Hindsight is a bitch. It has been 2 years and 2 months since I last wrote in this blog, and oh my, how things have changed! I have a full time job now, and more importantly, a passion that propels me forward again. Looking back, it seems like an natural progression; I obviously wasn’t going… Continue reading Changed.
Author: Irene
Former chemistry PhD student with a passion for self-development. Documenting the difficult process of leaving academia.
When you least expect it
On not letting fears stop you And just like that, when I least expected it, I found what I was looking for. After 10 months of intense job search, I received that very much-awaited email with the words that I had been longing for: "We would like to offer you the job". I couldn't believe… Continue reading When you least expect it
Social pressure
Social pressure is a strong beast. And after all the battles that I have fought against it, it still beats me at times. Thoughts of not being worthy without a PhD have arisen again lately. Although moving to Italy has been a very positive move for my overall well-being, I've found myself surrounded by a… Continue reading Social pressure
Free resources to learn Italian
It seems like being jobless in a pandemic has made me more creative, at least in terms of finding new ways of learning a language for free. As you may be aware of, if you have read any of my previous posts, the coronavirus found me in Italy visiting my sister. Instead of seeing this… Continue reading Free resources to learn Italian
Things I have learned about Italy since moving here.
So since this blog it's all about changes, let's talk about my most recent and drastic change: moving to Italy. Even though I originally came to Italy for what was going to be a one-week-holiday at my sister's place, who lives here, the coronavirus lockdown resulted in an extension of my visit, which eventually lead… Continue reading Things I have learned about Italy since moving here.
Nostalgia
These rainy and chilly days take me back to England. I even put the BBC Radio 6 on, I couldn't help it. It feels like a Saturday morning. The type of Saturday morning when I didn't have many plans and I just stayed at home doing mundane but enjoyable tasks, with the sound of the… Continue reading Nostalgia
How meditation and acceptance are helping me during my job search.
Being out of a job is f*ing hard. This might be a bit of a blunt way to start a post, but even for someone like me, who is very lucky to have a supporting family who is helping her economically during these difficult times, being out of a job can still be quite a… Continue reading How meditation and acceptance are helping me during my job search.
Career change in times of coronavirus
We are living strange and difficult times. Nothing is easy at the moment, and trying to change your career isn’t either. I came to Italy just before the whole crisis started. My sister lives here with her family, and she needed someone to babysit the kids during their half-term holidays. I always enjoy coming to… Continue reading Career change in times of coronavirus
The value of trying new things
“We cannot solve problems with the same thinking we used to create them.” – Albert Einstein One of the major lessons and I’m taking away from science is the value of trying. It is clear that the way I was approaching life wasn't the right way. Or at least not the right way for me,… Continue reading The value of trying new things
Change is not easy
The first time I said the words “I’m quitting” I felt so relieved, there was so much pressure suddenly gone, that I started to feel dizzy. But what an amazing feeling that was. I was dizzy, yes, but I was also so happy, I felt so free, that the dizziness was quickly replaced by a… Continue reading Change is not easy
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