tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post115230116876794758..comments2023-10-16T05:22:00.853-04:00Comments on Pretty Hard, Dammit: Fighting With MyselfStewgadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341545093347318440noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1152582070532636002006-07-10T21:41:00.000-04:002006-07-10T21:41:00.000-04:00I'm commenting belatedly, but I soooooo know what ...I'm commenting belatedly, but I soooooo know what you mean by this post. It is really, really hard to finish. The emotional process of being able to let the thing go is very, very hard. But you can, and will, get past it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1152376603408153532006-07-08T12:36:00.000-04:002006-07-08T12:36:00.000-04:00Can I check in here as another addict? I have that...Can I check in here as another addict? I have that conversation everytime I touch anything to do with the diss! And for me the only thing that cut my emotional tie to it was a huge tragedy that I had to take a year off to deal with, and once I got that into a shape I could live with the diss anxiety returned. My partner has also expressed the same anger and frusration yours has, not in the produce department, and feeling like the diss has something to do with him, and with my kids, also scares the shit out of me.<BR/><BR/>I've no real advice to give beyond keep pushing forward, baby steps are better than no steps at all.grumpyABDadjuncthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00996252815514179671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1152368285199749742006-07-08T10:18:00.000-04:002006-07-08T10:18:00.000-04:00Dear Also Me,I once had a friend who was studying ...Dear Also Me,<BR/><BR/>I once had a friend who was studying Spanish and <BR/>Russian at the same time. I asked her how she could keep it all straight and she said, "I imagine these distinct mental rooms (which she described in detail) and I picture myself in the Spanish room when I do Spanish, and the Russian room when I do Russian."<BR/><BR/>[I hope Me is not reading this,] I suggest you visualize a very nice room, just Me's cup of tea. Thank her for her opinion and then put her in there and lock the door when you are working! Don't even let her read your work!<BR/><BR/>Seriously, great blog and even better insight. Plus you are very funny and a good writer. I think it is healthy that you can take painful situations and see it with perspective and humor. Clearly it resonates with others.<BR/><BR/>I know you have worked hard and been going uphill a long time. I think soon the finishing work will be like skiing downhill -- still work but with a rhythm and beauty and flow. And you will cross the finish line!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1152367046563218642006-07-08T09:57:00.000-04:002006-07-08T09:57:00.000-04:00And you can see how dissertation burnt I am in tha...And you can see how dissertation burnt I am in that I just quoted your "first you make a mess" Think of it as your When Harry Met Sally Moment--- I quoted you, so what you're saying HAS to be good :)Weezyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08092700814998808070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1152366919433681772006-07-08T09:55:00.000-04:002006-07-08T09:55:00.000-04:00And yes--- I'm in the same exact boat. I've been ...And yes--- I'm in the same exact boat. I've been in dissertating mode for four years now, and was at that self loathing stage. Two things helped me. (please don't delete me for advertising, but it did help) there is software out there called TADA- the $30 investment made such a difference. Things seemed a bit more manageable. <BR/><BR/>Maggie May helped me so much with her post about being honest about your work habits. Like my students, I swore I could work in front of a TV. I can, but it is painfully slow and I get frustrated. I tried the blank room- didn't work. Ended up with back pain from dragging everything to a sunny spot on campus. Knowing I had to work and get knuckle down if i wanted to stay outside helped. <BR/><BR/>What also helped me was just starting. Outline chapters if you have to, make some sort of progress. It was the psychological boost that I needed. Someone out in the blogosphere talked about-- first you make a mess, then you clean it up. I hate freaking messes, but I've found that putting anything on paper...even if it is a mess seems like progress. I've had slow progress this week, but I feel a little bit closer. <BR/><BR/>Finally i agree with verdade...be gentle with yourself....Weezyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08092700814998808070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1152330287519732252006-07-07T23:44:00.000-04:002006-07-07T23:44:00.000-04:00Hey girl, all I know is that you can do this reall...Hey girl, all I know is that you can do this really hard thing. You may not know exactly how, but you can do it. You can finish. I believe that 100%. The story is in you. You are loved and respected. Always remember that.sparkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15419915377375478778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1152320042543205322006-07-07T20:54:00.000-04:002006-07-07T20:54:00.000-04:00I feel like this post could almost have been writt...I feel like this post could almost have been written by me, it sounds so close to what's happening with me right now.<BR/><BR/>I can't figure out what else to say. There's a point where the emotional investment just becomes exhausting. Maybe I should try to get it done before that point; or maybe I won't be able to finish it until after that point...<BR/><BR/>Thanks for writing this post...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1152306068443131572006-07-07T17:01:00.000-04:002006-07-07T17:01:00.000-04:00First off, haaaaaaappppppyyy birthday!Secondly, it...First off, haaaaaaappppppyyy birthday!<BR/><BR/>Secondly, it sounds like you need Dissertators Anonymous: "Hi, I'm Stewgad, and I'm addicted to my dissertation...." Actually, that sounds like not such a bad idea.<BR/><BR/>I so understand where you're coming from. I think part of why I haven't finished is that I'm afraid of what happens once it's done. I'll have to go back to my home institution and find people to read it, and find an actual job, and figure out what happens in the next stage of my life. As terrible as the dissertation is, at least I know what it is composed of.Scrivenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05922358016805022637noreply@blogger.com