I’m Mazlum. 32 years old. I live in Istanbul, Turkey. I have a wife who never once blamed me, and a 1-year-old son who smiles at me like I’m his hero. But I don’t feel like one.
Years ago, my father was buried in debt. I had just married. I used $2,000 I’d saved to try and help him. I entered the crypto space. It grew into $10,000… and then I lost it all.
I borrowed from friends. I thought I could fix it. I failed again.
Now I’m drowning in ~$60,000 of debt, jobless, and can’t even look at my family without shame. My friends are being chased by banks for loans they took to help me.
I cried one night and talked to ChatGPT — it told me to share my story.
I’m not asking for anything. I just want to feel heard. I want to believe there are people out there who would understand this kind of pain.
If you’ve ever been here — I see you. And thank you for seeing me.
Comments
Hey man I see you and I’m sorry you’re going through this 🙁
If lurking on financial subs has taught me anything. Is that money is imaginary and not a reason to go suicidal, always remember that.
Talk to a financial expert ASAP, look at options for filing bankruptcy, there are very few things in life to be truly shameful for, not being able to feed your kids is one but manning up and accepting you fucked up financially is not. You made some bad financial decisions. No need to get hung for it, I repeat man up, talk to an expert, see your options, accept you’ll have to face the music and maybe sell your home, move, or find a high paying job, get government assistance.
Its tough and you have a lot of people to answer too, you’ll probably never be trusted with money again from these people and that’s ok, it’s been tough but hang in there man, I had some debt that I thought would destroy me and it tugs on your soul every night but you’ll get through it if you have the will too.
I see crypto as something you do with extra money that you don’t mind losing if it’s gone. It’s not a safe investment, unfortunately. Your father has to take care of his own debt. You have a family of your own that you need to take care of, if you’re ever fortunate enough to help him again, that’s okay, but right now he’s dragged you down with him.
Like you said, you have a loving wife and a son who loves you, no matter what financial situation you’re in. It’s okay to feel defeated, to be upset, but it’s going to get better again one day. Mazlum, whatever you’re doing with the money, stop doing it. Stop gambling with it with crypto. Find a job and pay off your own debt off gradually. Try to find a financial advisor. Keep going and try to do your best. It’s going to be hard but it’s not impossible. I wish you the best of luck.
Im sorry man. You have to be there for your son. Be his hero somehow.