Post 99: The Short, Short Month of February, and Dealing with Tiredness

At work yesterday, an acquaintance of mine told me that it took her about 6 months after she finished her thesis, during a long and much-needed break, to wake up and not feel tired. 

An ah ha! moment happened for me. I'm working full time, have two part time jobs, and am trying to finish my thesis. Some days, it seems to me like I'm doing everything badly.

With the snow storms over the past week and a half, I haven't been getting much exercise beyond a bit of walking, especially since I haven't felt that it's been safe enough to cycle to work. At the beginning of February I started Adriene's 31 days of yoga, but stopped after not even a week. I've been chiding myself for not being able to stay committed and continue on with it, but honestly, I am too tired to stick with it, even if it would be beneficial.

Cute neighbourhood racoon tracks in the slush! 

I cycled to the library this afternoon to carry on with thesis edits. Every pedal after about half way to here made me feel increasingly tired, though the 6KM bike ride is mostly flat and not all that challenging. But, I told myself to be happy about making it this far. It's a good day when the sun is shining and I have a superb bicycle that I get to ride, and it's warm out (or at least, 5C feels very warm, compared to the -1C + windchill we had last week).

So, even though I'm exhausted, even though I fantasize about the day that I can go home after work and not have the weight of there's some more work you need to do on me, things are still good, and I'm getting by telling myself that it's okay to be tired. :)

I've written before that a thesis is more marathon and less sprint, and believe that now more than ever.

Snowdrops in the front garden, surfacing to bloom after the melted snow. 

Apologies I don't have any more resources to share currently. Just the comfort and perspective that if you're a grad student who's tired and burned out, you're not alone.

Do what you need to do to eat well, get enough sleep, and avoid colds. :)

Spring is coming, there's more daylight, and the temperatures are rising!