I was broke, unemployed, and buried in debt. And no matter how many side hustle videos or spreadsheet downloads I consumed, nothing really stuck.
It’s less about hustle and more about healing. Here’s what I wish someone told me earlier.
I was broke, unemployed, and buried in debt. And no matter how many side hustle videos or spreadsheet downloads I consumed, nothing really stuck. Everyone had the same advice: “Work harder. Spend less. Just be disciplined.”
But here’s the truth no one talks about:
Getting out of debt isn’t just a math problem. It’s an emotional, mental, and spiritual one.
Debt isn’t just numbers on a statement. It’s shame. Confusion. Avoidance. It’s years of never being taught how to manage money, followed by years of feeling bad for not knowing how.
So let’s reset the way we talk about it.
Debt Is a Symptom, Not the Root
You don’t have a debt problem. You have a clarity problem. A system problem. A story problem. Most people go into debt not because they’re reckless, but because they were never taught how to structure peace around their money.
Maybe it was an emergency. A survival decision. Or just trying to keep up with a lifestyle you didn’t realise was unsustainable.
What helped me: Before I paid a penny, I got honest. I wrote down:
- Why I borrowed
- What emotion triggered it
- What I was really trying to buy (security? status? relief?)
That clarity helped me stop repeating the cycle.
You Don’t Have to Hustle Your Way Out
You can’t shame your way to freedom. And you don’t need to make 3x your income before starting.
The secret? Consistency > intensity.
I paid off thousands in debt with a small income by using a simple structure:
- Track every expense (no matter how small)
- Use a peace-driven budget: Essentials – Freedom – Growth – Fun & Giving (in that order)
- Make small, regular extra payments
No magic. Just real habits that stuck.
You Need a System That Works With Real Life
Most budgeting systems fail because they expect you to become a robot.
But here’s a truth bomb: You can build a plan that includes fun, rest, and debt freedom.
What worked for me:
- Creating a “joy allowance” while paying debt
- Using digital cash envelopes for categories
- Automating minimums, and manually paying the extra
You don’t need a perfect month to make progress. You need a peaceful system you can actually live with.
Forgive Yourself For What You Didn’t Know
This one’s big.
Debt comes with a voice. And it often sounds like:
“How could you let it get this bad?”
But when you replace shame with curiosity, you make room for change.
I started asking:
- What would I tell my child if they were in this mess?
- What could I learn from this instead of hiding from it?
- What new belief do I want about myself and money?
Forgiveness clears space for structure. And structure creates peace.
You Can Be Free (Even If It’s Slow)
It took me years. But I’d do it again.
Because the person I became in the process was worth more than the money I paid back.
And now, I get to help others make that same shift.
So no, you’re not behind. No, you’re not lazy. No, you don’t need to be perfect to get started.
You just need to start.
Download This If You Haven’t Yet: ✅ 10 Money Moves to Take Control of Your Financial Future
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