Being a doctoral or postdoctoral researcher often feels like sprinting a marathon while juggling 10 (or more) balls in the air. Deadlines, imposter syndrome, endless revisions, grant anxiety – it can get very intense sometimes.
This is where my cat philosophy comes in – you might think that the only path to success is relentless productivity, that resting is laziness, and that taking a break is a sign that you’re falling behind. However, if you spend time around a cat you’ll quickly notice they live by a radically different set of rules.
A cat doesn’t ask permission to take a nap in a sunny spot. It doesn’t apologise for curling up on a pile of freshly washed laundry. And it certainly doesn’t feel guilty for turning away from something that doesn’t interest it.
Cats are masters of strategic disengagement!
Here’s the key lesson: rest is not a reward – it’s a biological necessity. And more than that, it’s a productive act.
Your best thinking rarely happens when you’re hunched over a laptop at 2am, trying to coax some meaning out of your 80th data point. Insight often comes in through the side door, for example, during a walk, a shower, or even during a ‘power nap’.
In academia (and probably in other professions too), researchers are conditioned to believe that being constantly busy is a badge of honour. But working all the time doesn’t make you work better. It can make you tired, resentful, and more prone to making mistakes.
This isn’t to say you can stop showing up – we all know the demands of the job. But like a cat that spends hours resting before one concentrated pounce, your effort will have more impact if it’s balanced by intentional recovery.
So, how can you channel your inner cat? Here’s four suggestions:
- Take time out without guilt. Even a short break can restore clarity. Your brain is still working – just differently.
- Be selective. Cats don’t chase every opportunity; you don’t need to say yes to everything that comes your way.
- Protect your energy. Not everything needs an immediate response. Some emails can wait!
- Create boundaries. Cats have an uncanny ability to walk away when something doesn’t serve their needs. You’re allowed to do the same.
And perhaps most importantly: PLAY. Cats play because it keeps them agile and curious. For you, that might mean a hobby, a conversation outside your discipline, doing sport or yoga, reading a book, cooking or just doing something for joy, not output.
So next time you find yourself pushing through for the sake of pushing, ask: Would a cat do this?
Sometimes the smartest thing you can do for your research – and your wellbeing – is to close the laptop, stretch out in a patch of sunlight, and … not do it.
Related posts: Busy doing nothing (featuring Johnny again!)
Mind your career