My Partner Doesn't Support Me Paying Off Debt

A nurse, exhausted from excessive overtime, seeks advice on managing burnout while paying off her remaining $76,000 student loan debt. She has already paid $83,000 and aims to be debt-free by December next year. Her partner, however, doesn't understand her intense debt repayment strategy, preferring minimum payments and saving the rest. He even thinks the "Baby Steps" approach is a "cult." The advice given emphasizes the importance of listening to her body and mind, suggesting she can dial back her intensity without being a "bad" or "lazy" person. Taking short breaks from extra work, perhaps for two months or after reaching a certain debt payoff milestone, is encouraged to prevent physical and emotional exhaustion. Calculating how a slight slowdown might extend her debt-free date (e.g., from December 2027 to April 2028) can help alleviate self-imposed pressure. While ideal for her partner to be supportive, her decisions are validated, and the focus shifts to how he treats her during the process. The overall message is to prioritize well-being and adjust the pace as needed, as intentionality, not just speed, leads to becoming debt-free.