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Journeys of Becoming...

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Meet Mrs Mummy PhD®

Hey! I'm Dr Michelle Gibbs and this little corner of the internet exists to help ambitious Mamas like you, achieve your life and academic goals without sacrificing what matters most. If you're juggling family, career, academia and everything else in-between, then it's time to say 'yes' to savouring the moments that truly matter, while doing what sets your heart on fire! So Mama, are you in? Fabulous! These are our journeys of becoming :-)

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I nearly quit my PhD more than once... Not becaus I nearly quit my PhD more than once...

Not because I couldn’t do the work—but because I was exhausted, isolated, and felt like no one understood how hard it was to keep holding it all together.

These five truths could’ve saved me so much guilt, self-doubt and second-guessing.

Swipe through if you’re:
– Juggling all the things and writing your PhD thesis during nap times
– Wondering if you’re too behind to finish
– Feeling like both a horrible Mama and PhD student who is always in survival mode

If this sounds like you, you are not broken. You’re just juggling a whole lot alone—without the village/support you deserve.

💬If this hits home, DM me 'WELL' and let’s get you connected, refocused, grounded again, and back on track—without burning out.

#phd #gradschoollife #phdlife #workingmum #scholarlymama #mumsofinstagram #academiccoach
"I can't tell you how many failed grant applicatio "I can't tell you how many failed grant applications I have had in the past year. They've been quite a few!..." she said. 

This was a conversation I had last week with a very senior colleague... 

It was a powerful moment of exchange.... 

She went on to share how many unsuccessful grant applications she'd had in the past year... 

I also shared similar experiences of 'failure'...

The wins and successes we've had have been amazing but the failures have definitely stung HARD!

Two researchers, very different on paper...
And yet... 
The level of shared understanding between us was profound.
The shared experience of 'failure' was normalised.
The effort was valued and appreciated.
The mutual support was beautiful.

We both felt seen, heard and understood.

But we both left that call inspired and motivated to not give up!

And so, here's the thing.... there is so much power in these conversations.

Sometimes you may never know the impact that a mundane interaction / mutual exchange can have, but I believe these conversations are so needed - not to champion mediocrity or diminish standards of academic excellence, but to normalise unsuccessful attempts, to celebrate effort and intention even when they don't lead to the desired outcome, to help us realise the potential for personal or professional growth and to motivate us to keep going.

Want more? Tune into Episodes 85 and 86 of the Mrs Mummy PhD® podcast whereever you get your podcasts! 

These are our journeys of becoming 🦋

 #mrsmummyphd #scholarlymamas #scholarlymama #reframefailure #celebrate #youareenough #keepgoing
Are you holding onto a previous version of yoursel Are you holding onto a previous version of yourself that no longer exists? I’ve recently sat with this thought… the reflections were powerful.

Here’s what my brain offered:

As a Mama juggling all the things, you’re allowed to use your PhD to design the life and career of your dreams, even if it looks different from what others expected of you or what you once thought it would look like yourself!

It’s okay if the current version of you is not the same version of you that got you to where you are. One may align with what is expected, the other may align with who/what/where you need to be in this season of life…

You can absolutely chart your own path without losing the skills you’ve accumulated over the years! A mindset of career creativity & design is the best gift you can give yourself while on the journey…

Join me on my brand new broadcast channel and let’s talk about this and more!

These are our journeys of becoming 🦋

Follow @mrsmummyphd and @scholarlymamas for more!

#scholarlymama #mrsmummyphd #journeysofbecoming #scholarlymamas #gradschool
Here’s how a plot twist brought clarity…👇🏽

She finished her PhD... She chased the dream…

But when she became a Mama, this quiet question kept popping up:

Is this really the only way? 

Dr Paulina Cossette gave everything to academia—until she realised it was costing her too much.

So she decided to edit the script!

In choosing a new path, she discovered something powerful: There’s more than one way to honour your education, your ambition, and your role as a Mama.

You do have options… and the best thing you can do for yourself, if you aren’t sure if academia is for you post-PhD, is to learn more about the options available to you!

Check out Ep 113 of the Mrs Mummy PhD® podcast to hear the full interview.

These are your journeys of becoming🦋

#scholarlymama #mrsmummyphd #journeysofbecoming #phd #scholarlymamas #gradschool #phdjourney #redefinesuccess
What happens when motherhood and the academic drea What happens when motherhood and the academic dream collide?

In today’s powerful episode of the @mrsmummyphd podcast, Dr Paulina Cossette @acadiaediting shares how she left her tenure-track grind to build a life she loves, without completely abandoning the skills she gained during her PhD journey.

Tune in to the podcast today for her story of:
✨ Redefining success
✨ Letting go of academic guilt
✨ Building a life beyond academia

A must-listen for Mamas who are craving more work-life harmony and are considering a new path forward post-PhD. Always good to gather information on what options are available to you.

These are your journeys of becoming 🦋

#academiclife #momlife #redefinesuccess #womeninacademia #podcast #phd #postphdcareeers
I know it’s hard to remember this👇🏽 …es I know it’s hard to remember this👇🏽

…especially when you’re buried deep in the throes of PhD life, but if there was a single word of wisdom I’d offer to anyone embarking on this journey in 2025, particularly as a Mama, it would be this…

Your PhD is not who you are, it’s also not something you get… is something you do and that’s it. It’s just one of many seasons of your life. You don’t owe it your entire identity.

The journey can so easily become all-consuming but as a Mama, be careful not to let it take over your whole life and identity too. 

You’re more than your PhD. 
You’re more than your titles. 
You’re more than your accolades. 

You deserve a life that reflects that…

You can do your PhD well and thrive in other areas of your life that matter too. No need to put everything and everyone on hold.

I enjoy helping @scholarlymamas reclaim their identity beyond their PhD so they believe that they are smart, purposeful and whole… 

…come join us if you need this reframe.

Because these are your journeys of becoming 🦋

#scholarlymama #scholarlymamas #phdjourney #iamwhole #morethanaphd #mrsmummyphd
So much of my belief, drive and resilience comes f So much of my belief, drive and resilience comes from this beautiful lady… my Mama!

She taught me that you don’t need external validation to go after your wildest dreams…

You just need an unshakable belief in who you are!

I got this from my Mama ❤️

Know thyself, know thy purpose, then go out there and shine like the diamond that you are Mama!

These are our journeys of becoming 🦋

Happy Mother’s Day to all those celebrating 🙌🏽 

#mothers #queen #matriarch #purpose #mothersday #brownskingirl #islandgirl #confidence
…to be grateful for today and fully present in t …to be grateful for today and fully present in the here and now 🙌🏽

These are our journeys of becoming 🦋

#scholarlymama #journeysofbecoming #scholarlymamas #gratitude #mrsmummyphd #thankful #present #feelinggreatful
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