Debt and Guilt

 Debt isn't your fault, but paying it off is your responsibility

Imagine you are at the top of a slide.  Behind you are people pushing you and telling you to slide down.  To either side a people pulling you down and telling you to slide down.  So you push off, slide down, and get to the bottom. 

You made the choice to slide down, but that decision was not made in a vacuum. How guilty should you feel as you sit at the bottom of the slide?

 My answer would be – not very.

 Yes, it was your choice.  But you had a lot of forces encouraging that choice, and very few voices warning you of the consequences.

 I think for most of us, debt is the same way.  Every marketer in America is trying to separate you from your cash. Everyone says you MUST go to college, and with the escalating costs, few parents can afford to pay out of pocket.  So loans it is!

Your friends, who are lovely, often help separate you from your money.  After all, your friends want to spend time with you, so they invite you to the fancy restaurant.  They want you to be happy, so they encourage you to buy the thing.  

But here's the deal – the marketers don't care about your personal financial situation, and your friends likely don't know the truth of your finances.  They probably aren't even paying much attention to their own financial situation.

 It's not just the external voices – it's literally our own minds.  We've evolved to want pleasure and instant gratification.  When literally everything in your life is saying yes and when buying on credit feels like it has no immediate negative consequences, how could you not end up at the bottom of the slide?

Sure maybe some part of you knew better and threw a red flag.  But that's one voice in a sea of thousands.

So cut yourself some slack.  It's actually totally understandable that you are in debt.  You'd be weird if you weren't.  Let yourself off the hook for all the guilt and shame.  You probably never had a personal finance class or in depth training on money from your parents.  Past you was just doing what she thought was best.  She didn't mean to screw you over.

Now, just because it's not your fault, that doesn't mean it's not your responsibility.  Yes, you were influenced, but you made the choice.  But if you can let some of the guilt and shame go, you can take a clearer look at where you are and where you want to go and map out a plan.

So if this sounds like you, take a deep breath, forgive past you, and take a step so future you can have a better life.  Sign up for my money course or schedule a free consultation today to get on your way to a better financial life.