Keys to Getting Out of a Bad Luck Streak

To get out of a bad luck streak, the most important thing is to examine the situation and readjust expectations for the immediate future. Also, you need to stop believing that things will go back to the way they used to be.
Keys to Getting Out of a Bad Luck Streak

Last update: 14 March, 2020

What people call a bad luck streak usually begins with a loss or a particularly difficult problem to solve. Then, as a result of that event, or even at the same time, other tough situations emerge. It’s at that moment when the person begins to feel that they’re in a stage where “everything goes wrong”.

In general terms, we could say that people define bad times as those moments where several factors or negative experiences coincide. The thing is that, usually, people limit the causes of these events to a factor of “bad fortune” or “bad luck”. Also, it’s common for people to put the blame on someone else or interpret everything as a punishment or as the result of something or someone’s “bad energy“.

In order to truly refer to a bad streak, the situation must remain unchanged for a relatively long time. This, of course, undermines the person’s vitality and often immerses them in a state of pessimism. As a consequence, they start looking at the world as if it had turned completely gray. Additionally, they start feeling extreme fear and anxiety about their situation staying that way forever. Now, is it possible to get out of a “bad luck streak”? The answer is yes! In this article, we’ll show you some tips that may prove helpful.

A man going through a bad luck streak looking out a window.

To get out of a bad luck streak, you must identify the main problem

Bad streaks are characterized by everything going in the opposite direction than what you want. However, the truth is that there’s always a main factor or focus. As a matter of fact, it usually coincides with the element that gave rise to these bad times, which is why it’s so important to identify it. Most of the time, it has to do with the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, a breakup, an accident or illness, or an event that caused serious harm to the person’s self-esteem.

To get out of a bad luck streak, it’s important to pinpoint the element that weighs more than the others. In general, this is precisely the most difficult part. However, identifying it can help organize ideas and come up with possible solutions.

“If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have no luck at all.”

-Booker T. Jones-

Examine your mental context

It’s vital for you to examine the entire mental context surrounding the central problem. This context refers to the ideas that are associated with the rough patch you’re going through. For example, if you felt rejected, you might think it’s all your fault and say things such as, “I’ll never be happy”. If the main problem is unemployment, you might think things that make you feel incapable, incompetent, or unworthy.

Nonetheless, it’s important to point out that this mental context can turn these bad times into a complete hole of negativity. Also, to get out of it, you must understand that it isn’t enough for you to give yourself three pats on the back and shake your head. That won’t make these ideas go away. What’s essential here is that you become aware that those negative affirmations are detrimental to your mental health and that, if you want to get out of this negative stage, you must transform those ideas.

A woman framing the sun with her hands.

Do something about it

Believe it or not, a bad luck streak may lead someone to experience some sort of paralysis. At first, they may feel motivated to tackle the problem and take action. However, over time, inaction usually takes over. Sometimes, some people just sit there hoping for something to happen to get them out of their situation.

Allowing yourself to be invaded by this pessimistic passivity will make it more difficult for you to overcome the situation. Pessimistic inertia will take hold of you, which almost always leads to more problems and more mistakes. It’s okay not to have it all figured out just as long as you continue moving forward. If necessary, readjust your expectations and your plans and get going. However, keep something in mind: solving this problem may not get you back to where you were before. Get rid of that expectation.

If you lost a great job, don’t wait to get a new job as wonderful as the previous one to move on. If you lost a great relationship, don’t rely on another great love to replace it. Nothing will be as it was and you’ll most likely have to start over in very different conditions. The idea of ​​going back to your previous state is exhausting, so don’t waste your time thinking this way. Give yourself the opportunity to get out of your bad luck streak with humility and a better attitude.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Cid, L. R. G. (2000). Este no es un libro de autoayuda: tratado de la suerte, el amor y la felicidad . Editorial Desclée de Brouwer.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.