This is an important read about commitment and identity with respect to the work you do. Although not everyone will have underlying illnesses the fallout can be as severe.
Looking back at my academic career I see many parallels in the "costs" mentioned:
- sold my twenties to institutes/labs
- traveled too much
- gave too much of myself away (for free)
- strain on mental health
@koen_hufkens oof, harrowing.
"I would have kept my identity separate from my projects." - great advice for past me (and probably a lot of PhD candidates). It was a tough lesson to learn that equating academic success (or lack thereof) with my identity was a bad move.
...this is tough in academia. I was *great* at separating my identity from my research work, set boundaries - and that was an issue. "You are not serious enough"
I understand, and have seen, that entire essay. Its also been me, trying to find work and fuck. I'm *still* doing a paper review for zero money as in not paid in any way shape or form.
Anyway yes, work is work. Life is life. No matter how tempting, keep a boundary. Even if you love the work.
Koen Hufkens, PhD
Dr Micha Campbell
Dr. 🏔️❄️🗺️📊🎨⛷️🧗🏻♂️🛶
Dr. Evan J. Gowan