Why It’s Good To Be A Little
DELUSIONAL Sometimes
We often associate the word “delusional” with negativity. Thinking it’s something we shan’t do.
Well… that’s true. But first off, what does “delusion” mean?
Okay, so we’re not going to dive into the deep, fancy schmancy part of science.
Delusion is a strongly held belief that is either false or is completely disconnected from the current reality. Delusions can touch on different aspects of life, like relationships, careers, personal abilities, or even having grandiose visions of success. There are some types of delusion that can somehow benefit us, and there are some that are harmful to our mental and emotional well-being.
One of the many serious cases of delusion—or delusional disorders—is called erotomania, sometimes referred to as a delusion of love. This condition involves individuals holding a fixed false belief that someone, often of higher social or celebrity status, is in love with them. If this seems familiar to you, you might have encountered this concept of delusion in the fourth season of You, the Netflix series. We’re talking Joe Goldberg here.
But before we get to the point, there’s one more thing we’d like to share.
A Delusional Fanbase in the Philippines
There’s this fandom in the Philippines called AlDub Nation; this is the fanbase of one of the most famous celebrity “love teams” in the Philippines—Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza—since love teams are a big thing in the Philippine media and entertainment industry. This love team accidentally started way back in 2015 at a noontime show. Their chemistry as a pair was so over-the-top that fans went crazy for it. The fanbase grew bigger and bigger as the pair got more talked about on Philippine TV.
Long story short, the pair eventually disbanded as a “love team” in the entertainment industry in 2019 to pursue solo projects, which left the fans devastated.
But it’s crazy that even up to the year 2023, some people in this fanbase believe that Alden and Maine are in a real relationship; some even think that they are married and have twins, all because of a picture where they are holding someone else’s babies.
And no, it’s not just some sort of rumor for them, they genuinely think it’s real. They persistently push this narrative; it’s as if this idea is deeply ingrained in their minds and won’t fade away. But the truth is, the two were never in a relationship; that was all for the show.
The most unsettling aspect is that, months after Maine got engaged to her boyfriend Arjo Atayde in July 2022, some members of the fanbase (mostly women in their 30s to 60s) organized a gathering to celebrate the AlDub love team, even though one of them was literally on the verge of getting married. They can’t come to terms with the reality that their idols aren’t together in real life; the level of their delusion just gets deeper.
Here’s a video of the “fans” wearing their custom-made fandom shirts and holding up candles to celebrate the no longer existing love team, saying “Mabuhay and AlDub Nation! Mabuhay si Alden! Mabuhay si Maine!” which translates to “Long live the AlDub Nation! Long live Alden! Long live Maine!”
@itsbekiganda MABUHAAAAAY!!! #aldub #alden #maine #aldubnation #aldubnatics #yayadub #pinoy #ph #cult
♬ Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift
These videos went viral on social media and the people of the internet have spoken.
“Oh my god! What cult is this?!”
“This is getting creepier not gonna lie…”
“This AlDub cult is really disturbing. THEY NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP.”
What is up with the AlDub fans creating a "cult"?
by u/MarkXT9000 in OutOfTheLoop
Even Maine Mendoza herself called these “fans” delusional for basically overstepping in their personal lives, forcing them to get together.
These kinds of situations are reasons why the word delusional gets a bad rep.
But nope, that is not the kind of delusion we’re talking about in this article at all. It’s more like a concept of delusional confidence. Which, if we really think about it, is actually about ambition and not delusion anymore. This can also be interconnected with the concept of the Law of Assumption, but that’s another topic for another time.
It is true that being actually delusional is not good for a person’s mental and emotional well-being. But we’re here to talk about why having a little delusion can be good sometimes; we’re not implying that it’s solely beneficial all the time.
Delulu Internet Slang
Delulu is the solulu.
The term delulu has become a thing on social media. Being delulu or delusional is now a Gen Z trend for hacking career success. Apparently, it started as a dating trend before it became a career psychology hack.
In the context of dating, it’s a mindset of stubbornly holding onto the possibility that someone might be interested in you despite all indications on the contrary.
@nanurizvi3 ♬ original sound – Nanu
And when applied to careers, Gen Z folks trick themselves into genuinely believing they deserve their dream jobs by faking their confidence so well that they would sometimes actually end up achieving those goals.
Most people use this term playfully; it has somehow become one of those things on social media that gives people the feeling of being ‘cool’ and keeping up with the trend. They adopt this “stay delulu or you’ll never get anywhere” mindset.
As Thewizardliz said in one of her pep talk videos on YouTube,
Become so delusional. If you could go into my mind and see what i think i can accomplish, you’d call me crazy today. But the people that called me crazy before for what I have accomplished right now are all saying “oh wow she actually did it”
Thewizardliz is a Gen Z guru who mainly talks about confidence, self-love, and empowerment.
@thewizardliz ♬ original sound – Thewizardliz
But as prevalent as this term is, delulu actually has a different history that most people do not know of. It originated within the K-pop community way back 2014, initially used as a negative label thrown to fans who harbor delusional beliefs about ending up with their favorite idols and investing an unhealthy amount of time and energies into these fantasies. It could mean as a teasing or a joke. Depends really on how it was said and who says it.
The internet slang became even more popular after countless ‘hopeless romantic’ love songs went viral on TikTok. Songs like Ceilings by Lizzy McAlpine and Beautiful Stranger by Laufey, which are certified King Kat’s favorites, became so relatable to TikTok audience.
@lizzymcalpine all my delusional girlies hey
♬ ceilings – Sped Up Version – Lizzy McAlpine
Anyway, if you’re looking for a delulu playlist on Spotify, King Kat has got you.
King Kat’s Delulu Spotify Playlist
Most people have their little delusions in their own unique ways, and you might be no exception. Here are some delusional situations that might sound familiar to you.
Delusional Situations
Think of that someone who swears they have a foolproof plan for getting rich quick, investing in various schemes that rarely succeed. The same person who never went to a university or college, and worse, doesn’t even have the will to learn skills for a potential career in the future. Yet, despite repeated disappointments, they continue to chase after the elusive “get-rich-quick” dream. They were so certain that they would get their dream car and have all the pleasures in the world without working for it.
See how an excessive level of delusion can affect a person’s life? Well yes, some get lucky in these types of situations. Cannot be more happy for them.
Here’s another one.
We all have that friend who creates an entire love story in their mind with someone they barely know. They see a stranger across the room, and suddenly, their eyes light up with heart emojis, convinced that this person is their soulmate. They imagine romantic dates, long walks on the beach, and even having children together.
That friend who’s already thinking about what they would look like together as a couple when they’re 98, even when they just had a two-second tops eye contact with a stranger on a train.
Alexa, play Beautiful Stranger by Laufey and Ceilings by Lizzy McAlpine.
Perhaps you are that someone. Maybe you’ve caught yourself daydreaming about these pretty strangers, or becoming the next big influencer, visualizing millions of followers hanging on to your every word. Or maybe you’ve entertained the idea of starting a business and becoming an overnight success.
At first glance, these dreams may appear delusional to other people. But what if there’s a deeper significance to them? What if there’s value in a touch of delusion? Perhaps this strong self-belief, even if it may seem a bit irrational to others, is the only thing that can make us to the top.
In terms of wellness, there are instances when being a little delusional can work wonders for our mental and emotional health. But, as with all things, of course being delusional has its limits. And so the question remains: why is it good for a person to be a little delusional sometimes?
Important Note: When we say “delusion” in this article, we’re referring to delusional confidence, which is almost close to the concept of ambition and lighthearted daydreaming. We’re talking about the “delulu” trend rather than the real delusional disorder. If you think you’re experiencing serious delusions, we recommend that you seek advice from a professional.
Confidence and Self-Esteem
Being delulu can boost our confidence and self-esteem. When our mind is composed of a positive narrative, we are more likely to be open to new challenges. It makes us want to step out of our comfort zones. This can lead to personal growth and the discovery of hidden talents and strengths.
Delusion, when used in moderation, can be a powerful tool in setting and achieving our goals. Visualizing our dreams as if they’re already a reality can fuel our determination and creativity. It’s not about ignoring reality, but rather using the power of positive thinking to overcome obstacles and turn our aspirations into tangible achievements.
That touch of delusion might be the only thing that keeps us going, allowing us to work harder despite the annoying existence of the naysayers.
Coping with Stress and Anxiety
We have all experienced feeling so overwhelmed in life that sometimes being delusional is the only thing left to do. Delusion can serve as a coping mechanism. Maintaining that positive narrative in our minds or imagining a positive outcome even in the face of uncertainty can reduce stress and anxiety. It allows us to see the silver lining, and help us stay calm and logical no matter how challenging the situation may be.
The “It is what it is” thinking and trying to stay optimistic are the delusional mindsets we strive to adopt when coping with stress and anxiety. Believing that everything will eventually work out for the best can significantly impact our well-being.
You know what? Failure will always be there. But a touch of delusion might help us view failure as a temporary setback, rather than thinking it’s the end of the world.
Creative Expression
Allowing ourselves to be a little delusional can fuel our creativity and imagination. By thinking outside the box and believing in unconventional ideas, we open ourselves to innovative solutions and artistic breakthroughs that one day might lead us to bigger career opportunities.
Consider a time when you felt stuck on a creative project. With a touch of delusion, you let your imagination run wild, and you then realized that this way of thinking just worked out best for you to create something bizarre, in a good way.
When can we consider delusion a bad thing?
When it’s all you do. When it’s all you think about.
You think of these unrealistic situations and actually think you’re living that life at the moment, without really working for it.
So if you’re planning to get into fitness, go out. Move your body. Don’t just wait for it to magically become fit and healthy.
Learn new skills related to the career that you’ve always dreamed of. Just imagining that you’re already the CEO will get you nowhere.
Ask the person you like if they like you back; assuming that they don’t like you is so not giving. Like, come on. The year is 2023 you guys.
But make sure that person’s single before telling ’em. Wink wink.
Research and learn first about business fundamentals before building one. Immediately creating a business just because you saw it in an ad or in a TikTok video isn’t the best thing to do. Equip yourself with deep knowledge first.
What we’re trying to say is, just start doing what you’ve always wanted to do—and do it step by step. And while you’re taking the steps to make something happen, you can then start adopting this delulu mindset to boost your confidence, making you the most productive you’ve ever been. Everyone thinks you’re delusional until you pull it off.
When you’re still starting out on something that interests you, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re still a beginner. You’ll prolly disappoint yourself if you set high expectations every damn time. Don’t be too delulu to the point that you expect your journey to become successful overnight. Because as we always like to say, nothing worth having comes easy. So give yourself a pat on the back, and acknowledge every progress that you make.
Sometimes, things just aren’t meant for us.
If you feel like you already gave your all, and a little self-delusion wasn’t enough to help you reach your goals… at least you tried. There’s always no harm in trying. It’s better to try and fail than not try at all, leaving you with “what if” thoughts that will end up being something you’ll regret later on. It could also be a sign that the thing you’ve been wanting isn’t meant for you. It could be a redirection. That phrase isn’t very pleasing to hear, no?
As repeatedly mentioned in this blog post, having this delulu mindset can be beneficial, but it has its limits. It’s about finding that sweet spot—a healthy balance of delusion and reality.
Being overly delusional can blind us to potential risks and prevent us from making rational decisions. Worst case, it could even lead to a delusional disorder. This is a very important thing to be aware of.
On the other hand, if you have no (delusional) confidence at all, this can make you doubt yourself, resulting in you not loving what you’re doing—or simply failing. Might be hard to get out of that imposter syndrome. That is why it’s crucial to strike a balance between optimism and realism to ensure a healthy approach to life.
Being a little delusional is okay as long as you are aware of it.
The AlDub craze serves as proof of why we have to be self-aware when we’re delusional.
Being delulu is okay, as long as you only use it as a tool to become more passionate about your goals or if you’re having a lighthearted daydreaming moment.
All we really need to do is have a healthy dose of delusion and reality. There’s really no black and white here.
The information provided in this article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment in any way. You acknowledge and agree that King Kat shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage resulting from the use of, or reliance on, any information in the article.
Katarina Rachel is the founder of King Kat and also one of its content writers and editors. A multipassionate who is a fashion stylist and blogger, musician-producer, solopreneur, social commentator, and former social media manager-marketer, with a huge enthusiasm for lifestyle, wellness, online careers, entrepreneurship, controversies, philosophy, and social media.
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