Perseverance. Tenacity. Grit. | brokeGIRLrich
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the concepts of perseverance, tenacity, and grit.
When I finally gained acceptance into a doctoral program after much struggle, I was frequently told that the hardest part was behind me—that I just had to push through. If I was accepted, success was inevitable.
Yet, the reality is that nearly 50% of PhD students do not complete their degrees.
This made me think about how much weight I managed to lose after the pandemic. It was incredibly tedious to consistently count calories and push myself to swim laps, even on days I didn’t feel like it.
And it was just as easy for those healthy habits to vanish the moment I relaxed my grip on them.
Re-establishing those routines has been quite challenging for me lately.
I often question whether I have enough grit to prevail in this particular challenge.
Then I think about my financial responsibilities, like prioritizing my emergency savings. Keeping the heat down during cold spells to have funds left for bills and enjoyable activities—since a warm home isn’t as exciting as a weekend getaway or treating friends to a nice meal.
These aspects also demand tenacity.
It seems that a bit of determination goes a long way.
For instance, my entire PhD journey is made possible through prior tenacity. The discipline to save money during times when I didn’t want to, and to live in less-than-ideal situations.
It’s built on the academic persistence that enabled me to succeed and gain admission to school.
Even the enjoyable parts of this journey, like living abroad and exploring nearby regions, stem from that same grit. Though I’ve spent the last two years living beyond my means, I’ve managed to navigate it thanks to my savings.
I also realize that while grit may never become entirely enjoyable, it does become less taxing over time. However, there seems to be a threshold where it’s possible to temporarily hit a wall in terms of perseverance and the ability to endure.
Sometimes, I feel I reach that wall when juggling numerous challenges. It’s similar to the times I worked long hours on tour when I lacked the discipline to maintain any exercise routine or focus on my diet.
Still, I excelled at my job.
Similarly, after relocating to the UK and grappling with establishing my life here while adapting to a full-time academic schedule, I found my focus on exercise and healthy eating slipping away.
Even my financial discipline took a hit.
Yet, as I’ve settled into a routine in this new life as a PhD student—one that still demands perseverance—I find that I can recommit to other goals as well.
It feels like a never-ending balancing act between challenging tasks and the remarkable rewards that come with maintaining that balance.
Is anyone out there managing to juggle everything successfully? Do you have any tips? I’m not sure if this post offers any specific advice, but if you resonate with the feeling of being overwhelmed by numerous responsibilities requiring grit, know that you’re not alone. And remember, if one area falters, we can certainly regroup and strengthen it over time.
