My confessions as a PhD student

As a kid and the baby of the family, I quickly perfected the art of getting out of undesirable tasks (in the most endearing way possible). I had this sneaky trick of pretending to sleep to get out of doing all kinds of challenging ordeals a kid faces on a daily basis. An afternoon nap could effortlessly replace such things as doing chores, practicing the piano or merely having to physically walk from the couch all the way to bed (how great is it being carried to bed!).

Now as a full-grown woman, pretending to sleep just feels so… juvenile. I’ve had to step up and actually do the dishes and make my bed. It’s tough being an adult and at times I wonder – if I pretended to be dead, would it get me out of cleaning the bathroom? Worth a try maybe.

Since starting my PhD, I have found my new ‘pretending to sleep’ trick – which has now become ‘working on my research.’ I’m still pretty keen and motivated and actually do take every little opportunity to spend time on my study. Perhaps this keenness will fade in time but for now it’s a joy to spend time in my office.

I fully acknowledge how awesome my husband is and how he is far more domesticated than myself. I am a lucky gal to have a house-husband supporting my academic pursuits. Although, if I am 100% honest, I must confess, sometimes I go and ‘study’ to get out of doing the dishes!! Please don’t tell him I’m actually trolling on Twitter and Pinterest. #sorrynotsorry

Delena-Mae Caagbay (@delena_mae) is a Senior Physiotherapist and PhD Candidate. This story was published on November 3, 2015, on Delena's blog, Daydream Delena (available here) and has been republished here with her permission.