Shriya Week 12: Good Luck Charm
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I have a lucky shirt. And a lucky number. I even have a good luck tradition with my friend that we routinely do before either of us takes a test or is about to do something important (it’s called brain zaps). And, honestly, who doesn’t have these seemingly arbitrary superstitions?
Recently, I was watching a show with my parents, and one of the scenes really stuck with me. When everyone was on the way to an important event, a black cat crossed the street and, without a second thought, they all stopped, turned around, and went back home. Not only that, they blamed the bad luck throughout their day on the black cat, which is truly atrocious because cats are so adorable.
All this to say, superstitions are so deeply woven into our lives, and, believe it or not, they hold a lot of power over how we experience the world around us.
A few weeks ago, after my mom told me not to hand her a pair of scissors directly into her hands because it would cause a fight between us, I found myself looking into the depths of Google for the answer to my questions about superstitions. Are they real, or just a stupid tradition? Why do so many people believe in them? And where do these random beliefs even come from?
And, amid this endless search, I found a TED-Ed video! Answering my questions, it explores how superstitions are not just random; many are rooted in cultural habits or history. Yet, what surprised me the most was its insight on how superstitions, seemingly harmless, actually hold psychological power that can shape our reality. Superstitions like lucky socks or my brain zap tradition with my friend can alter the way we approach challenges.
Basically, believing in them gives us the illusion of control, especially when we’re facing something uncertain like a test or a big game. Just the act of thinking we can influence the outcome through our good luck charms can boost our confidence, and this very confidence can make a real difference in how well we perform.
Superstitions hold a unique power; they appeal to our desire for control in a world that often feels unpredictable and out of our control. Not to say that we all should have and follow superstitions, but they do scientifically shape our actions more than we might realize. So, even though I feel a little irrational sometimes for believing in them, I can’t help but acknowledge that superstitions are psychological tools that can powerfully influence the way we perform and carry ourselves.
I’d love to hear about some superstitions in your life and how they’ve shaped your experiences!
Hi Shriya! I love the idea of good luck charms, which is why I pulled into your blog. When I was younger, I learned that some cultures believed that rabbit feet (separated from the rabbit) could bring good luck strung as an amulet, and promptly enjoyed grossing out all of my friends with my knowledge. Your blog topic is especially relevant with Saint Patrick's day coming up. I absolutely love that you have so many "arbitrary superstitions." Real life can be boring and stressful, and little good luck charms and traditions add a bit of sparkle back to life.
ReplyDeleteSomething I really appreciate is how your last sentence clearly expresses an openness towards hearing other people's experiences: you seem to take the "community-building" aspect of these Blogger assignments seriously! As for myself, I've ascribed good luck powers to too many things in my life: dandelions, lady bugs, pennies (the pennies are extra lucky if they are either super shiny or super dirty). Sometimes I wonder if the good luck has already happened, or is waiting for me somewhere over the rainbow of my future.
I think the key feature of your blogs is your ability to concoct something captivating from your lived experiences. For every blog I read, I feel as if I am getting you know you more as a person, which is quite pleasant. I know you will come out with great blogs on our next topic, memory.
Hello Shriya! I would consider myself to be a slightly superstitious person. Even though I known there is no logic or reason behind this seemingly useless actions, I still find myself following them. For example, whenever my friends say something I do not want to come true, I knock on wood three times. Even though it seems silly or childish, good luck charms can bring a sense of peace and assurance to people. It gives them a sense of control over their actions and can provide safety and assurance. Even if they understand that following certain superstitions will have no impact on the outcome of their actions, the sense of security they provide can be enough to keep going. I enjoyed reading your blog and I hope to read more your work work this semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Shriya! I truly never thought about it this way, and I think it might be because I don't think I have many superstitions? But honestly that just seems wrong to say because even as I say that I'm pretty sure that I do that knocking on wood thing kind of all the time. I'm not going to lie I was slightly confused when I saw your image (before I read your blog) and was honestly debating what a cat had to do with salt and a ladder? Safe to say, I understand those (to some extent) now. Your work made me question how my own little superstitions affect me. I think that it is like the placebo effect to some extent, which is the theory that stems from giving patients fake medicine like sugar tablets and then them actually feeling better. Similarly, maybe superstitions are a way for us to seemingly manifest our wishes, make them our reality. I suppose that is a food for thought! Anyway, I loved the little stories you sprinkled throughout this piece and I look forward to reading more of your work!
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