Unlucky Day

Turn back the clock and forget about any bad luck that happened throughout the previous year and leave everything behind on Unlucky Day. It’s the day for looking forward to what’s ahead and getting rid of anything unfortunate!

History of Unlucky Day

The idea of luck goes back far in human history and has developed in different ways throughout various cultures. For instance, in Chinese culture, the number 4 is considered unlucky which may be because of the fact that the number is a homophone for the word that means death. And in Western culture, the idea of opening an umbrella indoors has been considered unlucky, which may be due to its ability to insult the sun god.

In the English language, the term “luck” probably came from the term “luc” or “gheluc” meaning good fortune in Middle Dutch, which was probably used in relation to gambling practices and having a lucky streak.

Many people have often considered Friday the 13th to be unlucky, a day that comes about two or three times a year on rotating dates. But Unlucky Day always falls at the very end of the year, making it a sort of capstone for the entire 364 previous days.

How to Celebrate Unlucky Day

Despite the name, Unlucky Day doesn’t have to feel like something bad. Celebrate and enjoy the day with some of these ideas:

Watch a Movie About Being Unlucky

Enjoy the observance of Unlucky Day by choosing a story to watch that is related to luck (or the lack of). Consider seeing one of these films in honor of the day:

• Just My Luck (2006). An American romantic comedy, this one stars Lindsay Lohan who has a charmed life until she kisses a stranger and receives all of his bad luck.
• Luck (2022). This animated film offers some fun insight into the balance between good luck and bad luck.
• Good Luck Chuck (2007). Dane Cook and Jessica Alba star in this romantic comedy film about a man who learns that his ex-girlfriends always find their true love after breaking up with him.
• It Could Happen to You (1994). This throwback film with Nick Cage and Bridget Fonda tells a story that was inspired by a real life event. When a customer leaves half of a lottery ticket as a tip for a waitress, and then the ticket wins, some chaos ensues.

Practice Self Reflection

Even those people who are not particularly superstitious can celebrate Unlucky Day, using it as an important time to take a look at and reflect on the previous year.

Perhaps it would be a good exercise to write some journal entries about the previous year while making resolutions and setting goals for the year that is coming up. Or maybe it would be a good idea to check in with a life coach or motivational counselor to cleanse what is behind and move forward to what’s ahead following Unlucky Day!