What A Difference a Month Makes
Exactly one month ago I was celebrating a huge push in getting two viable drafts of papers in and moving this whole dissertation process forward. Today I sit before you with the stress having returned. Why? I have about 3 weeks to go and the amount of work in that time seems staggering to me. And that’s just to get to the start of the dissertation. Some days (like 4 out of 7), I wonder what I’m doing. But here are the mantras I’m using to get through:
1. Time is your friend. You will not be suspended in this state forever.
2. Eat. Sleep. Do Yoga. Plan breaks.
3. Do it Now.
4. Don’t panic. You’ve not really epically failed in your life up to this point. This will be no different.
5. Don’t overthink. (Underthinking is never a problem but don’t do that either.)
6. Write while it’s light outside and at least a paragraph a day.
7. You will financially survive the next year. Today is not the day to figure out how.
8. People are not out to get you. Work with them and accept their help if it makes sense.
9. Continue to make reasonable social plans and keep them. Cancelling on them for PhD makes you a hermit.
10. Today is not the day to find your “inner genius.” Just get it done.
This is go time. And it’s funny that my pep talks have evolved over time. But I will say I’m glad I have ‘em in their sum right now. Because this is the hardest thing I’ve done. After this, I think I might be able to conquer the world.