Feeling restless while writing and can't able to move on from this worldwide pandemic? Now is the time to improve and focus on the self-care, passion and the challenges that come during complicated times.

1. Writing Through Pandemic Anxiety: How to Break
Through and Write Anyway
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is
turned on.” – Louis L’Amour
DISSERTATION COMPLETE COACHING
Even on a normal day, writing can be a difficult endeavor, bringing up all sorts of
insecurities, resistance and anxiety. For a graduate student working on a Ph.D.
dissertation, this can be compounded by additional stressors related to performing
in an academic environment on limited timelines.
On an abnormal day (like say, during a worldwide pandemic), writing can feel
almost impossible. As though you are wading through a murky stream without
being able to see the bottom or what lies ahead.
Ideas for Your Dissertation Journey

2. Any existing writing issues are compounded by a globalized feeling of near-
constant worry. How can I write when the world is turned upside down? What is it
that I am really trying to say? Why write when there are so many other things I need
to think about right now? It’s even harder to focus than before.
But what I propose is this: NOW may be the very best time to write. Here’s why:
Writing improves mental health.
The act of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) is therapeutic and
clarifying. Not only does writing, a powerful form of expression, naturally reduce
stress but it helps to focus our minds on the topic at hand. (Rather than the sky
falling down.)
According to strategist Gregory Ciotti:
“Writing gives form to your ideas and gets them out of your head, freeing up
bandwidth and preventing you from crashing your browser like a late night
downward spiral on Wikipedia.”
Or, in the words of writing guru and author Julia Cameron, “We are miserable not
because we are neurotic but because we are creative and not functioning in our
creativity.” Just the act of getting the pen back to page can effectively help us
move us out of angst and back into focused self.
For ideas on working through perfectionism, check this post.
Writing something, anything, can be an accomplishment.
One would like to believe that with all this spare time on our hands, we’d complete
all of those nagging things on our to-do list. Instead, we’re stuck in a state of fear
and confusion, unsure how to proceed. With so much free-floating anxiety going
around, it can feel impossible to take on a serious project.
The takeaway? Working on small sections of your dissertation provides a sense of
completion that helps with well-being and confidence. But keep it small so you
actually do it. Choose the section that most interests you right now, even if it’s out
of sequence.

3. Remind yourself why you chose this topic: why is it important to you personally and
professionally? How will your project help improve your field, fill the gap, make life
better – by being pushed out into the world? (Because it will.) By channeling your
powerful feelings around the “why” through journaling, you provide a healthy outlet
for a lot of pent-up feelings and essentially create a writing “bridge” back into your
dissertation.
It could take you somewhere surprising. And you can always revise it later, making
it more coherent and tying it in more effectively. A friend of mine who was a very
good artist said that, at the beginning of any project, she just followed her pencil.
So follow your loose thoughts with your pen on paper or your fingers on the
keyboard. It will be an adventure to see where the journey takes you in these
undeniably surreal shut-in days.
Dr. Cara Weston
Check your notes and references on that part to get started and then just let your
writing flow. Silence the inner critic and just enjoy engaging again with your
project. Set the timer for 15 minutes of writing, congratulate yourself, repeat.
You chose your dissertation topic for a reason: ideally, it means something deep
and powerful to you. Reignite the passion by first simply spending some time
journaling about its significance for you.
Channel it.
Yes, writing can be challenging, especially during complicated times. But think of it
this way: it’s also one of the most powerful forms of expression we possess. Tap
into it as a form of self-care and much-needed structure.
Onward.
See where your writing takes you.
Yes, writing can be challenging, especially during complicated times. But think of it
this way: it’s also one of the most powerful forms of expression we possess. Tap
into it as a form of self-care and much-needed structure.
info@dissertationcompletecoaching.com
www.dissertationcompletecoaching.com