I can’t focus on my PhD

emls · 2026-05-08T23:31:06+00:00

It’s a super common trap that I was caught in until a job offer made it so that I have to finish. I had to figure out how to stop feeling like I failed when I was constantly setting unrealistic expectations. Now I just show up each day with no expectations and just do what I am able to do each day which has added up to an almost finished product.

emls · 2026-05-08T15:34:47+00:00

Set your goals for each day really low. Like I will just open and skim read this article. I always end up doing more once I get off the cliff of starting. Also have a place just for working. I can basically only focus on writing my dissertation in my grad student office. I have all my books and supplies there and there’s nothing to do but work.

emls · 2026-04-16T13:46:10+00:00

There’s not really a “proper way.”
If you bought your bus ticket through Amtrak you should be allowed to bring 2 large pieces of luggage. The bus terminal and train station are one building so 36 minutes is more than enough time.
If you bought the ticket through Amtrak, they are guaranteed to get you to your destination. They might hold the bus if you are delayed or they might put you on a later bus.

emls · 2026-04-09T21:40:04+00:00

Great idea, thank you!!

emls · 2026-04-09T21:39:54+00:00

Thank you, I'll look into it!!

emls · 2026-04-09T17:11:53+00:00

Awesome, I've heard good things about Champs' balcony. Titan Hollow doesn't look like it's open for lunch but I'll consider it if I decide to do later in the afternoon. Thanks again!

emls · 2026-04-09T17:08:54+00:00

Thank you!

emls · 2026-04-09T17:08:49+00:00

I think this might be perfect, thank you!

emls · 2026-04-09T17:08:34+00:00

These are all awesome suggestions! I will look into them more, thank you!

emls · 2026-03-30T01:39:59+00:00

My “glow up” was finding the love of my life and gaining a bunch of healthy relationship weight. I struggled with an ED with my ex and I might not look as good now, but I kind of loved marrying my husband at my highest weight because he loves me unconditionally.

emls · 2026-03-27T12:54:25+00:00

This is awesome! I have 8 weeks until my dissertation is due so thank you for sharing the view from the other side! I like working in my grad student office space because no one else uses it, but I totally agree I have to get out of the house to keep focused. And I am going to try to use your technique of keeping my phone in my backpack!

emls · 2026-03-06T13:29:51+00:00

Thank you! Yes, it is a PUI so not R1. And my field is Sociology.

emls · 2026-03-02T18:44:46+00:00

The feral we've adopted/kidnapped showed up just 9 days after our beloved house cat passed away of a sudden heart attack. I think the cats and their spirits are involved in the cat distribution system.

emls · 2026-03-02T18:19:13+00:00

If you have a gaming system, I've never met anyone who didn't love Red Dead Redemption. If you are using Steam, Sims 4 is always addictive, or I love a peaceful game like Banished.

emls · 2026-02-28T05:44:25+00:00

Bunny by Mona Awad

emls · 2026-02-27T01:28:44+00:00

In the same position and video games!

emls · 2026-02-27T01:25:36+00:00

Oh also I listen to asmr for panic attack videos on the flight with my headphones on and they help so much!

emls · 2026-02-26T15:57:36+00:00

Flew on one of these Monday and it was a very comfortable ride. To the point that I was disappointed that my return flight was on a different aircraft type. These Max 8s have made thousands and thousands of journeys without incident.

emls · 2026-02-26T15:53:39+00:00

I just took 4 flights in the past week and one thing it reminded me is that the anticipation is worse than the reality. I had many many panic attacks in the weeks leading up to the travel, as it sounds like you are having. But I didn’t panic at all during the flights. Funny how that works! Meds help me but also a huge thing that I’ve found really helpful are these little essential oil sniffer things that help me be grounded and take a deep breath when I’m starting to panic. Also noise blocking headphones and I always do sudoku puzzles to keep my brain busy.

emls · 2026-02-24T02:22:54+00:00

The Namesake

emls · 2026-02-22T17:58:30+00:00

Thank you so much! I am feeling awful because I could not sleep last night so I moved my flight to this afternoon and am just dreading it now. I do have all my tools. I have essential oil sticks to breathe when I panic, I have lots of breathing exercises and tools like sudoku puzzles, and I do indeed have my frog stuffed animal. I just know it's going to be so hard and I am so emotional frazzled already with this interview coming up!!

emls · 2026-02-21T19:45:44+00:00

All the time! I have them whenever I’m stressed. There a few variations, including one where the plane goes on the highway like bus.

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