SOL

[DISCLAIMER]

Growing up, I was made familiar with the phrase “shit outta luck” (also expressed as “shit out of luck” and “slightly outta luck” or “slightly out of luck”). Describing the meaning attributed to this expression, one source states:

When a request or problem is described, this phrase is used to tell the person that what they need or are requesting is simply not possible/available and probably won’t be in the near future. An “urban” variation of “out of luck”.

A separate source explains this figure of speech as “completely out of luck; in unfortunate circumstances such that all options for achieving one’s goal are exhausted; unlucky; screwed.” Thus, according to one source, “SOL” means that an “impasse has been reached.”

Also when growing up, I was discouraged from use of the concept pertaining to “luck” (a force that brings good fortune or adversity; the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual). Expanding upon justification for this advisement, Wikipedia states:

Supernatural interpretations of luck consider it to be an attribute of a person or object, or the result of a favorable or unfavorable view of a deity upon a person. These interpretations often prescribe how luckiness or unluckiness can be obtained, such as by carrying a lucky charm or offering sacrifices or prayers to a deity.

Being indoctrinated into dogma of the Jehovah’s Witnesses from a young age, my dad discouraged use of popular terms which where religious or spiritual in nature. Therefore, I didn’t often express that people or situations were lucky or SOL.

If one was said to experience desired or undesired circumstances, I was forbidden from evoking luck, as Jehovah’s passive will involves Him allowing, rather than causing, something to happen. Now, long since removed from teachings of religiosity, I view luck as Wikipedia further states:

Luck is the phenomenon and belief that defines the experience of improbable events, especially improbably positive or negative ones. The naturalistic interpretation is that positive and negative events may happen at any time, both due to random and non-random natural and artificial processes, and that even improbable events can happen by random chance. In this view, the epithet “lucky” or “unlucky” is a descriptive label that refers to an event’s positivity, negativity, or improbability.

Because I’m religiously and spiritually agnostic, I suspect that there very well may be a phenomenon or belief regarding the existence of luck. Further, such a thing may not exist at all. Therefore, use of the phrase “SOL” or “shit outta luck” is merely a descriptive matter to me.

What brought this topic to mind was recent contemplation of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). This psychotherapeutic modality is something I practice daily in both my personal and professional spheres of life.

Specifically, REBT uses the technique of unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA).

With my approach to REBT, I incorporate author Stephen Covey’s concepts regarding the circles of control, influence, and concern, as well as an area of no concern. UA maps onto the circle of control (USA), circle of influence (UOA), and circle of concern and area of no concern (ULA).

The circle of control encompasses only oneself, the circle of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the circle of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.

When conceptualizing how UA may apply to your life, I invite you to consider my current perspective on luck. Perhaps there’s a phenomenon present in life that relates to the improbably of positivity or negativity, perhaps not. One simply doesn’t know that there’s such a force in life.

Yet, one does experience positive (desired), negative (undesired), and neutral (apathetic) events. When the less desirable circumstances occur, will you self-disturb about these matters through use of irrational beliefs? If so, then I encourage you not to do so.

Instead, you may want to tolerate and accept your limited control and influence over most experiences in life. This is a method of taking a “shit outta luck” perspective. Perhaps an example of this approach is in order.

According to one source, “Vice President Vance cast the tie-breaking vote as Senate Republicans on Tuesday [7/1/2025] delivered a huge legislative victory for President Trump by passing his One Big, Beautiful Bill Act after hours of tense negotiations that lasted through the night.”

A separate source claims, “Despite the GOP’s [Grand Old Party’s] attempts to use the bill as a vehicle to rein in government spending, the bill would increase the deficit by $3.3tn through 2034.” That’s a deficit which is indubitably grand (large and striking in size, scope, or extent).

When considering that the government’s revenue stems from taxes paid by citizens, each United States citizen who remains subject to involuntary taxation will be required to offset the federal deficit by way of our wages. One could easily self-disturb about the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.

However, one who practices UA knows better than to needlessly cause one’s own suffering. Personally, I practice USA by acknowledging that I have zero control over this matter. The only thing I can control in this situation is my reaction to passage of the cited legislation.

As well, I use UOA by admitting that I have exceedingly limited influence (if any) regarding this matter. Not a single politician contacted me and asked for my opinion on increased spending by the government. Thus, I can’t actually control or influence anything in regard to the legislation.

Finally, I utilize ULA by conceding that because of my inability to control or influence this matter, I can simply place the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act into my circle of concern. This is genuinely the only modicum of control I actually have in consideration of the legislation.

Ergo, from a personal perspective, I’m slightly outta luck when it comes to changing this circumstance. Moreover, the nation in which I live is likely shit outta luck when it comes to altering the impact of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (for now).

Although I understand that when advocating use of UsolA (unconditional self-, other-, and life-acceptance), people often outright refuse to practice this helpful technique. Such individuals are SOL in how they disturb themselves, as well as SOL regarding money our government will take.

Personally, I view this matter as a shitty situation either way. Yet, I choose not to make it any more shittastic (of remarkably low quality) than it already is. As such, I invite to contemplate the merits of an SOL approach to UA. Otherwise, I hope you have plenty of toilet paper ready.

In fact, you could use any of the approximately 940 pages of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act for wiping purposes. Doing so would likely be just as painful as using whatever unhelpful beliefs to cause an unpleasant consequence that you’d otherwise use. Either way, you’re SOL.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

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