Overthinking Post-doc

Researcher in STEM.
Preaching Good Mental Health and No Bullying in Grad School.
Love and support to all academics who are finding it hard.
She/Her

[Hannah Thomasy, PhD @HannahThomasy]

Are you an early career researcher in STEM whose career has been impacted by Covid? Fieldwork or experiments delayed? Essential supplies on back-order? Lack of childcare? I want to talk to you for a story! Womxn & historically excluded groups preferred.

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

@As_Clear_As_Mud @PostdocVoice @AcademicVoice @MindfulAcademix I have definitely thought of that. Unfortunately, I am only assigned this one project as of now, which if it succeeds, will have many small sub-projects. So highly dependent on this one to succeed. 😔

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

Need some positive thoughts/affirmations.

One year of post doc and I am stuck in a vicious loop of failed experiments and confusing results.

Anyone else sailed through the same boat before they saw light at the end of the tunnel?

@PostdocVoice @academicvoice @MindfulAcademix

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

@IsItBrokenYet @PostdocVoice @AcademicVoice @MindfulAcademix Thank you, I really needed to hear this.

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

I feel like I should have known more and gotten things done much faster, since I have a PhD degree now and should be smarter (!). I also feel like I am letting down my advisor, though to be honest, he hasn't said a word to me. It's getting hard to clear up the mind and get going.

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

During today's meeting:

Person A: Why doesn't James come to work these days?
Person B: He is working from home since he is taking care of his 3-month old baby.
A: Why? Doesn't he have his wife at home?

Presenting casual sexism in academia to you.

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

@envysnest This is such a great thought. Thank you. :)

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

As holiday is over and everyone is back to work, you are expected to be slogging.

But do you feel just as clueless as you were before the holidays about a failing project/experiment etc.? Or is it just me?

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

But I also hope somewhere deep down, that this is just a phase and will soon pass.

Here's wishing everyone, struggling with whatsoever issues, to find the peace and healing they need in the year ahead.

Happy New Year folks! :)

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

I've been told by so many including my spouse that taking time off from work will help me to focus better.

As someone who suffers from severe anxiety, the thought of going back to the same project that's going downhill ruined my holidays and now, I am back to work with anxiety.

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

@academicvoices @PostdocVoice @MindfulAcademix @AcademicChatter

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

As holiday season approaches, here's a reminder to take off completely from work, especially if you are visiting family and friends. Don't get guilt-tripped by your advisor or anyone into working during the holidays. Everything can wait.

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

I regretted then and I regret now, to not have been able to spend my holidays whole-heartedly with my family. I also never spoke up fearing backlash.

Not anymore. I will take off from work on Christmas and I will have nothing to do with work until I come back after New Year.

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

@Gradadvisor Two hard to believe that all five professors are on a holiday, two weeks before Christmas.

I don't understand the thinking of certain scientists - I will publish great science for others to follow but I will also not share with them how I did it.

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

On Monday I emailed 5 prominent professors regarding a protein purification protocol that they all have already published. I haven't been as successful purifying the same protein and emailed them asking for their suggestion.

It's Friday today and guess how many of them replied?

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

@academicvoices @AcademicChatter @PostdocVoice I am so thankful to my beautiful academic community for reminding me to not be too hard on myself. Sometimes its hard to let go and just sit back and relax instead of overworking. I guess Christmas will bring the calm to my storm. :)

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

My project, that I have been working on for a year, is going downhill. I feel guilty taking time off during Christmas.

Just curious, do people outside of academia also suffer from similar guilt?

@academicvoices @AcademicChatter @PostdocVoice

[Jennifer Polk, PhD (she, her) @FromPhDtoLife]

It's a common misconception among PhD students and academics that working outside academia isn't as intellectually challenging, meaningful, or personally fulfilling.

In my experience this fear doesn't hold up!

PhDs find plenty of fulfillment and all the rest in non-ac careers.

[Overthinking Post-doc @PostdocInSoup]

If you had it rough and know how draining it can be, you would like your future students to have the exact opposite experience.

What sort of a sadist academic would like their students to have it equally rough, just because they did?

Where has all the compassion gone?