Tales from the TBR

11.08.2026 // feels like i'm just working 3 jobs at once.

my contextual chapter is turning out to be quite challenging to write as i figure out how to bring together the multiples strands of scholarship that i'm drawing from in my research. i have been feeling pretty frustrated with myself, but as i keep saying, i am getting somewhere. sometimes i feel like flinging my entire thesis (whatever i've written so far) out of the window. however, as a friend keeps reminding me, the drafting phase is always unpleasant.

📚 Annihilation of Caste, B.R. Ambedkar (1936/2024)

6/8/26

july'26 // every other month, the urge to disappear becomes stronger

much has happened last month, from conferences to demotivation to widespread protests and devastating floods back home. it's the first time i have (and am still) experience ecological grief from up close. i continue to struggle to write as i try to give shape to my thesis. follow-up interviews are ongoing. sometimes i feel extremely motivated and excited, and at other times, utterly demotivated. teaching has had its ups and downs as well.

it has a been a whole lot of emotional whiplash last month (when is it not). self-discipline is my primary issue, so it's time to romanticise my life once again and motivate myself by looking at your posts.

01 AUGUST 2026 | had myself a bit of a lay-in this morning then went to the gym! a couple of the staff came up to me and told me i was killing it. spent the afternoon in the library, hiding from the rainy weather, which makes me sooo sleepy.

[06.07.26, monday]

What an awfully long day at work. Went to the office in the morning, and got asked if I could go help film some interviews in the evening outside of the stadium where they're airing the football championship match today since Spain's playing. So there I was, a whole hour under the sun at 41° filming teenagers talking shit. Great.

Because of this (plus the hour of commute and the hour back :D) didn't do much studying today, but I have a lesson tomorrow morning which I'm excited about.

-> 15 min of flashcards

Brushing your teeth at least once every day is better than none at all.

A few hours of sleep is better than none.

A few minutes outside for fresh air is better than none.

Writing a few paragraphs of the essay today is better than procrastinating till later.

Doing something is better than nothing (of course there is exception for some cases).

Do things at a pace which makes you comfortable whilst allowing you to make progress.

I think I entered a new era. I rid my desk off all of the unnecessary stuff that has accumulated over the recent years and I took down a good 89 percent of all the pictures on my wall and I've just felt this immediate spike to my concentration and willingness to study. It’s astounding. Somebody should study that.

10/June/2026

be proud of all the progress you’ve made, no matter how small