The Art of Writing a Thesis: A Personal Story III.

There have been days when I felt completely lost, questioning why I even started this journey. But I’ve realized that writing a thesis isn’t just about discipline and strategy. It’s also about finding meaning in the process and building emotional strength to keep going when things get tough.

I’ve started focusing on what I call spiritual wins—the little things that keep me grounded, motivated, and emotionally strong throughout this academic marathon.

Understanding My ‘Why?’ through journaling

When things get overwhelming, it’s easy to forget why I even started. The deadlines, the feedback, the long hours of reading and rewriting—it all piles up. That’s why journaling has become my go-to tool for self-reflection. Every now and then, I take a few minutes to write about my progress, my frustrations, and most importantly—my purpose. What’s working? What’s draining me? What’s inspiring me? Most importantly, I always come back to one core question—why did I choose this research topic in the first place? What drives me to keep going, even on the tough days? When I reconnect with my deeper reasons, the work feels meaningful again.

Staying Present and Calm

I love meditation. Even just five minutes of deep breathing or body scanning (Khng, 2023) helps me feel more centered. It brings me back to my body, quiets the mental noise, and helps me reset. One of my classmates recently started offering free yoga sessions with her, and it has been a great experience. Group meditation with my classmates has been a true bonding experience and it helps us support each other with our academic stress. There’s something incredibly healing about moving, breathing, and just being in community with others who understand the academic grind. I also try to practice mindfulness while writing by paying full attention to the words. This small shift makes the process feel less like a burden and more like an intentional act of learning.

Focusing on the Good

It’s so easy to get caught up in everything that’s going wrong—writer’s block, critical feedback or imposter syndrome. When this happens, I actively try to shift my focus on what’s going well.

I’m not always consistent (I try, but I rarely do it daily), but I’ve found that writing down three things I’m grateful for helps reframe my mindset. It could be something big, like finally nailing a complex chapter, and other times it’s simple like having coffee with a friend or getting a supportive message from my supervisor. Shifting my mindset to gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring challenges, but it creates space for me to notice that there’s goodness in this journey. It’s a gentle reminder that the thesis process isn’t all struggles. There’s growth, connection, and small victories too.

Finding Purpose Beyond Myself

When I start spiralling in stress, I remind myself that my research isn’t just about me—it’s meant to serve a broader purpose. My work has the potential to contribute something meaningful to others, whether it’s through insights, awareness, or understanding. This thought alone helps me push through tough moments. I also try to give back in small ways. I’m currently a mentor and an international student ambassador at my university. Small acts like helping a classmate brainstorm, reviewing someone’s draft, or simply listening when a friend needs to vent, keeps me grounded. Giving back makes me feel connected to something bigger and reminds me that my work has a greater purpose beyond grades or deadlines.

Staying True to Myself

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that success isn’t just about finishing my thesis—it’s about ‘how’ I finish it. Am I staying true to my values? Am I treating myself and others with kindness throughout the process? Am I learning, growing, and staying curious? Am I approaching my research with integrity? Most importantly, Am I working in a way that aligns with the kind of person I want to be? If the answer is no, I adjust. Sometimes that means setting better boundaries, taking a break when needed, or simply being kinder to myself in the process.

If you’re in the middle of writing your thesis and feeling lost, I encourage you to take a step back and look beyond just the academic side of things. Your mindset and emotional resilience are just as important as your research skills. Take care of your inner world, and you’ll find the strength to push through. We’ve got this!

Bibliography

Khng, K. H. (2023). Deep breathing and mindfulness: Simple techniques to promote students’ self-regulation and well-being from the inside out. In Positive psychology and positive education in Asia: Understanding and fostering well-being in schools (pp. 311-325). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.

Yuh, J. (2024). The Learning System: Your Everyday Tool. Retrieved from: https://junyuh.me

Photo credits: yogawithlalm on Instagram