I quit dentistry after realising this about success

It's been almost 3 years since I stopped practising dentistry, but it's still the most common thing I get asked about. If I'm honest, at the time that I quit my job, I was hesitant to make too many videos about it because I was scared of failing publicly. But I also wish there had been more people talking about this back when I felt stuck so here we go. I also share what I'm up to now which may come as a surprise to you, but it's made me realise how the dots are all connecting, even if you can't always make sense of it

👩🏽 About me:
I left dentistry and the path of 'shoulds' to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. My mission is to help overachievers break free from traditional ideas of success, rediscover their true selves, and craft vibrant lives that balance authenticity with ambition. Together, we can leave behind the 'shoulds' and embrace a life of purpose, clarity, and joy.

👋🏽 Lets connect

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[lindokuhleshandu]

"How your life feels is more important than how it looks." Love that line because it's so true. It's perfectly explains why I'm running at my own pace without falling victim to everyone else's deadlines and expectations of where I'm supposed to be when I'm expected to be there. For example, I've watched my colleagues get themselves nice cars while I remain the only one without a car. That's because I have a different plan for myself which requires me to delay the big purchases, save and invest my money. If I ever was in competition with other people, I would have already spent tons of money I don't have buying things I can't afford just to look good. So, I'm good with that. I rather feel good than pleasing others. I'm learning to live below my means.

[aq]

I did the same thing as you did Akta! Dropped out of dentistry when I was in third year. Mostly because I got failed at one of my clinical exams and I had a chance to retake it after a year. But honestly I was tired and compeletely burnt out so I didn't want to return back to uni to do it. I couldn't face my parents and my siblings and till this day they still think it was a bad choice. But I got my health back. I got time to actually focus on myself for the first time in many many years. You don't just need to succeed academically. You need to see yourself as a full human being with a life outside of work. I got into teaching English in high school which felt nice and I also worked as a kindergarten teacher. Now I am a volunteer at an animal farm which is super nice. I am picking up on going to gym classes and learning more about psychology which I love. I am still not sure if I made the right choice. I clearly have disappointed a lot of people but in the end whose life are you living?

[gretkkaa]

As someone who feels sort of stuck between options, not just necessarily about careers, this made me feel very hopeful. Oftentimes it feels like the easier option is to just stay in your 'comfort zone' (which might not actually be your comfort zone, just all you've ever known), but your gut instinct is there for a reason, its there to guide you to a better place. Thank you so much for this video, I wish you all the best on your journey!! :)

[nirajshah]

Welcome back Akta and thanks for sharing this!! Living a life authentic to you is really important:) it's a journey I am on as well!

Being your authentic self is TOUGH. But it is so worth it!

[FalcaoXTZ]

You are very lucky to be able to give up a career like dentistry to enjoy your passions etc, I wish I could do something like that with the country/economy I live in!

[indierific]

I’m struggling with this sort of life transition right now, so thanks for this video. I got my engineering degrees and have been working for quite a few years but it’s not really working for me. I’m in that phase where I’m trying to figure out what I actually want but I feel a bit lost sometimes.

[Ladyofbeings]

Love your videos Akta! Ignore all the negative comments, they are just miserable in their lives xx

[SaddleSC]

Akta...so glad to see you back! I have followed your channel since the PTYA days. IMO, this was one of the best videos you have ever posted because I feel like you really let us "behind the curtain" and showed your thought process as you navigated this difficult time of your life, while giving others a roadmap to use the same questions in their own lives. This video was just perfectly authentic. I am already looking forward to the next one!

[AgentPanda]

"True intelligence is what you want in life."
- Naval Ravikant

[PhDTee]

It's quite refreshing to hear these words come from someone elses mouth.

I thought I was the only crazy one XD...

P.S loved the vid!

[lesvlogsdejo]

Thank you for sharing your story ❤ It's very inspiring !

[DavidsonJohnson-cg]

I'm an Engineering major, I'm going good in sch probably because I gat good memories and little cheating skills, i think i have lost passion for everything despite i suceed most times i them; School, My side hustle, family. most time i just feel depressed due to the fear of failing my family,

[amb]

Hi Akta! Thank you for making more videos.😊 Although there are tons of videos like this out there, I do really enjoy your narrative style and personal story!
I have two questions for you:
1. How do I know whether my personal success is authentic to myself or a response to other people's expectations? Is it a gut feeling or specific visual image that is helpful as guidance? Probably subjective but would appreciate more of your input on it.
And 2. I find it super interesting and admirable that you found a way to create meaning in your field of dentistry by returning with your own business idea. Do you feel like having given yourself the space to develop personally and professionally apart from dentistry, it has made both creating and pursuing your dream job/purpose in the field possible?
Thanks for taking the time, in case you read this comment! I work in the field of education and am passionate about creating my own business in the future, or better even, purpose in the field as well. Greetings from Germany🧡

[arba]

If you weren't a Dentist, what would you have been?

[obi_wan]

so essentially you decided to take a break, found alternative ways to support yourself, and now are doing something related to dentistry that you find more fulfilling and is still financially rewarding, but not necessarily a clinical hands on dentist. I get it, there is a lot of people like you, who have essentially diverged from their original career/practise.

[chrysn]

Do you think in your early years your creativity was stifled and you went down the maths/science/grades pathway when you’re actually you’re a creative person??

[annaforanna]

Hi ❤ Can you talk more about how to find yourself outside of dentistry?

[Unrealsensor]

Hi, i remember watching you when made a video about ALI and other toxic productivity videos.
i think im about same age as you and during college i started feeling the same, was i really doing this because i want to do it or i just put myself in this by default?
i think it's a normal part of life when we start getting older and realize that time and enjoying life is more important.

[ccs]

Thanks for this. Im going through the same thing. I loved getting awards and climbing the next achievement mountain. Now im like, what was it all for? Im not happy with where i am. I feel like it might be because im single and have been for ages. My brain is looking for deep emotional connection and without it i am restless in my career

[sayuas]

I've never thought of dentists as being on the level of doctors at all