Exam

I'd like to take a moment to celebrate surviving the written portion of my PhD comprehensive exam. I was terrified of taking it, not only because I knew I wasn't fully prepared, but because my emotions have been so intense lately that I really thought I might dissolve at any point into a puddle of anxious self loathing and sadness. And yet somehow I walked myself through all the fear and dread and negative thoughts and sat in front of the computer for four hours and answered the questions. And pretty much remembered to talk to myself kindly.

There were friends encouraging me beforehand and friends congratulating me after. A lot of who knew how horrible I was feeling and how hard this was for me. I am incredibly grateful for them, much more than they know.

And now I intend to focus my tired brain on chocolate, wine, and TV...