I have a working theory: winter is the season when dissertations go into hibernation. The days are short, the nights are long and, understandably, your motivation to write disappears along with the sun at 4:30 PM.
If your dissertation stalled out over the winter months, let me be the first to tell you: it’s okay. You are not alone. And best of all, you don’t have to stay stuck.
Luckily, here’s the good news: spring is (almost) here.
For centuries, spring has been a symbol of renewal, fresh starts and forward motion. Ancient cultures welcomed spring with festivals, planting rituals, and mead-fueled merriment.
The longer days, warming air and return of greenery send a clear message: life is waking up again…and so should we.
Why Spring Works in Your Favour
Science backs up what we already know intuitively—spring naturally makes us more energized and optimistic. Increased sunlight increases serotonin, which improves motivation and mood.
Warmer temperatures encourage movement, which helps clear mental fog. Even something as simple as opening your window and getting some fresh air can reset your focus. (Bonus points for working near a window.)
Translation: Spring is a productivity resource. If winter trapped you in a vicious cycle of procrastination, self-doubt and Netflix binges, now is the time to “shake it” off and start afresh.
Spring Cleaning for Your Dissertation: A Fresh Start
If spring is the season for cleaning and organizing your space, why not apply that same zeal to your dissertation? Clear the clutter—both mental and literal—and allow yourself a seasonal reset.
Declutter Your Workspace: That mountain of unopened email? Organize it. The 15 browser tabs you swore were “essential”? Close them. A clean space equals a clearer mind. It’s that simple.
Reevaluate Your Goals: Maybe your New Year’s resolutions were a little ambitious. (We all thought we’d write three chapters over the holidays, right?) Adjust your timeline to something realistic and doable.
Set a Spring Deadline: Not the scary, looming, stress-inducing kind of deadline—just a friendly checkpoint to keep you moving forward. A spring training game plan of sorts.
Embrace Spring Energy
One of the best ways to get unstuck is to change your environment. Spring makes that easier.
Take your work outside: Find a sunny spot and let nature do its magical thing. Writing is more bearable with a calm breeze and coffee in hand.
Move more; think better: Go for a walk, stretch in the morning, do something that shakes off the winter stiffness. Moving your body moves your brain.
Drink in the sunlight: More daylight means more time to work when your brain is actually awake. Make the most of it. Get outside for 5 minutes in the morning just to receive that initial blast of solar energy.
Let Spring Move You Forward Naturally
The past few months may not have gone according to plan, but that doesn’t matter now. What matters is what you do next. So, let’s harness the season of renewal, shake off the winter blahs and move forward with fresh energy.
In the next 24 hours, make one small change—tidy your desk, set a realistic goal or just step outside. These small steps contribute to breaking inertia.
Your dissertation isn’t going to write itself (tragically) but with spring on your side, it just might feel a little easier. If you’re still feeling uninspired, reach out to me. As a dissertation coach, my job is to get you moving in the right direction. Contact me for your free consultation.