Delulu Is the New Normal: How Influencers Are Rewiring Gen Z’s Reality (For Better or Worse)
If you’ve ever said “I’m living in my delulu era” while fully believing your main character moment is coming — same. Welcome to the club.
Delulu (short for delusional) started off as a playful TikTok joke. Now? It’s a whole mindset. And in a world curated by influencers, luxury vlogs, aesthetic morning routines, and soft life girlies, the line between manifestation and mental gymnastics is getting blurrier by the scroll.
Let’s talk about it.
What Does “Delulu” Even Mean?
In Gen Z slang, being “delulu” means living in a fantasy — imagining scenarios that haven’t happened (yet), believing in a version of your life that looks better than your current reality, and acting like it’s already yours.
Examples:
Acting like you’re rich even though your bank account says otherwise
Manifesting your “future bae” even though you haven’t left your house in 3 days
Romanticizing your walk to your 9–5 like it’s a Vogue documentary
It’s funny, it’s fun, and let’s be honest — it’s sometimes the only thing getting us through late-stage capitalism.
Influencer Culture & The Delulu Dilemma
The internet is a highlight reel. We know that. But influencers have taken it to a whole new level — and Gen Z is watching.
We’re constantly fed:
That Girl routines at 5AM
$50 matcha and designer skincare
Solo trips to Europe with no job in sight
“Soft life” aesthetics without the context
23-year-olds buying homes with “just a little hustle” (and probably generational wealth)
The more we scroll, the more we start asking:
“Why doesn’t my life look like that?”
And that’s when delulu turns from harmless fun into a mental trap.
The Double-Edged Sword of Delulu
The Good Side 🌟
Boosts confidence: Believing in unrealistic outcomes can push you toward goals you’d normally be too scared to chase.
Copes with chaos: Life is messy. A little delulu is like bubble wrap for the brain.
Romanticizes the mundane: Making your iced coffee feel like a lifestyle? Go off.
Fuel for ambition: Sometimes acting like you're already there helps you actually get there.
The Dark Side 🌑
Creates unrealistic expectations: Not everyone can live like an influencer, and that’s okay.
Triggers comparison and shame: When your “reality” doesn’t match the fantasy, it can feel like you’re failing.
Financial pressure: Keeping up with digital Joneses is expensive — and unnecessary.
Emotional burnout: Constantly chasing a curated life can make your real one feel empty.
5 Ways to Stay Grounded in the Age of Delulu
Because yes, you can dream big and stay sane.
1. Reality Check > Comparison Spiral
Before you feel behind, remember: what you’re seeing is edited. Most influencers don’t show the 90% of life that’s boring, broke, or chaotic.
2. Make “Delulu” Work for You
Use it as a tool, not an escape. Let your fantasy inspire action — not avoidance.
3. Set Goals That Actually Feel Good
Instead of chasing someone else’s aesthetic, define your own. What does your soft life look like — not TikTok’s?
4. Unfollow the Overwhelm
If someone’s content consistently makes you feel like you're not enough, mute or unfollow. Your mental peace > their “clean girl” brand.
5. Celebrate Small Wins Like They’re Luxury Launches
You made your bed? Romanticize it. You went for a walk? Cue the cinematic music. Real life is valid — even when it’s simple.
Final Thoughts: Stay a Little Delulu, But Stay You
Being delulu isn’t the problem — losing yourself in someone else’s fantasy is. Gen Z is allowed to dream, manifest, and romanticize. But we also deserve rest, reality, and self-worth that isn’t tied to going viral or going broke trying to look rich.
So live your main character life. Pretend you’re the CEO of a lifestyle brand if it gets you through the week. Just don’t forget: the most powerful flex is being real, not perfect.
#DeluluEra #GenZRealityCheck #MainCharacterEnergy #RomanticizeResponsibly #InfluencerFatigue
