Happy Friday the 13th. We’re flipping this superstitious day on its head and talking all about luck, this month’s theme.
Beyond the fun, mystical symbolism—four-leaf clovers, rainbows, leprechauns—luck can manifest in real ways through confidence, joy, security, hope, and gratitude. Like pausing to appreciate the sunlight streaming through your window or feeling optimistic about a project you’re working on. Recognizing the ways life supports us is, in itself, a form of luck.
There are undoubtedly moments of serendipity that strike when you’re in the right place at the right time. But we also believe in the power of creating your own luck as a conscious practice: noticing small pockets of possibility and progress, even when life feels unfair.
In this Stretch Break, we’re sharing activities, creative practices, and mindset shifts to help you reframe challenges and focus on what you can influence. This isn’t to suggest you force happiness through toxic positivity. Working through frustration, disappointment, and grief are just as important as celebrating wins. These exercises are simply here to help you look at your experiences through a more positive lens.
Your task: Try reframing negative thoughts this month with an affirmational spin. For example:
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“I’m so behind.” → I’m on my own timeline, and I can focus on what’s in front of me today.
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“This is too much.” → I don’t have to solve everything, I just need to take one step.
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“Nothing is working in my favor.” → I can increase my opportunities by putting myself in more rooms and conversations.
Now, let’s get started on creating your luck🍀
Recreate this Mood Board for yourself:
- Plan a connection sidequest to raise your odds of fortuity
- Dress like the room where you feel the luckiest
- Build a charm bracelet from tiny treasures
- Write down five “impossible dreams” then move the needle
- Stack the deck with this positive morning mantra
- Embrace whimsy and press play on a Wonderland remix
- Reframe rejection as protection
- Manifest like a pop princess
- Explore the different kinds of luck
Life, unplugged
🍀Spend a month ‘luck spotting’
You might not believe you’re lucky…yet. Instead of dwelling on what’s not going your way, train your brain to catch sight of the happy accidents and coincidences that usually go unnoticed.
How to do it:
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Open your notes app or a small notebook
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Title it “luck spots” or something fun with a bunch of emojis
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Whenever something feels lucky, jot it down
Examples:
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Finding a $5 bill on the sidewalk
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Running into someone you were just thinking about
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Getting a helpful tip at the right moment
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Your favorite coffee shop being open when you need it
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Hearing a song that matches your mood
Include a sentence about how it made you feel: “There was no one in line at the post office. The unexpected ease turned my whole day around!” Review weekly, observing small patterns.
At the end of the month, ask yourself: Did these lucky moments come from chance or from the ways I showed up, paid attention, and put myself out in the world?
Familiar comforts
🍽️Build a plate of prosperity
Across cultures, everyday foods are tied to luck, abundance, and long life. Choose one “lucky” food below and set an intention as you eat:
🥬Leafy greens are associated with wealth and abundance in many cultures because of their color. Toss a handful of fresh herbs into your salad, sandwich, or eggs. As you take the first bite, think about one area in your career, community, or relationships where you want to grow.
🍊Oranges symbolize luck and prosperity in Lunar New Year traditions. Drop a bright slice of citrus to your water or tea. Give it a swirl, pinpoint a challenge you’d like to resolve, and imagine the first step you could take toward a solution.
🍞Bread has long symbolized nourishment and security. Upgrade your morning toast with a drizzle of honey, a forkful of pickled veggies, or a dash of cinnamon. Ask yourself: What habit or practice can I tend to this week to feel more grounded, secure, or abundant?
🍜Noodles represent a long, full life in many Asian cultures. The next time you’re enjoying ramen or pasta, reflect on where you want to welcome more creativity, joy, or adventure in your life.
🌰Seeds represent future possibilities and growth. Add chia, pumpkin, or sunflower seeds onto your yogurt, oatmeal, or salad. As you do, envision one goal you’re planting for the future.
Help desk
📩Practice saying ‘yes’ more often
Luck grows from curiosity, exposure, and the willingness to try before you feel fully ready. The more you put yourself out there, the more you extend your luck runway.
Start with small, everyday actions that expand your visibility and connections:
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Strike up a conversation with your barista
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Take a day trip to somewhere new
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Say yes to an unexpected invitation instead of flaking
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Share your work more publicly with your network
These little choices build momentum. We often hold back from trying new things or asking for what we want because the odds feel slim or the timing isn’t perfect. Stop convincing yourself the answer will always be ‘no.’ Ask anyway. Once you trust in yourself, you can make high-impact requests that have the potential to open doors.
Try these steps when making a bold request:
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Frame asks as a win-win. Show how it could benefit both sides.
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Be specific and confident. Clarity helps others say yes.
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Remove pressure. Ask, but don’t guilt.
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Prepare for any answer. Sometimes just asking is the hardest part.
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Follow up gracefully. Persistence is part of creating your own luck.
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Reframe rejection. Is this moment about your worth or your bravery?
Remember: Visibility is the first step in making something real. You have to be seen to receive.
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Reader insights
☀️ Find optimism on the hard days
A third of women in our audience say they feel optimistic about the year ahead. For many, that optimism isn’t constant. It’s a choice they return to, over and over, even on difficult days. One response stood out when we asked what people are looking forward to in 2026:
“Depending on the day, I may be optimistic or pessimistic. I would say most days I opt for optimism and letting go of negative feelings about what 2026 holds. I’m looking forward to continuing my life journey in healing, loving others, and hopeful for a successful fertility story. On the hard days, I will choose to send love out in the world…even if only in small amounts. Sending blessings and love❤️”
Choosing light and hope often starts with intentional acts of kindness—both inward and outward. These resources can help you cultivate that mindset:
