My doctoral journey was never just about earning a degree—it was about learning how to keep going, even when life felt overwhelming.

I started my dissertation writing at the same time I became a mother. And no one really prepares you for that kind of balance. While writing, I felt guilty for not being fully present with my baby. And when I wasn’t writing, I felt guilty for not doing enough to move forward. That constant push and pull—mom guilt and academic pressure—lived with me every day.