Do you hear that sound?

That sound is the sound of research engines revving up. I had one of those "taking stock" meetings with my advisor yesterday, and today I've been browsing through postdoc fellowship application deadlines. I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be for things to pick up. Manuscript preparation is starting to get on a real-time deadline schedule (aka not "two months from now" but "next Tuesday").

I always have one of those moments of "is this what I want my life to be like?" whenever this happens. Is it all going to be worthwhile? On some level, academics have to behave as though it's all going to be worthwhile, even when there are doubts. I hope I can push through it. I will push through it.