I started a PhD less than two months ago and I absolutely hate my topic. I want to turn it into something I like but, quite honestly, I am not sure what I would like to focus on for the next couple of years. I keep reading in the hope that something will come to my head but every time I look at my bibliography I feel pure discomfort. Is this normal to feel so lost already? Is/did anyone else experience this?

Also, do you/does anyone know if it is possible to start my unfunded PhD and look for other funded options in the meantime? I mean, would I be considered at all by a new university if I have already started somewhere else? And, in case it is possible, would I be allowed to transfer my research or would I need to present a new project?

Thank you for your help. I do like my project and am passionate about my subject in general, and I guess I could find accommodation in a prettier city nearby...it's just that I realise how I might feel trapped as you described, and because of lack of funding, the city and everything I am not going in particularly motivated. Idk, it feels very demotivating and worrying to know that I might never get funding and I might have to quit because of that, plus I have this feeling that this isn't right for me, but maybe everyone feels a little bit like that before starting. Sorry you had to struggle with finding funding too!

After years of thinking that all I wanted was a PhD, I finally got a place at a good university: both the advisor and the project sound great, but on the other hand I hate the city where I'd have to live and I am beginning to have doubts about wanting to stay in academia. Plus, I'm not getting any funds, meaning I have to pay the university fee, which is significant, plus support myself, all on my own. I accepted it a few months back but now that I am about to start, I'm not sure this is the best for me. Everyone reassured me that it is much easier to get funding in the second year but I don't know if I can believe that: in case I didn't get it, I would have to work part-time, meaning it would just take forever to get this degree done. Because I've wanted it for so long and because the uni has a good reputation I feel like I should at least give it a go, but I wonder, is it even worth it if I have zero funding? I'm in the humanities so finding jobs ain't easy, I just don't know if I'm making it harder for myself right now.