I'll hang out here again. I submitted my dissertation (176 pages) and I finished one of two defense sessions (on which I got "Excellent" scores, so far). I still have one more defense session to go but it's like in two weeks. I'm in a good mood

It's really uplifting to know the last five years of work is coming together and so far, received well enough.
Still have
several things to tidy up over the next few weeks, but the lion's share of work is done. It's a good feeling.
I definitely don't regret taking a break from <the internet>. In addition to better focus, I think the separation put me in a better mindset in general. I was a little overdramatic in my exit though and I apologize for that.