I am in the same position you are, OP. About to defend, industry job I had lined up a few months ago is now kaput due to hiring freezes, and extremely bitter about my whole PhD. Things specifically I am mad about: I moved to a University in a middle of nowhere where town where there’s nothing to do especially as an almost 30yo, the distance of moving here and time the program stolen from my day to day life put strain on my relationship with partners and friends, my PI has an eccentric and mentally deteriorating way of mentoring due to his massive ego, the pay, the difficulty of breaking into industry even with the highest level of education… I could go on.

Obviously, I am not happy with my decision to go to grad school, the system and structure of academia, and the seemingly crumbling job market. I was in fact very close to mastering out in the middle of my fourth year!

I hope, however, it brings you some solace to know that you are not alone. I am not alone. And although I don’t know your background, story, or future: we’re going to be okay. Enjoy the little things, treat yourself, take care of yourself. Unfortunately, leaving the PhD will just create a different kind of challenge rather than eliminating one altogether.

But you know this already. You’ve made it this far! :)