Thank you for this question. I have been struggling with a deadline for my dissertation for personal reasons and feel like giving up on the whole thing. It is unlikely that if I give up on my deadline that I will return to do more academic work. However, I enjoy researching and want to continue to research and write. Just a few days ago I asked my husband if he thought it was reasonable to ignore the deadline and just continue writing my dissertation for myself. He sent me a link to your question today. :)