Hi Joyce. Thank you *very* much for your reply. Much appreciated.
I have done a lot of reading but I still feel that to make sense of it all and come up with a strong description of my original contribution, and to write a really impressive proposal would take a bit more time (even just a few extra weeks). If everything had time to process then putting together a proposal wouldn't throw me into panic as it does now. I think there is more funding offered in May so I guess I'll have a better stab at that.
I'm moving fast for financial reasons. I need funding or else I'll have to get loans. I don't want to qualify in debt. I'll be working throughout the course of it but funding would cover fees allowing for income from work to cover living expenses. I want to get in, get this done in max. 3 years and get full-time work. It's all financial.
If I could get the funding it would also boost my confidence no end. I seem to be suffering a lack of confidence lately primarily due to feeling so rushed and therefore unsure, not grounded enough on the topic. If I could get over that hump and just get back to enjoying writing something that I think can change ways of thinking I could be happy again.
Cheers for the response. Still throwing a wobbler though ;-)

Hi everyone. First post and it's in desperation.
I am 9 weeks (including Christmas) into a new topic. My undergraduate topic was on the same general topic but a different angle and sub area was needed for PhD in order for it to be original. My MA thesis is unrelated. I chose the wrong topic for my MA. I am interested in the topic I am currently writing proposals (for funding) for.

I got a lot of reading plus a proposal written on this new topic in 10 days, which was crazy, but I was shortlisted for an interview so that was good (this was two weeks into the new topic) I blew the interview though. So now I am applying to another group offering funding. However, I still feel quite lost. Is it normal to feel like this 9 weeks into a new topic? I'm starting to have big self doubts.

I currently have two jobs meaning my time is quite limited but I am working as hard as I can but cannot shake the feeling that everyhting has been far too rushed. Is 9 weeks a short time or what do you think? I'm hoping you say it is! I feel lost and sometimes on the verge... I just feel I need more time. Have I jumped in the deep end too quickly?

I'd appreciate your views!