Why you really have more bad luck on Friday the 13th
For some people, it's really a moment to swallow when they see in their calendar that it's Friday the 13th . For others, it's just an ordinary Friday, but with a bit more drama. One thing is certain: this superstition keeps coming back – on social media, in workplaces, and in group chats. But how bad is Friday the 13th really?
In Italy, it's the 17th, in Spain it's Tuesday
Fun fact: Friday the 13th it's not a universal day of bad luck at all. In Italy, they prefer to avoid Friday the 17th, and in Spain, they consider Tuesday the 13th a day to not get out of bed. Why? Simple: culture, religion, and history all play a role in these fears. So it's mainly about what you grew up with. Whether you drink Italian espresso or eat Dutch sprinkles: bad luck is mainly what you make of it.
Do we really have more bad luck on Friday the 13th?
Believe it or not, but there are studies (like those from the British Medical Journal) that show that indeed more accidents happen on Friday the 13th . But spoiler: it's not about the day, it's about us. We're so focused on 'what can go wrong' that we actually take more risks or become inattentive. Psychologists call this a form of. self-fulfilling prophecy If you are convinced that Friday the 13th brings bad luck, you will unconsciously confirm that. You stub your toe more often, forget your keys, or misread a message which leads to an argument. It's not in fate, it's in your mindset..
Friday the 13th and the effect of your brain.
Think of the effect of
full moon on our sleep. Or the power of affirmations and manifesting. Everything you say to yourself has an impact. If you think: “Today everything will go wrong,” then you are literally already 2–0 behind. You focus on the wrong things, your brain is on high alert, and that can negatively affect your whole vibe. The good news: this works the other way around too. See Friday the 13th as a kind of secret lucky day – you turn the whole energy around.
Superstition or self-sabotage?.
What many people don't realize is that superstition is actually a milder form of
self-sabotage . You undermine your own day, your own flow, purely because you have come to believe something that is based on… nothing. And you often make it heavier for the people around you. Because your stress is contagious, and before you know it, your whole team at work is in a 'watch out for accidents' bubble.. Better idea? Turn it around. Make the 13th your fixed ‘I-get-everything-done-day’. Wear red, order something nice, plan something special. Maybe you'll even start looking forward to Friday the 13th.
A little mystery is allowed.
Of course, we also like a bit of mystique. The tension surrounding Friday the 13th, the horror movies that play into it, the memes and TikToks – all of that is welcome. As long as you don't let it determine your day.
And let's be honest: how fun is it to give that one day of the year just a little extra attention? If you embrace it, it almost becomes a party.
The best (and scariest) movies about Friday the 13th.
Friday the 13th (1980)
- – The classic slasher film with Jason and his hockey mask. Not for the faint-hearted. Friday the 13th: Part II to Part X.
- – Yes really, there are more than ten. Bad? Sometimes. Iconic? Always. Happy Death Day (2017).
- – No Jason, but a girl who relives her murder day over and over. Darkly comedic and surprisingly fun. Final Destination (series).
- – Not literally about Friday the 13th, but everything revolves around premonitions and inevitable bad luck. The Number 23 (2007).
- – Jim Carrey in a rare dark role, obsessed with the number 23. Different, but fits perfectly in this list. Proven: you have more bad luck on Friday the 13th.
Source: British Medical Journal
