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Why I Started This Blog

This blog is for fellow PhD students—especially those in the social sciences—who are navigating the ups and downs of academic life. Whether you’re just starting out, stuck in the messy middle, or approaching the finish line, I hope you’ll find something here that speaks to your experience.

I started this blog while working on my dissertation, during one of those quiet, stretched-out moments when the work felt endless and uncertain. As I entered the later stages of the program, I felt an increasing need to pause and reflect—not just on my research, but on everything this process had stirred up in me. The doubt, the exhaustion, the unexpected resilience, and those tiny breakthroughs that somehow felt monumental.

There were times when I felt completely lost—unsure if I was asking the right questions, or even if I belonged in academia at all. I had a breakdown in my second year, just a few months before my comprehensive exams. I remember feeling deeply lonely and helpless, especially when my family couldn’t understand why the PhD was taking so long, or why I always seemed so stressed and tired. I often wished I had someone’s honest reflections to read—something more than productivity hacks or publishing advice. I wanted to know what it really felt like to do this work.

This space is my attempt to offer that—to share what I’ve learned: the hard days, the small wins, the detours, and the quiet lessons that come from doing something long, complex, and often invisible to the outside world. A PhD can feel incredibly isolating, but the truth is, so many of us are wrestling with the same questions and moments of vulnerability. You’re not alone.

Beyond publishing journal articles, I wanted to create something more personal—something that speaks directly to others walking a similar path. My hope is that these reflections offer a sense of connection, validation, or simply a reminder that what you’re feeling is valid.

If any of this resonates with you, I hope these posts bring comfort, clarity, or a little peace in the middle of it all.

Thanks so much for being here.

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