u/TaroTheReader

this is a very fresh feeling but I feel like I need to let it out.

I went through 3 interviews for this position over the last month, put sweats into preparing for it, and i kept getting closer and closer, I was having my hopes high and thought this is it, finally fate is on my side. a job that fits my requirements and pays really well.

it all crashed down few minutes ago when I was informed that they’ll not be proceeding with me for the 4th and final interview.

I wanna cry but don’t wanna seem weak or pathetic, I am really tired, physically and mentally, I am 28 already and my cv looks bad to me, I only have 2 small experienced, I had a hectic last couple of months and idk what to do anymore, I just wanna lay down and do nothing honestly 💔

whenever a post shows up on my feed from this sub I always feel good about the vibes that y’all living spaces radiate, I wish to have something like that one day.

but I’m lost and I was wondering what career do you have that made you afford these places 🥲 I am sorry if my Q is out of context but I need career guidance and i wanna be inspired by some of you. 🫰🏼

hello everyone, I’m in the last 6 months of my PhD program and I feel like I’ve completely sabotaged myself.

For most of my program, I worked inconsistently. I lost momentum over and over, avoided things, and now I’m here with no publications and a thesis that still needs to be written. I basically have to do in a few months what I should have done over years.

The frustrating part is that I do have a clear plan now. I reduced my work hours, cut out social stuff, and set up a realistic schedule to finish a paper and my thesis. On paper, it’s doable.

But when I actually sit down to work, everything falls apart.

I open my laptop, pull up my documents and papers, and instead of focusing, I get hit with this intense wave of regret and anxiety. I keep thinking about all the time I wasted. It’s not just thoughts*,* it feels physical, like this heavy, painful pressure. I get stuck in loops of “I should have done this years ago,” “I don’t deserve this degree,” “whatever I produce now will be mediocre.”

It’s like I’m grieving my own PhD while still being in it.

I want to finish. I need to finish. But I feel blocked every time I try to actually do the work. The impostor syndrome is really loud right now, louder than ever and the idea that I’ll end up submitting something mediocre makes me feel even worse about myself and question the whole purpose of doing a PhD .

for those who went through a similar situation, how did you deal with the regret and mental paralysis while still getting the work done? I feel like I’m losing my mind.

I don’t need it to be perfect anymore. I just don’t know how to stop the constant mental spiral long enough to actually do the work.