8 Comments

"I remind myself that sadness is okay. I won’t drown unless I deny my feelings." Oh River, I am right here with you! Currently processing some similar emotions. Thank you for this beautiful reminder that we are not alone <3

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Thank you for reminding me in turn. <3

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Good post and there are all kinds of ways from enjoying those unalienable rights which our creator gave each of us. Being yourself 100% is a great art. I know really successful people who used such things as ADHD, OCD and other so called individual differences to make being totally original an art form.

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Thank you <3

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This is so beautiful and insightful, thanks so much for this post, River!

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Thank you Rey <3.

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Going through your doctoral years while wrestling with demons is very hard. It is made worse by the fact that Florida and its universities have been deliberately made into hellholes. The good news is that you are pretty far along in your program, and will finish it in due time. Your book will be published (to great success, I think!) and that makes it hard for you committee to give you a hard time. Becoming Dr. Selby will be the start of a new adventure, and I hope more books. The academic job market in the humanities will probably continue to be weak, so you may have to get creative in the kinds of jobs you look for, or you may be able to establish an independent writing career. Whatever the outcome, you have a great deal to look forward to, and great reasons for confidence in what you are doing, despite some hurdles. Best wishes!

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Thank you Tom, for reminding me that there is a trajectory. I am definitely not counting on the academic job market and am up for getting very creative. Hoping that as things get easier, things get easier, if you know what I mean.

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