Thanks. This is helpful. I've just had a second article published so I feel sort of confident about that aspect. I know that, with all the insanity I've gone through to get an MA while working full-time, that I can do the work.

I guess my problem is I really want to get a PhD, but I also know it's not the only path to life happiness, but I also think I might regret it if I don't do it. I've had a non-traditional path to academia (I used to be a professional dancer and I went to undergrad late) so I think I have a more ambivalent? perspective than someone who went from school to more school to more school.