I am used to writing and was published several times before starting the thesis - written long articles on peer-reviewed journals - I just did not expect the whole PhD process to hurt quite this much. I find Sunday mornings as particularly nasty times as I just want to cry and feel like a total failure on all fronts.

So, based on the assumption that action is better than moping (I do tend to curl in a ball and die type of thing) I'd like to start a thread on positive undertakings!

Today is Sunday so my positive action for today will be to give myself permission to have a day off from any writing work and just resolve a couple of administrative bits and bobs on my list - which mainly include invoicing people so - whe-hey! money = happiness... right?

Hi Trilla maybe you coukd take Sundays off? Or maybe even the whole weekend? At the end of the day, you won't be awarded a PhD based on the number oh hours you put into it - its about producing quality work, and I know that I produce my best work when I my mind is fresh and I am not tired and stressed. I think you could set up a goal for everyday: explain a theoretical point, write 2-300 words, etc. Writing should not be such a torture!

I find clear days off so important (and I say that as someone at the end of my funding who needs to move on to paid work soon!). As Mattfabb says, it's not productive to keep pushing it when you're drained - I am trying to be better at knowing the difference between my productive days and my 'blood from a stone' ones.