I've posted on here before about the emotional rollercoaster journey that is a PhD, but I'm now concerned that perhaps the extent to which I feel this is not healthy. I'm eight months in and passed registration, and just written up my first draft of intro. But because I don't get much feedback from supervisor, and because I work alone (English Lit research), I find motivation hard and I've begun to question, 'why am I doing this?' If I quit, I run the risk of realising I actually did really want to do it, but I'm not sure how to figure this out. Does anyone else feel the same?

Yes I feel like that a lot! But I am in my third year (near end of third year!) so I have decided to keep going at this stage. But one of the main reasons I decided to keep going was because I was worried I might regret it if I quit, so I totally get what you're saying!

I don't know what I would have done at 8 months in though... maybe someone else will have better advice! But you are most definitely not alone!

i just completed my first year, its hard to be motivated all the time....i would say ups are way less than downs, but i dont think quitting is an option, i have to see it through, cz if i will quit, i will have to live with this feeling for the rest of my life, that i quit and did not meet the challenge....so take one bite at a time, try to find other colleagues or faculty who you can have discussions with, find reasons which can keep motivating us is the key

Hi I've been lurking on here for a while but just registered in order to reply to your post. English Lit is I think one of the loneliest fields as you don't do lab work and have no real chance to meet up with other students. If it's the isolation that's getting you down, I can totally understand it. When I wa 8 months in I was still totally excited about my PhD and was about to give my first conference paper, but to be honest I still feel the same way about my work and my field! It helps that both my supervisors are great and very approachable, and we've built up solid friendships. Sit down and have a really good think about what you'd be giving up. Perhaps it would help to talk to a friend or family member outside of academia about your work; I find the more I try to explain what I do to others the more enthusiastic I get. If you want to have a chat to me about your research feel free - maybe we can help inspire each other!

I am also very isolated in my research topic and that is definitley the toughest aspect. Writing up now so must just keep going. I guess this is what it must be like being a novelist?

Thank you so much everyone for your thoughts and comments - really nice to know you're out there and to have support! I think you're right - it's definitely the isolation which is the worst aspect for me. I think you have to be incredibly confident in your ability to do your PhD, if you are going to spend countless hours alone. Whilst I know I probably can do it, it doesn't come naturally to me. I have ideas but when it comes to writing them down - they come out in a jumbled mess! And the more hours I spend alone, the more I doubt my own abilites. It's a vicious circle really. I'd agree, I should imagine that this is very much the case for novelists. I just worry that if I continue to feel this down about my work - it'll have detrimental effects on my health, self-esteem and maybe even my relationship with my partner?? It's very hard to know what's right, and I'd hate to run the risk of having given up such a great opportunity.

Only you can answer those questions. Personally, I too have trouble communicating my ideas on paper, but I think that's because I come from (and remain in) a heavily working-class background and my vocabulary can seem rather limited when compared with other researchers from a more University-orientated background. My PhD has never caused any problems between myself and my partner. We met during the final year of my BA degree, went out while did my MA, and moved in together two months after starting my PhD (during this time I was working too) rennovated our house two years ago and are getting married next year. I'm very lucky in that for the last three years my PhD is fully funded and the fact that I can treat it as a full-time job means that I can work the same full-time hours as he works, so we still get to spend time together. I have loved every minute of my PhD, even when it's been stressful or scary, and to be honest I'm dreading submitting in October as it means it's all over!

Smilodon, yes that IS more or less what it's like being a novelist, but writers thrive on the highs and just shove past the lows! I try to transfer that ethic to my PhD work as well and so far it's worked. There are dark times, indeed, but I get through them because I know they won't last.

Besides that, both as a writer and a student I always make sure to network, network, network and enjoy doing it - easy with other writers and the nicer, less competetive academics - and remember why I love my work and why it will pay off. I also socialise as much as I can and NEVER feel guilty about it. That's essential to survival no matter what you do!

I think for me the hardest thing would be doing the same thing day after day. ( I did my M.A. in English but wrote a play for my thesis because I couldn't possibly think of anything "new" to add to the scholarship--what an insane idea anyway!) I would have to break it up with exercise, visiting a museum or treating myself to a pedicure or an ice cream. Maybe you could do that too so you have the energy to finish. Just a thought.