Melanie Lockert remembers checking the traffic for her blog,Dear Debt, and feeling shocked at the results.
Someone had found her site by searching, I want to kill myself because of debt.
Lockert started Dear Debt in January 2013 after spending the previous year feeling depressed about her student loans.
After writing her own breakup letter with debt, Lockert then published an estimated 100 breakup letters with debt from her readers. Photo courtesy of Melanie Lockert
She had created her blog as a way to stay positive while she paid off the debt.
It gave me an instant sense of purpose, Lockert said.
She knew how much her debt affected her outlook.
After writing her own breakup letter with debt, Lockert then published an estimated 100 breakup letters with debt from her readers. Photo courtesy of Melanie Lockert
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She read up on the link between debt and depression.
She saw she was far from alone.
Lockertwrote a short postfor people with debt who were feeling hopeless.
You are nota loan.
Still thinking about those search terms, she wroteanother post.
I want to jump through my computer and give you a hug, she wrote.
Shake you and say your life is worth so much more.
Then, she started getting emails from people who were desperate and afraid.
Dear Debt, the letter reads.
You do not define me.
My worth is more important than the value of your number.
She estimates shes published close to 100 letters, which she posts without editing.
They range from being really funny to really heartbreaking and everything in between, she said.
You went to plane tickets that you didnt use.
To pizza, one readerwrote.
Lockert said letter writers tell her its a cathartic exercise thats almost deceptively simple.
I get a lot of people who feel like its a test, Lockert said.
They ask her how to write a good debt breakup letter.
Its really about you and your story, she tells them.
There is no formula.
She still answers new letters from readers who are struggling.
In September 2016, Lockert started a suicide awareness blog tour for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
And she still getsdebt breakup letters; she publishes one every few months.
Most colleges have counseling or psychology programs, which may offerlower ratesfor sessions.
She also suggests community groups, like Debtors Anonymous, or checking out resources at your church.
Just because youre in debt doesnt mean youre a bad person.
Forgive yourself and reach out.
Lisa Rowan is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
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