Walk through TikTok or Twitter lately and you’ll find a very specific kind of energy. It’s loud. It’s unapologetic. People are staring into their front-facing cameras and declaring, "Delusional? Of course I'm delusional." It sounds like a confession. It’s actually a manifesto.
The phrase delusional of course i'm delusional has morphed from a self-deprecating meme into a full-blown lifestyle philosophy. This isn't your parents' "positive thinking" or some dusty "The Secret" law of attraction seminar. It’s grittier. It’s a reaction to a world that feels increasingly out of reach for young people, where the only way to get ahead is to believe in a version of reality that hasn't actually happened yet.
Think about it.
The Birth of "Delulu" Culture
We have to look at the linguistic shift here. The slang "delulu" paved the way. Originally, it was a niche term in K-pop fandoms to describe fans who believed they had a legitimate shot at dating their favorite idols. It was a joke, mostly. But then something shifted around 2023 and 2024. The joke turned into a strategy.
"Delulu is the solulu," people started saying. Basically, if the reality of the economy, the housing market, or your dating life is depressing, just opt out. Create a new one. This isn't a medical diagnosis, and honestly, that's an important distinction to make right away. Clinical delusion is a serious psychological condition—usually involving fixed, false beliefs that don't change even when presented with conflicting evidence, often associated with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. But in the context of the internet, delusional of course i'm delusional is about "manifestation on steroids."
It’s the girl who applies for a job she’s 50% qualified for because she’s convinced she’s already the CEO. It’s the guy who walks into a room acting like he’s the most interesting person there until people start believing him. It’s a performance. And it works surprisingly well.
Why Delusional Of Course I'm Delusional is the New Confidence
Confidence used to be about "fake it until you make it." That feels too timid for the current era. The "delusional" approach is more like "believe it so hard that reality has no choice but to catch up."
Psychologically, there’s a bit of a bridge here to something called "positive illusions." Researchers like Shelley Taylor have studied this for decades. Her work suggests that people with slightly inflated views of their own abilities or prospects actually tend to be more resilient. They try harder. They persist longer. When you say delusional of course i'm delusional, you're essentially giving yourself permission to ignore the "realistic" voice in your head that says you're going to fail.
Realism can be a trap.
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If you’re realistic about the odds of starting a successful business (about 1 in 10 survive long-term), you might never start. If you’re realistic about the odds of becoming a famous creative, you’ll keep your day job forever. Being "delusional" is a survival mechanism for ambition.
The High Stakes of the Digital Mirror
We live in a curated world. Social media isn't real, but the rewards for acting like your life is a movie are very real. This creates a feedback loop. When someone posts a video with the caption delusional of course i'm delusional, they are acknowledging the absurdity of their self-belief while simultaneously inviting their audience to join the fantasy.
It’s a bit like "Main Character Energy."
If you view your life as a scripted drama where you’re the lead, then a setback isn't a failure—it's just a plot point. It’s the "all is lost" moment before the third-act comeback. That mindset is incredibly protective against burnout and depression. You aren't losing; the script just hasn't gotten to the good part yet.
The Problem With Ignoring Reality
Of course, there’s a dark side. We can't talk about this without mentioning the "Luck Girl Syndrome" backlash. People pointed out that being "delusional" is a lot easier when you have a safety net. If you have a wealthy family and you’re "delusional" about your failing startup, you’re just an entrepreneur with a dream. If you’re working three jobs and you’re "delusional" about your rent, you’re in trouble.
There is a fine line between a "growth mindset" and actual denial of systemic issues.
Sometimes, things aren't within your control. You can’t manifest your way out of a global recession or a medical crisis just by saying delusional of course i'm delusional. It’s vital to distinguish between self-empowerment and the "toxic positivity" that blames people for their own misfortune because they didn't "believe" hard enough.
How to Use "Delusional" Energy Without Losing Your Mind
So, how do you actually apply this? You don't want to end up like the characters in those documentaries about failed festivals or crypto scams. You want the benefits of the confidence boost without the catastrophic fall.
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- Targeted Delusion. Don't be delusional about your bank balance; be delusional about your potential to increase it. Know the facts of your situation, but be "delusional" about your ability to change them.
- The "As If" Principle. This is a classic psychological technique. Act as if you are already the person you want to be. How does that person dress? How do they speak? It’s not about lying; it’s about internalizing a new identity.
- Keep an "Evidence Log." This sounds counter-intuitive to being delusional, but it’s actually the fuel. Every time your "delusion" turns into a real-world win, write it down. It makes the next jump of faith easier.
- Find Your "Delulu" Circle. Surrounding yourself with "realists" will kill your momentum. You need people who will say, "That sounds crazy, let's do it."
The Linguistic Evolution
Language moves fast. By the time you read this, delusional of course i'm delusional might have been replaced by a new phrase. But the sentiment won't change. Humans have always needed myths. We’ve always needed to believe in things we couldn't see.
In the 1920s, it was "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better" (the Coué method). In the 80s, it was "Power Poses" and "Dress for Success." Today, it’s being "delulu."
The container changes. The contents are the same. It's the refusal to be defined by current circumstances.
Does it actually work?
Ask any high-performer. Seriously. If you interview Olympic athletes or top-tier CEOs, their level of self-belief often borders on the irrational. They believe they can win even when they are injured or behind. They are, by definition, delusional in those moments. They are rejecting the evidence of their eyes in favor of the vision in their heads.
The phrase delusional of course i'm delusional is just a way for the rest of us to access that same gear. It’s a shortcut to high-performance psychology, wrapped in a self-aware, internet-friendly package.
It’s about "The Audacity."
Having the audacity to want more. Having the audacity to think you're special. In a world that constantly tries to humble people, being "delusional" is an act of rebellion.
Actionable Steps for the "Delusional" Aspirant
If you're ready to embrace the delusional of course i'm delusional lifestyle, don't just post the meme. Change the behavior.
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- Audit your self-talk. Notice how many times a day you "correct" yourself back to a mediocre reality. "I'd love to go to Paris, but I can't afford it." Change it to: "I'm going to Paris; the money is currently figuring out its way to me." It sounds stupid. Do it anyway.
- Visual Displacement. Put yourself in environments that match your "delusion." If you want to be a successful writer, go sit in the lobby of a fancy hotel with your laptop. If you want to be an athlete, hang out where the pros train. Your brain needs sensory data to support the new reality you're building.
- Stop Asking for Permission. Realists ask if they're allowed. Delusional people assume they are invited. Walk into the "V.I.P." section of your own life.
Ultimately, the goal isn't to lose touch with the world. It’s to stop letting the world dictate your internal state. If being a little "delusional" is what it takes to get you out of bed and chasing a dream that everyone else thinks is impossible, then stay delulu.
The world belongs to the people who were crazy enough to think they could change it. History is written by the "delusional" ones who actually pulled it off.
Next time someone tells you you're being unrealistic, just look them in the eye. You know the line. Use it.
Embrace the disconnect.
The space between who you are and who you want to be is where the magic happens. Fill that space with absolute, unwavering, and—yes—delusional confidence.
Check your environment today. If every person in your inner circle is a "realist," you are likely being held back by their limitations, not your own. Seek out one person this week who has achieved something you consider "impossible" and ask them how they viewed themselves before they became successful. You will almost certainly find a history of "delusional" thinking that predates their actual achievements.
Start building your "delusion" on the foundation of daily habits. If you believe you are a world-class artist, you must produce art daily. The delusion provides the spark; the discipline provides the fuel. Without the work, it’s just a daydream. With the work, it’s a destiny.
Stop playing small. The "delusional" path is crowded at the bottom but empty at the top. Choose to be the one who didn't listen to the math. Choose to be the one who believed the impossible was just a scheduled event.
Believe it until it’s boring. When your "delusional" dream finally becomes your everyday reality, you’ll realize that the only crazy thing was ever doubting yourself in the first place. This is the core of the movement. It’s not about losing your mind; it’s about finding your power.