The Data Collided. I Broke First.

I keep reading about these galaxy clusters smashing into each other, unleashing energy I can’t even imagine. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here, staring at my own collision—the one between my expectations and reality. They say the clusters are lining up for round two. I wonder if I have that in me. I rerun the same analysis, hoping for a shockwave of clarity, but all I get is static. My advisor calls it a late-stage merger. I call it exhaustion that doesn’t even feel dramatic anymore. The universe gets bow shocks. I get unread reviewer comments and a coffee stain on my only clean shirt. Sometimes I think the real relic is whatever’s left of my motivation, drifting farther out every time I try again. #ScienceFatigue #LabBurnout #StillHere #Science