Thanks so much for your reply Sheena. That's exactly what I need - encouragement! I know that what I'm going through is probably very similar to many other PhDs, but knowing that doesn't stop me feeling depressed and alone. I've technically started writing, but haven't got very far! I've still got quite a lot of experimental work to do and I don't know how I'm supposed to fit in writing around that. I guess I'm just gonna have to find a way! I think I will feel better when I start getting things down. The problem with my motivation is that right now I don't think I want to carry on in research when I finish, so really I don't even need the stupid PhD. The only reason for me to finish it is that I've put in so much effort and I will regret it if I don't, which sometimes doesn't feel like enough of a reason...

Hi all

I'm a bit of a lurker on this site and have found reading other people's threads v helpful over the last couple of years of my PhD - so thank you. I'm in my final 6 months - supposed to be submitting at the end of the year. I'm tired, demoralized, stressed, fed up, I've got so much work to do, I've got data but it's confusing and not the nice neat story I would have liked..... Can anyone offer any advice for this last horrible bit? Maybe people who have made it and can tell me it was all worth it in the end?! I feel I'm past the point of no return so can't quit now. I just wish I'd never started in the first place...