When I first started documenting my PhD journey online, I had no grand vision or content strategy

— just a simple need to create a memory bank of self-discovery. At the time, I didn't know I had ADHD, but I did know that moments of clarity often slipped through my fingers as quickly as they arrived. I wanted a way to capture what I was learning, what I was feeling, and who I was becoming.

What started as a personal archive (built over the years of my childhood) has since grown into something much bigger: a space where I share the ups, downs, and hidden realities of being a first-generation, queer woman in higher education. The challenges of navigating a Social Science PhD — a journey so rarely documented online — felt mundane at first. There were no roadmaps, no viral study vlogs, no neatly packaged "Day in the Life" videos that truly reflected what it means to move through academia as someone who doesn’t fit the traditional mold.

So, I decided to be that representation for myself, and for others like me.

From Memory Bank to Community

The Doctoral Diaries has become more than just a way to track my progress — it’s a space where I can openly grapple with imposter syndrome, academic pressure, and the realities of pursuing research that challenges existing structures. Unlike the polished image of academia often portrayed, I share the struggles with burnout, the frustrations of navigating institutional barriers, and the deeply personal moments of questioning whether I belong here at all.

Through this process, I’ve learned that visibility matters. So many people, many of whom I’ve never met in person, have reached out to say they’ve felt seen in ways they never expected. My experiences, my doubts, my breakthroughs — they aren’t just mine. They belong to a larger story of underrepresented voices in academia, pushing forward, making space, and proving that knowledge-making isn’t reserved for those who already see themselves reflected in the system.

Navigating Change, One Video at a Time

This channel has also forced me to face myself in ways I never anticipated. I can literally see the growth, not just intellectually, but in confidence, resilience, and understanding of what it means to take up space in this field. Some days, watching old videos reminds me of how much I’ve overcome, while on others, it’s a stark reflection of how much further I have to go.

But that’s the beauty of it: it’s all part of the process.

For anyone who has felt lost in academia, who struggles with their place in institutions not built for them, or who simply wonders if they’re the only one feeling this way…you’re never alone. I didn’t start Doctoral Diaries to be a voice for others, but somehow, that’s what it has become. And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.

Final Thoughts

As I continue this journey, I remind myself that I’m not just documenting my academic growth, I’m also building a space where others can see themselves in the process. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the kind of navigating change that makes all the difference.

Here is the link to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theadventuresofvic