Imagine a world brimming with unicorns, a universe where we can effortlessly fly, or a world without academic stress. Seems impossible, doesn’t it? Yet, somehow, merely contemplating these possibilities is enough to brighten up one’s day.

Gen Z is known for playing around with words, conjuring baseless, unique words from their imagination and hyping them up until everyone is a witness to their invention. Moreover, their linguistic creativity can transform the most ordinary word into a symbol for the generation. Out of hundreds of such fervent campaigns, one phrase stands out:

‘Delulu is the solulu.’ 

A phrase that sounds like mere babble has since turned into a captivating emblem for Gen Z’s audacious approach to life. A phrase that began in the realms of Twitter and has become a key for the dreamers—a vision into the realm of imagination. The word “delulu” appears as a short form of the word delusions, infusing it with a distinctive flair, reclaiming the word from its negative connotations. But what is the reason for the popularity of the word?

The word may seem like a mere joke. However, to people, it serves as the motivation for their dreams. It is an anthem, pun intended, for those who refuse to be limited by the ordinary. The phrase inculcates a sense of surrealism in one and encourages them to nurture their dreams. It empowers them to chase their wildest dreams, sowing the seeds for reality. From laughing at Twitter users for joking about everything to believing in the phrase, I have witnessed its transformative powers. Now, for the longest time, I believe it has taken over my personality (guilty as charged). The past few months of taking exams and coping with A-level chaos, it has emerged as a beacon of hope through neverending panic.

A prime example which I vividly recall is those midnight moments— when thoughts of exam results would send my heart into somersaults, and set my mind in a whirl. Yet, at that very instant, my self-assured alter ego, fueled by the phrase, “Why expect anything less than A*s?”, would silence the anxiety (trauma dump?). The relief would be enough to engage my mind in something else, eventually staying away from the negativity.

One more time, funnily enough, I thought I would make it to TLC (I was delusional) but guess what? I did make it. Interesting, isn’t it?

Yes, I agree that it sounds audacious and maybe exaggerated, but trust me, it works wonders. In the dimly lit and dreary corridors of stress, it serves as a flickering light of hope. When one dreams about a thing, they provide themselves with a vision for their imagination. This thought holds such importance and significance that, in the attempt to achieve it, one works tirelessly for it. In a world where depression and ‘flop era’ is endemic, where masses are affected by anxiety and fear of the unknown or failure, those who can ignore negativity potentially survive. 

Faking does not mean turning a blind eye to reality; it’s about acknowledging the truth while accentuating the brighter aspects of life. Instead of succumbing to stress, one should appreciate positive thoughts, thus working with a happy and healthy mind. Such people demonstrate a completely different approach in life— mustering self-confidence, assurance, and belief—and proceed to win in life. Hence, a little escape from reality into the world of delusions is never harmful.

However, we do believe in boundaries. Excessiveness can always be detrimental. Ignoring reality entirely just through a delusion where all is rainbows and sunshine will lead you to depression and disillusionment. This is not a case of being delusional; rather, it is escaping reality. Believing in such an alternate reality might provide temporary relief; however, when life’s challenges hit hard, these delusions cannot cushion the fall, resulting in a harsh awakening.

For instance, consider a mediocre example of a student who does not study yet anticipates exceptional grades. This scenario reaffirms the concept of being delusional, which doesn’t mean ignoring reality but accepting the positivity of the situation and dreaming big. In essence, being mindful of the fine line between optimism and impracticality is essential (this is why people have different personalities for each social media site). It is also crucial to understand that to materialize these delusions, one has to put in immense hard work. One needs to concentrate on the light at the end of the tunnel. By focusing on that glimmer of light, they can navigate through the dark and challenging times within the tunnel, knowing (or deluding themselves that) they will eventually reach their destination. In the famous words of Albus Dumbledore:

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

So let’s don our delulu hats and navigate our way through this storm of challenges, ensuring each delusion paves its way into reality!

And may all your delulu come trululu!

By Annia Bilal
Writer (Team 2023-2024)

Note: the views expressed in the article solely belong to the writer and do not reflect TLC.