Sometimes research feels a little like rock climbing. You look up, and you see a daunting cliff looming high above. You tell yourself that you could never climb something like that.
But then you get a foothold, and you pull yourself up a bit. From a little higher, you spot new ways up that you couldn’t see before.
After a while you rest a bit, and think about strategy. Then you keep going.
Sometimes you found out that you’ve been navigating into a dead end for that last little stretch. When that happens you need to carefully ease your way down again and regroup.
But eventually, if you are patient and careful and persistent, you make it all the way to the top. Then you can celebrate with a little lunch.
And maybe publish.