system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
PhDs/close-to-PhDs, do you feel proud/accomplished?

Weird question, I know, but it's heavy on my mind. I'm close to finishing my PhD and I have such mixed feelings about it. I don't feel proud or accomplished, I just feel... exhausted, I think. Perhaps even a little bit disappointed, or maybe ashamed is a better word. Ashamed for not doing more or being a better job candidate or having more publications.

Objectively, there are things I should be proud of - a PhD isn't exactly a walk in the park, but I'm on track to finish in a reasonable amount of time and with high marks in my classes. I designed and carried out my own research project on a topic that is very important to me and I think is an important social problem, and it went off without a hitch and produced some really great data. My parents are proud of me. My advisor is proud of me (I think - it's hard to tell sometimes, but she's excited about my project, I know that much).

I'm not sure if it's the stress of finishing up, the stress of being on a highly competitive job market, the stress of closing the door on this looooong, comfortable period of my life and launching out into the unknown, or.... whatever else, but I just feel overwhelmed and *under*accomplished. 

Did/does anyone else feel this way? If you did, did it go away or lessen, and when? If you feel this way right now, how do you cope?
gpt
According to the latest census figures, about 1% of the U.S. population has earned a PhD. 

It's easy to feel underaccomplished when you start your first job as an assistant professor and realize that everyone in your department has the same credential and has been doing this for longer. It feels about as special as a driver's license. If you yell down the hallway, "Quick show of hands - who's got a doctorate?" it's everyone. Try this at 3am in a Wal-Mart and you'll get a very different result. 

A PhD is a big accomplishment and something to be proud of - even if your mom doesn't understand what it is that you really do. Take some time to celebrate your achievement - go on a trip, splurge on a nice watch, or even a new car. If earning a PhD doesn't make you feel special, maybe seeing a reminder of your success on your wrist or in your driveway will.