Yes, this post is hard core cheesin’ being posted right before Thanksgiving. But it’s not some trite gratitude post minimizing the struggles borrowers face. Rather it’s a post about how sometimes struggles, and successfully navigating those struggles, are all about perspective.
This year for the first time, I’m genuinely grateful for my student loan debt. Read on to for what I think my student loan debt has given me. Estimated read time ~4 minutes. Estimated watch time ~ 3 min at 1.5 x speed.
Strong Work Ethic
Like the many of you reading this right now, I sacrificed through college. I worked two jobs and more than full-time every summer, winter, holiday, and spring break. If I had a chance to earn money, I did it to minimize the amount of student loans I had to take out. I did this at the same time I studied and improved my GPA during pharmacy school. I really never viewed anything else as an option.
That work ethic developed and was tested throughout my education, residency, and later as I started a side hustle while working full-time as a clinical pharmacist. Without the constant need for work and crucial impact that made on my mindset, Repayable wouldn’t exist today.
Financial Pressure
$132,000 in student loan debt put a strain on my finances. This amount of debt forced me to make a decision about how I wanted my relationship with money to go. I could choose to follow vague ideas about what to do with money, or I could find a better way on my own.
The financial pressure of my situation helped me set clear boundaries on spending and develop meticulous habits when it came to managing my personal finances. I realized quickly what I valued and what my money could do for me. Then I rigorously cut the extra fluff out.
Something to Fight Against
Most people would try to frame this in the positive, something to fight for. But for me student loan debt serves as more of a villain, something to be defeated.
I like the idea of resistance and striving against something. Villains unleash great motivation and power within me. I tap into a part of myself that’s often sleepy in every day life, I think perhaps the thing I tap into is resilience and the strong desire to be successful in spite of something difficult.
Empathy
I worked hard, sacrificed, and still ended up with a lot of student loan debt. I often get criticized for the amount of debt by folks who have no clue. I’ve suffered feelings of defeat, hopelessness, and lack of progress.
While I certainly haven’t lived anyone else’s story I understand how anyone can end up in a bad situation and feel stuck. I’m not here to judge other people’s choices, I’m here to help them make the right choices for their own goals.
In the end my student loan debt has reinforced a strong work ethic, focused my money habits, strengthened my resilience, and given me empathy toward my fellow human beings. Not bad for something that seemed like it may crush me and hold me back from my full potential.
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