Calm Before the Storm

During my first year there was a whirlwind of activity, I was new to Newcastle, I was setting up experiments, looking after project students, testing participants. It was daunting and felt like I had gone off at break neck speed, at times being unable to fully process it all. There was a near constant pressure to get things done. Pressure to prove myself to my supervisors. Pressure of moving and settling into a new city. Fortunately I was able to weather that particular storm of pressures. My second year has taken altogether much different pace. It much more nuanced, building there is pressure there but it is a different kind of pressure.

Single Handed PhD!

Recently I have been struggling with some motivational issues to do with my PhD. These were primarily due to my frustration with the slow pace of the speed of my work (nothing new here for a PhD student). Now however I face a new barrier to my PhD. I have broken the third metacarpal in my right (writing) hand. This has been quite a frustrating experience so far but in some ways it has also acted as a catalyst for reffirmation of my motivation to get over my past frustration and to focus my frustrations on several more productive avenues, both academic and non-academic.

The Wall

One thing that I was told in my PhD induction is that at certain points, you will be very busy and you will have to work long hours, sacrifice much of your weekends and evenings. In the last four months I have reached a level where for one reason or another I have been unable to take a prolonged break (or in some months even just a break)! I have reached a moment that is commonly found during physical exercise.I have reached a wall in my working ability and motivation.

Remembering I Kill Giants!

It may not appear obvious but there is something that you do that very few people know. It is something that you do in almost every single part of your life. It is something you do not always realize you do but is something that you do more often than you realize. You  What you do more than you ever realize is that you kill giants!

Friends Never Give Up

Something that I also experienced over the weekend was an interesting scenario when I visited my friend. Their friend was a little worse for wear and it was a testing set of circumstances for all, particularly for those who knew the individual concerned. I did what I could to reassure my friend and hopefully it helped him somewhat. Unfortunately I had to leave whilst he was at the hospital so I had to leave him a note. It was a note of where I had a rare moments of that was both eloquent and full of clarity. Below is the note.

Self Writing

One thing I realized that I don't do as much as I used is writing short poems or short pieces of prose. Previously when I would write it would help come to terms or clarify my position with a problem that I was facing. I found that when I would write things down it would force me to confront the issue, mapping out what the problem, see the pros and cons and then identify a solution or have a moment of clarity.

Changes

"You are open to the most change when you are at your lowest"

The First 6 Months

So before I forget here is the overview of my first 6 or so months of my PhD. Since the beginning alot has happened.