For me it was more of a 'good riddance' moment haha .
But I ded finish my PhD and a postdoc, so I didn't leave with a feeling of 'I have failed '
I remember though, that feeling when I was doing my PhD and I got the quits fever.
I think a lot of people struggle mentally when they quit in the middle mainly because of a sense of defeat.
To them I would say scree it. If you found out the stupid churn of the academia process is not for you, leave without remorse.
It's like game programming. It's fantasized during childhood, but once you get in and see the swamp it is, you realize it's either for you or it isn't no shame at all in leaving.
I did a PhD and postdoc too. My issue was how drawn out it was. I had a 3 year postdoc contract with great pay, so it seemed like a really bad idea to quit. Basically I spent 3 years wanting to quit but knowing I couldn't because it made no economic sense. Our group leader didn't care at all. He was totally fine with me sitting around earning money while doing everything.
I think I would have done far better if I were simply fired.
But I ded finish my PhD and a postdoc, so I didn't leave with a feeling of 'I have failed '
I remember though, that feeling when I was doing my PhD and I got the quits fever.
I think a lot of people struggle mentally when they quit in the middle mainly because of a sense of defeat.
To them I would say scree it. If you found out the stupid churn of the academia process is not for you, leave without remorse.
It's like game programming. It's fantasized during childhood, but once you get in and see the swamp it is, you realize it's either for you or it isn't no shame at all in leaving.