tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post7780288813636727775..comments2024-03-12T03:41:35.856-04:00Comments on From Grad School to Happiness: On Regrets and My Ideal LifeJChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468758055878600762noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-53085199065508878282012-07-18T21:33:46.734-04:002012-07-18T21:33:46.734-04:00JC, I feel like we are the same person! Or, at lea...JC, I feel like we are the same person! Or, at least, that we could be good friends (probably that is weird for you). I have so many of the same thoughts about academia that you do, and this "deathbed exercise" is one that I've done all the time for years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-39673351129149517592011-09-14T17:28:19.715-04:002011-09-14T17:28:19.715-04:00This is exactly what I do, too. Last fall, I lost ...This is exactly what I do, too. Last fall, I lost a number of people in close succession and it forced me to realize that I was going to die too one day. And that when that day comes I want to feel good about the choices I've made. It especially helps me let go of the fear of what others will think, or of letting people down. When I make myself come to terms with how short life is, and how I only get one, suddenly what other people (especially people who barely know me) think I should be doing means very little in comparison to what I know is right for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-66191522745697671312011-09-14T12:03:27.858-04:002011-09-14T12:03:27.858-04:00Thanks for stopping by! And yes, I know I shouldn&...Thanks for stopping by! And yes, I know I shouldn't *really* feel morbid ... but I felt a little odd writing, basically "you know how to make sure that this life changing, anxiety-producing transition is the right one for you? Think about when you're going to DIE."<br /><br />But I agree with you. It's only been six months since I quit and I haven't even moved on to the next "real" job yet, but I truly believe that if I was hit by a bus tomorrow, I would be so grateful that I'd spent these last six months out of academia and happy rather than sitting inside working on pointless research that I hate. It's already worth it. Happiness matters.JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04468758055878600762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-54558140532065670762011-09-14T10:47:54.938-04:002011-09-14T10:47:54.938-04:00Thanks for the ping. And really, you shouldn't...Thanks for the ping. And really, you shouldn't feel morbid; thinking about death <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-mcswain/10-mantras-for-a-more-mea_b_802328.html" rel="nofollow">is a part of many spiritual traditions.</a> I talk about this all the time with my good friend who left: even if we get hit by a bus tomorrow, we'll die knowing we've already had more happy moments in the last year than we did in five years of academia. So worth it.WorstProfEverhttp://www.worstprofessorever.comnoreply@blogger.com