, rent is a scam, and most of us are either broke, burnt out, or emotionally buffering.

So what do we do when everything sucks and therapy is $150 an hour?

We get delulu.

Delulu is the Gen Z and late-millennial answer to existential dread. It’s the younger sibling of toxic positivity, but with a self-aware smirk. Where traditional self-care said “go to the gym and hydrate,” delulu says “go buy that glitter eyeshadow and strut like you’re Rihanna.”

It’s not about denial—it’s about survival with style. In a culture obsessed with hustle and hyper-productivity, delulu offers permission to imagine better without needing proof.
Yes and no.
While both are rooted in the idea of positive thinking and belief in potential, delulu is manifestation’s chaotic, campy cousin. Manifestation asks you to align your thoughts with your goals, to visualize and attract abundance. Delulu says, “I already AM a billionaire girlboss, I’m just waiting for the universe to catch up.”

Think of it like this:


Delulu is essentially manifestation with a tiara and a little bit of crackhead energy. It doesn’t wait for signs. It declares reality before reality has a chance to argue.

Let’s look at how delulu plays out across different areas of life. Because yes, it’s a lifestyle.

Delulu is everywhere. It’s in your diary. It’s in your walk. It’s in your “girl dinner” made of pickles and cheese cubes. And it’s kind of… working?
Believe it or not, delulu isn’t just meme-fodder—it actually taps into some solid psychological territory. Experts (and Twitter therapists) suggest that delusional thinking, in moderation, can act as a form of positive dissociation. That is: a way for the brain to escape stressors by creating an alternate, more hopeful narrative.

In fact, delulu is a trauma response—but make it cute.

By telling yourself you're destined for greatness even when life looks bleak, you’re tricking your brain into resilience. It’s not that far off from placebo effects or even certain CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) strategies, which promote reframing negative thoughts.

So, is delulu delusional? Technically yes. But it’s functional delusion—and honestly, that’s kind of impressive.
Of course, not everyone’s on board. Some people argue that delulu thinking encourages escapism and detachment from reality, potentially leading to disappointment or worse, self-sabotage.

“Isn’t this just denial with sparkles?”
Valid question.

But here’s the thing: the delulu crowd knows it’s ridiculous. That’s the charm. It’s like cosplay for your future self. No one’s fully convinced they’re the next Rihanna—they just act like it until it no longer feels impossible.

And honestly? In a world that rewards confidence and vibes over credentials, delulu might not be that delusional after all.

If you’re intrigued and ready to dive into delululand, here’s your starter kit:

Decide who you are in your internal movie. Are you a tortured artist? A future tech mogul? A misunderstood genius? Pick your lane.

Wear the outfit. Talk the talk. Make playlists for your imagined life. Act like the universe is just lagging behind.

Yes, pay your bills and go to work. But don’t let facts interfere with your narrative. That rejection? The universe redirecting you to a better timeline.

Make delulu memes. Share with friends. Build a delulu friend group where everyone hypes each other up in nonsense.

A little detachment is healthy. Total disconnection? Not so much. Make sure your delusions still let you function IRL.

In the end, delulu isn’t about lying to yourself. It’s about giving yourself permission to hope, dream, and believe—especially when the world is determined to humble you. It’s the scrappy, glittery antidote to burnout and beige adulthood.
So if you see someone strutting like they own the world, talking to the moon about their Grammy speech, or manifesting a yacht with $7 in their bank account, don’t judge them.

They’re not crazy. They’re just delulu.
And maybe—just maybe—that’s the most rational thing we’ve got right now.

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