Remembering to Breathe
One week from orals. Was feeling very ready and calm. But the anxiety has now hit along with the pressure that comes along with setting off to do my research next year. There’s a lot riding on doing well with these milestones. Figuring out theory and research and how my study is going to make a real contribution seems like it’s 5 steps ahead of where I currently am, but yet I’m trying to get a prospectus done today to send out to my committee.
Three deep breaths. Three more. This is just one step. I’ll have so many many more. I’m working hard, every day, and that’s going to get me to the best place I can be for the exam. And it’s really all I can do. Breathe deep and keep a positive attitude. Looking at this ocean photo from Spain a year ago helps. My life might be urban SF Mission, BART, and the Berkeley campus right now, but ocean views and a week-long vacation are just around the corner… so breathe deep and look beyond the current moment of stress…..
Funny how a pep talk to yourself can actually work sometimes. I’m ready to strike out into the day, hit the library, and try my best. It’s not supposed to be easy after all, but I’ve always gotten through these kinds of challenges by sticking with them and giving a good effort. So here goes, another day of my best orals efforts…