Post-conference season blues and still feeling like an impostor?

Advice / Support

Hi everyone. I ran around everywhere for two months. Attending science communication training programs, organizing conferences and workshops, giving conferences. Every week had an event. I am exhausted. And feeling empty. It's like, what do I do now? I have no vacation planned because I had no time to plan them. I know I need to work on papers but my brain is so tired.

​

Also found out I didn't get my latest grant. I wonder why I am doing all of this when it never feels like I am doing enough. I still don't have tenure. I am scared that I would get it, that I am not being strategic with my energy. I got good comments at the events I organized and the presentations I gave, but it just never feels like I'm doing enough. I have been working really hard to change my view about this job and not take it too seriously/let it get to me, but I'm so tired and with the down coming from post-conference season I'm just having a hard time having that critical distance.

​

Anyone else going through the same thing right now? Any words of wisdom?

Posted Jun 17, 2026, 1:18 PM UTC

126
Loading comments…