I'm in a lot of debt right now and, even though I'm taking the steps to get out of it, I feel like it's a constant weight on my mental health. What are some steps I can take to get it off my mind?

Our finances can be a significant source of stress and anxiety; the reality is finances are an important part of our lives and wellbeing. While your instinct may be to get rid of this feeling of overwhelm, it can be more helpful to be curious and to identify and acknowledge your thoughts, feelings, and the situation. Radically accepting ourselves and our situations can be the first step into coping and improving our mental health.

Create a Realistic Budget and Goals: Just like with many things in life, it is important that you set goals that are realistic. Being overly optimistic can set you up for failure, self sabotage, and ultimately may reinforce negative beliefs and thoughts about yourself and the situation. Breaking down larger objectives into smaller, more manageable steps can make the process less overwhelming and feel more feasible. Although it may feel intimidating to confront your debt, doing so can ultimately increase your sense of agency in the process.
Celebrate Small Victories: Acknowledge and celebrate small achievements in your debt repayment journey. Whether it's paying off a portion of a loan or meeting a monthly budget goal, recognizing progress can boost your morale!
Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques: Engaging in mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, to help manage stress. These techniques can help you stay focused on the present moment and reduce anxiety about the future.
Engage in Positive Activities: Focus on activities that bring you joy and relaxation. It can be easy to get pulled into stress related to debt and finances and have it be all consuming. The reality is you are more than your debt, even if it does not feel that way. Remind yourself that you are a person outside of this! Stay engaged in hobbies and spend time with loved ones.
Seek Emotional Support: Share your concerns with friends or family members whom you trust. Emotional support is crucial during challenging times, and having someone to talk to can provide perspective and encouragement.

Remember, managing debt is a process; it's important to be patient with yourself and to show yourself grace and compassion!

Kathryn Lee