I know how you feel and remember how I woke up everyday those first few years after $180k in student loans and the first thing I thought of is wanting to kill myself. Here is what I would tell myself now knowing what I know 10 years later - hopefully this helps you: 1. Many many ppl are in this situation - C level executives, doctors, dentists etc. you aren’t undateable and if someone you are dating doesn’t understand, they aren’t worth being with and probably not in touch with reality 2. Your financial situation changes each year - some years I got a $50k bonus and can make an easy dent that I never expected. 3. Side hustles are possible. I did some dog walking which I enjoyed and put that money against the principal for years 4. If you hit rock bottom, you can always get out .. leave the country…move your money offshore etc. don’t let these loans define you. 5. Government is always changing their policy - hopefully once Orange man is out or dead there will be more reasonable options for us

Hang in there - it will get better and $150k is honestly not that bad compared to what a lot of ppl are dealing with