#AcademicWriting Tip: when just returning to research and writing, don& #39;t expect yourself to be able to work for 6 hours straight, like you might have at the peak of previous work. It takes time to build up to that. Be gentle to yourself.

Even if I can only manage an hour, I think to myself: has the work gone forward or backward? *Anything* moving forward is a good day& #39;s contribution, even if it doesn& #39;t feel sizeable.

These messages brought to you by someone who& #39;s done enough therapy to know that I can& #39;t afford to beat myself up over unpaid labour.