Getting Out of Credit Card Debt:
- Ashanti Young
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 1
How to Stay Motivated When Progress Feels Slow
Rebuilding your credit and paying off debt is a long journey-especially when you're starting with a balance that feels overwhelming. If you're staring at over $20,000 in credit card debt or more but can only afford to tackle one bill at a time, it's easy to feel discouraged. The process can seem never-ending, but every step forward matters. The key is to stay motivated, focused, and consistent. Here's how to keep going even when progress feels slow.
Shift Your Mindset: Small Steps Still Count
When you have a large amount of debt, it's easy to get caught up in how far you have to go instead of how much you've already accomplished. Reframing your perspective is crucial to you getting through this.
Celebrate Every Win - Whether it's paying off one credit card, reducing your overall balance, or just making every payment on time, recognize the progress you're making.
Focus on What You Can Control - You may not be able to erase $20K in a year, but you can control how you manage your payments and spending habits.
Think Long-Term - Just like wealth-building, debt freedom takes time. The important thing is staying consistent.
Choose the Right Debt Payoff Strategy For Your
Paying off debt efficiently means having a strategy. Consider these two popular methods and decide which one keeps you the most motivated:
Snowball Method - Start with your smallest balance first and work your way up. Seeing debts disappear can build momentum and keep you motivated.
Avalanche Method - Focus on the highest interest rate first to save the most money over time.
Hybrid Approach - If you have multiple high-interest debts but one small balance you can clear quickly, a mix of both methods can help you feel progress while maximizing savings. (This is what I do!)
Avoid the "All or Nothing" Mentality
A common trap in debt repayment is feeling like you have to make huge payments for it to count. But consistency is more important than speed.
Make Steady Progress - Even if you're only making the minimum on some accounts while focusing on one, you're still moving forward.
Adjust When Necessary - Unexpected expenses will come up. If you need to reduce extra payments for a month or two, don't let it derail your ENTIRE PLAN.
Recognize That Setbacks Happen - Life isn't linear, and neither is debt repayment. What matters is that you keep going.
4. Build Habits That Prevent New Debt
Paying off credit cards is only one part of the equation. The other is making sure you don't fall back into the cycle.
Create an Emergency Fund - Even a small fund can prevent you from relying on credit for unexpected expenses.
Be Intentional With Credit Use - Shift your mindset from using credit survive to using it strategically.
Find Budget-Friendly Ways to Enjoy Life - Cutting expenses doesn't mean cutting joy. Find free or low-cost activities that keep you engaged without adding debt.
5. Keep Your Eyes on the Bigger Picture
When you're working on a long-term goal, it's easy to lose motivation. But financial freedom is worth the effort.
Remind Yourself Why You Started - Whether it's wanting to buy a home, stop stressing about bills, or just have more financial security, keep your "why" front and center!
Track Your Progress - Watching your debt shrink, even if it's slow, can help you stay encouraged.
Surround Yourself With Support - Join financial accountability groups, listen to personal financed podcasts, or follow content that keeps you inspired.
You can join my Coin-Conscious Accountability Group by clicking this LINK!
Click the links below to download my Free Debt Management Resources:
Final Thoughts
Getting out of debt when you have a high balance is tough especially when progress feels slow. But the reality is - every payment, every choice to spend less, and every effort to build better financial habits gets you closer to freedom.
Stay focused, keep pushing forward, and trust that your hard work will pay off. You're already on the right path - just keep going.
To support you in staying focused,
Join Our Coin-Conscious Accountability Group by clicking the link below:
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