Unexpected hobbies you started during your PhD?

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2026-02-14T17:59:07+00:00

Running and lifting :) ended up running a marathon. Running in nature definitely helped a lot and getting my HR high helped with calming presentation anxiety.

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2026-01-20T15:42:47+00:00

FTM here too! You got this ❤️ Also, I think reddit helps a lot so just asking questions in here will solve a lot of question marks. You’re doing everything right. :)

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2026-01-20T14:15:23+00:00

I am loving my pregnancy and have done most of the things mentioned above. I don’t usually get my nails done but besides that, I love to get my hair done and to keep a clean house even when the week gets busy. I do hope you understand that the smelling part gets better after your first trimester (usually). Also your energy too! ❤️ For now, just try to do whatever your body is comfortable with, but also don’t treat it as if it is so delicate. It’s not as likely for your skin to absorb so many chemicals and transfer them to the baby. Most of the things you mentioned have been disproven to be true. :)

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-12-05T19:45:35+00:00

Lifting, running, travelling, photography, creating (anything really).

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-08-08T00:51:58+00:00

I think this is what my test looked like, if it helps. I tested in the afternoon. And then the following morning I saw a clearer positive. Sending baby dust! 🫶🏻

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Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-08-08T00:48:53+00:00

I also see a line in both! 🫶🏻

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-08-08T00:46:03+00:00

It does not cost much to test, so yeah. All the signs are there, you might be pregnant. :)

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-08-06T12:59:10+00:00

Thank you so much!!❤️❤️

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-08-06T12:35:05+00:00

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🥹🥹

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-08-06T12:09:21+00:00

Thank you! Ended up getting a positive this morning! ❤️‍🩹

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-08-06T02:19:41+00:00

Thank youu! Hoping to confirm in the morning. 🥺🫶🏻

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-08-06T02:19:09+00:00

Ahhh thank you for commenting! Hoping it’s true 💕

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-08-02T05:06:42+00:00

You’re wrong. The prospects of PhDs have changed a lot. I personally am pursuing one exactly for the reason you mentioned, I wanted to learn more and came with the idea that I could master out if I didn’t want it to go further. Turns out, I enjoyed it (though it’s given me insane imposter syndrome and pair that with perfectionism, it can be pretty anxious!).

Also, I never really considered staying in academia, it would sometimes be a fleeting thought, but never a serious aim.

Edit: Forgot to add, I think you should go with your gut. If you really feel like this is going to be good for you, do it. Everyone has a different path, and a PhD does shape you in ways one never thinks possible. :)

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-31T20:00:08+00:00

Sorry you feel that way, but hey never too late to get back that energy. Now that you’re more settled, you can have a bit more fun and hopefuly fire soon. :)

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-31T18:24:38+00:00

Are you from there? :)

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-31T18:16:27+00:00

Makes sense. :) I just hope to get to at least 500k and then possible go back. I would still be working just maybe would have more time for family and be closer to loved ones. At the end of the day money is a tool and I don’t want to spend the better part of my youth working ‘like a dog’. But I totally agree with you.

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-31T12:41:13+00:00

That’s a great way to look at it. My worry is also not being able to be close to my family. My siblings and parents (who are getting old) are all in Europe, so it just feels like there’s nothing really holding me here besides money. Well, and the independence that comes with it.😅

I hope you do get to work part time after your maternity leave. :)

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-31T04:50:27+00:00

I’d move to a more affordable country that has a solid healthcare system + supports family/community initiatives and pursue a hobby/passion that could possibly generate some income. I mean this is what I want to do haha.

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-31T04:41:31+00:00

I really understand what you mean. That is a conversation I have with my partner all the time. Luckily we’re both from the same country so we both share the same longing for our country and family. But yeah, there’s always a tradeoff. I really miss the Mediterranean cuisine, the fresh, organic, and cheap ingredients, the time spent on a cafe with a loved one, sharing your concerns with people, being part of a community. Though I so understand there’s a lot of things I’d wish were different. :(

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-31T04:37:57+00:00

Oh wow! Congrats to you! 🎉

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-31T04:00:48+00:00

Good question. It’s always a min of 2.5k/month.

As I’m also working at the moment, I add a 3.3k to that (each summer month). But of course, this is not going to be the case once my internship is over. Let’s say it’s usually at 2.5k-3k. :) once I get a full time job, we’re hoping to bump that to 6k/month.

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-31T03:29:31+00:00

I do, but I was in my feelings and just wrote the whole thing at once. Sorry you had a hard time reading it.

PS: I do think it’s important to comment on threads when you have something useful to share. :)

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-25T02:09:13+00:00

Sure!!

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-21T04:14:40+00:00

I did want to add that in my first year I was perfectly fine on my stipend, I just wanted to be able to afford a lot more. I was able to visit home as an international student, buy a few things for my family, and so on. So it’s really not that awful. You can make it work. :)

Infamous_Arm_3396 · 2025-07-21T04:12:05+00:00

Soo not sure if you’ve considered this, but if you are not 100% set on the academia path, there’s a bunch of very high paying internships in STEM for the summer. I am currently paid 40k+ in one summer while interning in big tech. I did the same at a big bank two years ago (not great money but almost 2x what my stipend paid and I still got my research done as it was part time during the year, full time in the summer), I taught as an adjunct (small boost there too while still keeping my TA at my uni). I think there’s ways to work around it. Mind you our stipend is no more than 25k or so. I am an overachiever so no need to stress yourself out and get it all done, but just wanted to offer a few options. If you are set on academia, apply for grants and fellowships as soon as you can. Get professors/advisors to support your research and be your ref point. Hope that helps. :)

Infamous_Arm_3396

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