The importance of having a life outside our PhD
The PhD can be a major part of your life but it cannot be all of it.
PhD is basically a full time job and that is ok. There is plenty to do and not so plenty of time so in the end you work:
- on week days
- on extra hours
- on weekends
- at home
- at night
- all night
If you are lucky, you are passionate about your PhD topic (it is understandable if in the end you are a bit tired of it or still confused about it) and working on it is pleasant.
But it is also interesting to have a life outside your PhD…like:
- dance classes
- gym
- a hobbie
- some sport
- a volunteer work
- family time
- friends and social time
Sometimes we just get in the cycle : “wake up, work, get home,sleep” and it can be easy to burn out like this.
The PhD itself it is demanding and stressful already so if you do not have something to relax your mind ( it can be a meditation time) you can get way more stressed on your PhD journey.
believe me: you need a life & vacation :)