I stopped trying to write a perfect dissertation. I'm just trying to finish

[Jane]

For years, I thought my dissertation had to be perfect. It had to change the field. It had to be a masterpiece. I'd never finish.

My advisor said: "Your dissertation doesn't have to change the world. It just has to be a solid contribution that you can finish."

I didn't believe her. I thought if it wasn't perfect, I was failing.

Then I read dissertations of people I admire. They were good. They were not perfect. They had gaps. Limitations. Unanswered questions. They were finished.

I'm letting go of perfect.

• I'm not adding more sources just to add them.
• I'm not rewriting paragraphs that are already clear.
• I'm not obsessing over word count.
• I'm letting some things be good enough.

I'm focusing on finishing.

• Writing the sections I've been avoiding.
• Submitting chapters even when they're not perfect.
• Trusting that my committee will help me fix what needs fixing.

I'm stopping the all-nighters.
I thought working longer would get me done faster. It didn't. I was exhausted. My writing was worse. Now I stop at midnight. I sleep. I come back in the morning.

I'm telling people what I need.
My advisor gave me extensions. My friends brought food. My mom called to say she's proud. I used to hide. Now I ask.

I'm not writing a perfect dissertation. I'm writing a dissertation I can be proud of. Then I'm moving on.

A friend who defended last year said: "Your dissertation is a starting point, not an ending. You'll have your whole career to refine your ideas. For now, just get it done."

I'm ready to be done.

 

[Kile]

The "reading dissertations of people I admire" part is so real. I assumed their work was flawless. Then I actually read them. Typos. Weak arguments. Chapters that clearly should have been cut. They were human. That was freeing. If they can submit imperfect work, so can I. So can you, Jane. You've got this.