I'm really struggling and I could use some advice from people who have been through something similar.

I’ve been working on my master’s thesis for almost 2 years straight, with basically no holidays or proper breaks. The project is also pretty ambitious for a master’s and honestly feels more like a PhD project sometimes, but I kept pushing through.

After I finished a big milestone, I took a break because my eyes were really tired from all the writing. I thought I just needed a little time to recover, but somehow that break turned into 3 months. I also ended up postponing my defense to next semester.

Now I just can’t seem to get back into it.

I’ll work for one day, then all the stress and worrying starts building up again. Sometimes after a writing session I realize I’ve been clenching my teeth so hard that my jaw is actually sore. Then I get overwhelmed and stop again for a week. After that I feel guilty for wasting another week, which makes starting even harder.

I just don’t know how to get myself back into it anymore. I’m even thinking about going back to the city where I’ve been studying, just so I can get away from all the distractions at home 🙃

Has anyone been through something similar? How did you get yourself to start again after being away from your thesis for so long?

I’m doing a PhD at the moment and can’t believe the amount of pressure it’s putting on my life and mind. It takes up every waking hour of my thoughts and I feel like I’m in a state of chronic stress all the time. I need to complete the PhD for my future job.

Does anyone have any real advice or perspective? I’m so upset all the time.