Trust Yourself: A New Perspective on Your Debt-Free Journey | Prof. Hernandez

Today, I’m fulfilling a promise from my previous video: we’re incorporating positive affirmations into the debt-free journey.

Typically, we view debt through a lens of shame or negativity, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Think about homeownership. When you buy a house, you take on significant debt, yet we view it as a milestone because it provides a tangible sanctuary. The debt is the same, but the perspective changes.

By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).

Updated on February 12, 2026.

Listen: The Professor’s Audio Briefing.

Reframing the “Stigma” of Debt

We need to strip away the idea that debt is inherently “sinister.” When I first began practicing law, I had my own preconceived notions about bankruptcy. I assumed it was purely the result of reckless spending.

However, the reality of the practice, as I’ve documented in my research on Bankruptcy.blog and in my textbook Consumer Bankruptcy Law, is quite different. The “Big Three” drivers of bankruptcy aren’t luxury vacations; they are medical bills/health-related income loss, and divorce. These are life events, not moral failings.

Your 2026 New Year Affirmation: Trust

As we move through this year, my resolution isn’t just to help you manage numbers; it’s to help you shift your mindset. If I could give you one word to carry through the difficult days, it is Trust.

You must trust yourself to navigate the lean financial times. It is easy to succumb to a spiral of negativity, but I want to challenge you to look at your track record.

You Have Already Proven to Be More Capable Than You Think

Even though we haven’t met personally, I can guarantee one thing: You have survived 100% of your hardest days. You’ve faced challenges you thought would break you, yet here you are. Why would this financial hurdle be any different?

Whether your path out of debt involves cutting expenses, starting a side hustle, or liquidating assets, the “how” is secondary to the “who.” And the “who” is a person who has already proven they can overcome.

Is Bankruptcy the End? Not By a Long Shot!

Sometimes, trusting the process means considering options you previously feared, including bankruptcy.

Is bankruptcy the worst thing in the world? Absolutely not. In my years of practice, I have seen countless clients bounce back. Two years post-discharge, many are buying cars and homes with a fresh financial slate.

Ask yourself: “What is the worst-case scenario?” If you can look that scenario in the eye and realize you would still be standing, the fear loses its power. Trusting yourself starts with the realization that you have the agency to change your situation.

The Goal: Feeling Better Along the Way

The point of a debt-free journey isn’t just to see a zero balance; it’s to feel the weight lift off your shoulders. It’s to clear your mind, give you a good night’s rest. The road is often bumpy and long, which is why education on the economy and law isn’t enough. You need the mental fortitude to keep going.

Your reminder today is simple: Trust yourself. You’ve done hard things before, and you get through this, too.

Colleges and universities can purchase my bankruptcy law textbook directly from Routledge Publishing. For

Colleges and universities can purchase my bankruptcy law textbook directly from Routledge Publishing. Paralegals and students who are buying single copies can do so via Amazon Books. To access my YouTube channel, click this link.

You can learn more about filing for bankruptcy and the bankruptcy petition via this link. Information on the bankruptcy court system, contact information for trustees, and your state’s exemptions can be found here. The federal bankruptcy exemptions are listed here. The latest version of the 341 Meeting of the Creditors can be found here.

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Please note that the information on this site does not constitute legal advice and should be considered for informational purposes only.