Delulu Is The Solulu

A couple walked into the therapy room last week, much like they’d done for the past six weeks: Silent and wearing anxious expressions on their faces. As they sat down, I asked if they had any unfinished conversations at home that they might want to discuss in the hour ahead.

“No, not really.” the wife said. “But I did think of something I wanted to ask you. Why did you choose Marriage and Family Therapy?”

I chuckled a little, because it’s not something a client has ever asked before. I responded, being mindful to keep it brief because the time is better spent talking about what’s happening with the couple. Driving home that night I thought about her question again. What popped into my head was the phrase “delulu is the solulu,” which I remembered reading about for the first time inthis Wall Street Journal article.

The article says that “delulu” is online shorthand for the word “delusional.” The word is used to describe leaps that are riskier than what most would take in their careers, relationships and other parts of their lives.

According to the WSJ; “people are embracing and documenting their delulu online—as well as the catchphrase “delulu is the solulu”—as a way to challenge themselves and makerisky career moves that they hope will pay off. Some see it asanother form of manifesting, another way to affirm that whatever dreams they have will eventually come true.”

Take inspiration from Sabrina Bahsoon, the London-based 26-year-old who has became an on-line sensation in 2023 as TikTok’sTube Girl. On a whim, she began recording TikToks in the London Underground, with wind blowing through her hair as she lip-synced to jams by Nicki Minaj and Tate McRae. It’s charmingly original and astonishingly popular: the hashtag #tubegirl currently has over 300 million views. 400,000 followers later, it’s turned into a career boost for her as Bahsoon recently snagged a runway gig at a major London fashion show.

Like millions of Americans, my career reinvention was given a turbo-boost after I lost my job in 2020. Switching from journalism to couples counseling seems a little “delulu” to some folks when I tell them what I’m doing now as a “solulu.” But a job-job is a must-must for me. When I really thought about the cross-overs between journalism and counseling, it seemed a little less crazy. Therapists are frequently asking questions, much like a reporter, to clients with a goal of helping them make sense of the story of their lives. It’s been a great fit so far.

Nationwide job losses continue to pile up, and millions of Americans of all ages are struggling with how to reinvent themselves. 50 years ago, we might have told a friend they should “think outside the box” in order to come up with a career transition. In the age of A.I. that notion is probably more important than ever.

Thankfully the next generation has found a new way to express it.