I was thinking about this the other day and realized that there is a better way to think about it than “I will literally be in debt for the rest of my life,” and that is “I live in a society in which I must pay a lifelong tax so that I can do the work that I love.”

Because that’s what it is. Every month I will pay this affordable but not insignificant cost because the alternative would’ve been to do something I hate or merely tolerate. I could’ve been a mediocre programmer or a mediocre scientist who dreads going to work every day and constantly fears getting fired for their mediocrity, but instead I will become a fantastic therapist. People will seek ME out for my expertise. I will be not only in demand, but also fulfilled and engaged and actually helpful to others in some way.

And yeah, it’s still totally bullshit that we’ve set things up that way–that we’ve decided it’s reasonable to saddle a person with a debt nearly five times their starting salary–but at least this isn’t *my* shame or failure. That’s why I don’t mind posting this at all. Anyone who thinks my debt reflects my worth or even my financial savvy can pretty much fuck off. Anyone who thinks I ought to be miserable or extremely stressed or at least a little ashamed because of this now knows better.