Ph.D. work seems like a drag sometimes, is this normal? I am a math researcher working in number theory. During my college years I heard all the stories of great mathematicians, icons of the subject who dedicated most of their time to mathematics research (think Gauss, Euler etc). And that motivated me. I always seemed to do well in math at college. I secured top ranks at  graduate and undergraduate exams. I cleared the national entrance exam in mathematics (CSIR, India) and got admitted into a Ph.D. programme. Now that I'm pursuing a Ph.D things are not as I had envisioned. There are days where I just don't feel like it. Some parts of math are hard and it seems like a drag. Also I conduct classes thrice a week which I am not enthusiastic about and on some days I just don't wanna do it. 

I have this idea of a perfect job where you come in to work everyday and are captivated by what you do and everything just flows. But that's not what I am experiencing. Is this normal? I’m confused. Its not like I have lost interest  rather that I'm not as in to it as I would like to be.
This is quite normal - it is possible to be passionate about the topic, but at times, to be not so enthusiastic about the work involved.  This could be a sign that you are need of a bit of a break, or in the worse case, heading towards a burnout.

A few things to reflect on:


Are you getting enough sleep, exercise and eating well?
Are you making time to visit and go out with family, friends and other like-minded academics?
Are you giving yourself some time out to pursue other interests and hobbies?
There would have been times that the greats of the topic felt the same.


These greats of the field more than likely had days when they also could not be bothered.

Specifically, why not consider the following:


The days when the mathematics is very difficult, take these as challenges (rather than hurdles) to accomplish (rather than just overcome)
Teaching the class could be opportunities to refine your mathematical (and mathematical communication) skills and similar type of skills.
Is there anything you can change to make your situation more enjoyable?


It is very normal.