What’s the ‘burnt toast theory’?
One creator is discussing what’s known as the “burnt toast theory” with fellow TikTokers.
On July 31, Ingrid (@offthe__grid) posted a video on TikTok in which she goes into depth about the concept known as the burnt toast theory.
“I recently learned about the burnt toast theory and it’s really been helping me accept things that are out of my control,” she begins. “So if you’re an anxious girlie, anxiously attached girlie, whatever, listen up.”
‘It’s either saving us from something more detrimental or pushing us in the direction that we need to go in’
The burnt toast theory essentially revolves around the idea that if you burn your toast before work, for instance, and this adds “five to 10 minutes to your trip,” it’s “actually saving you from something catastrophic.”
“Maybe save me from a car accident. Maybe save me from someone who you don’t want to run into,” she says. “But this is the idea that inconveniences in our lives, or when something releases us in the universe, it’s either saving us from something more detrimental or pushing us in the direction that we need to go in.”
Adopting this mindset, Ingrid says, has helped her learn to accept things that may not be within her control.
“Of course, you won’t know exactly what the burnt toast has saved you from, but that’s not the point,” she adds. “The point is to allow you to accept things in life that are completely out of your control. Give you more peace and ground you.”
Burnt toast theory:
If you burn your toast in the morning, the time you spend making another toast may have saved you from a car accident; or make you late to a meeting but you meet someone on the way that becomes special in your life.
A reminder that the universe protects you. pic.twitter.com/On9XMFNhJw— Satvik Sethi (@sxtvik) April 7, 2023
And while there isn’t any evidence that the burnt toast theory is real, Haley Hicks, a licensed clinical social worker based in Dallas, thinks it’s something worth believing in.
“While it’s impossible to say definitively whether or not this theory is accurate, it can certainly be a helpful way of looking at the world,” Hicks tells In The Know by Yahoo. “Even if we don’t know the full implications of a particular situation, believing that something bad happening could eventually lead to something good can help us to keep a positive outlook on the future.”
Recognizing that we won’t always be able to understand why things happen, Hicks says, is also important.
“In many cases, it’s certainly possible that these seemingly negative occurrences may end up working out in our favor or that they can teach us valuable lessons,” she says. “While it’s important to take responsibility for our actions, understanding that there is a greater plan at work and embracing the uncertainty of life can help us to accept things beyond our control. It’s important to remember that we often won’t see the full picture of things until later, and that what may seem like a setback could actually be the start of something great.”
‘I’ve finally accepted that inconveniences really work in our favor’
Fellow creators on TikTok have taken to the burnt toast theory as well, and they’re expressing their belief in it in comments on Ingrid’s post.
“I believe in this 100%! esp after reading the stories of how some people missed work for whatever reason were spared from 9/11 I lean into inconvenience,” @wasobae wrote, to which Ingrid replied, “Yesss that part!”
“Firm believer that redirection is protection,” @cozyodi commented.
“I’ve finally accepted that inconveniences really work in our favor,” @chanel21bad wrote.
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