The Mental Side of Being $100k Debt in Your 20s
The Shock Nobody Prepares You For
After six long years in college, I finally got my degree. I took the MPJE and NAPLEX and officially became a licensed pharmacist. I landed a job and earned my first real paycheck. Graduation felt amazing. No more late nights studying for exams. No more early morning classes. Suddenly, I had both time and money—two things I hadn’t had together in years.
Life felt good.
A couple of months later, I got an email saying my student loan grace period was about to end. Alright… how bad could it be? Then I checked the number.
$100,000 in student loan debt.
Just like that, the novelty wore off and adulting became very real. Sure, I had a good-paying job—that was the trade-off, right? It would take a few years to pay off, but there was job security. I wasn’t worried about losing my income.
Still, knowing it takes time doesn’t make that number feel any smaller.
The Constant Background Stress
That debt feels like a quiet noise always running in the background—never loud enough to panic, but never quiet enough to ignore. When I look at some of my colleagues, I know a few who don’t have debt at all. Their parents paid it off, or they worked insane hours during school. Why couldn’t that be me? It makes me feel behind. I know I’m not supposed to compare myself to others, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t.
Every dollar I spend feels intentional and sometimes stressful. A blow to my ego each time. Buying bottled water. Grabbing a meal. Even small purchases come with this pressure, like every decision has financial consequences. I know how small habits can snowball. Buying coffee every day can easily turn into $150 a month and suddenly I’m thinking about all the other things that money could’ve gone toward.
There’s also guilt. If I spend money on traveling or going out to eat, part of me feels like I shouldn’t. During school, I had to micromanage every dollar such as rent, food, and gas—while making about $200 every two weeks. That mindset never really left me. Even now, with a full-time salary, I still think like a broke student.
Regaining Control Mentally
As much as I want to pay off my debt as fast as possible, I’ve had to accept the reality that it takes time. Most people take ten years or more to fully pay off their loans. Instead of mentally fighting the debt every day, I’ve started accepting it. Not giving up, but accepting it.
I focus on what I can control: my habits and my mindset. I no longer see debt as a punishment. I see it as a long game. I’m making more money now, but I still have to pick and choose my battles.
You’re Not Behind
If you’re feeling this way too, it’s okay to be in debt in your 20s. This is just a reminder that we’re all still learning and building. Progress matters more than perfection and there’s no need to rush just to prove something.
