I haven’t written a blog in a very long time. I've been
writing other stuff. A big fat thing called a PhD thesis. However, the past couple of days have
been like walking through sand. I can actually see my thesis as a finished product
but realising it has become gruelling. I want to write but for some reason my
brain stops working simultaneously with walking out my front door. So why do I
feel this way? Is it because I lie awake too long excited about what I want to
say and then cannot function the next day from lack of sleep? Is it the heat (it’s
pretty damn hot here right now)? Is it the air-conditioned windowless room I
write in? Is it that I am afraid to *put it out there*?
I think all of the above play a role but you know what I reckon
the main factor is? I miss my kids. I’m sitting here in my air-conditioned, windowless
room and playing with strategies for untangling my thoughts and weaving them
back together trying to meet a self-imposed deadline wrapped up in a much
needed living allowance. I’m taking advantage of my husband’s leave and holiday
visits from Gran and Gramps to distract Christmas lolly fuelled limbs and needy little sticky faces and from my absence. God, I miss those faces (tearing up a bit).
I’m missing summer days in the pool, smelling like
sunscreen, chlorine and salt. I’m missing dripping mango down my arms, smearing
frozen blueberries across my face and spitting watermelon seeds across the
lawn. Sucking on ice-blocks. I’m missing breathing in the stillness and humidity and the anticipation
of a storm. I’m missing the green. God, Brisbane is green at the moment. I am missing having an
active role ingraining summer into my children’s DNA. All for a bloody PhD.
Still, it’s only one summer. My children are young. There
are plenty of summers left and I still have weekends. Next summer you’ll be
able to call me Dr.
Hang in there! Goodness knows I understand. On writing days when I knew I could just be with my children being carefree in the pool or at the park, I also kept asking myself, what's the point? Indulge yourself with the kids and enjoy them. You're right, they're young but they're also not young forever. Be strong!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel. I know there are peaks and troughs in the process mentally. This blog is like a confession. If I say it out loud I can move on. It was quite cathartic. I got back on track again afterwards. You know, I also think that the PhD process can also overshadow what is important. I have made my choices but I need to acknowledge what that choice entails.
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