Whenever I meet other PhD students, I feel guilty.
Guilty because it seems everyone but me seems to be hating their projects.
I've heard the same story a dozen times. The overwork, the burn-out, the personal life in shambles. And each time I've felt awkward when it was my turn to speak.
Because the truth is: My PhD is really fun. I love what I do.
why I don't hate my phd project.
So why do I feel so differently? Is it because I've got it so much better than everyone else?
Hardly.
The people who seem to hate their projects the most are the ones who have exactly what I don't yet have: A position that's for longer than half a year. Secure financing. An advisor in their own city.
So the answer can't be that I'm simply lucky and privileged.
The reason I don't hate my PhD is that I refuse to do it.
Look, I empathize. No one wants to hate their project. Academia promotes the idea that unless your PhD is the center of your life, you'll fail.
But let's be honest: I don't need to do a PhD in Eastern European history. This isn't a necessity. It's a luxury. I'm doing it because I want to do it.
So what on earth is the point if I don't enjoy it?