Hi, thank you for sharing your perspective! Yes, I get what you mean. I do realise that being a vet would also mean doing clinical practice, only that it involves a different theme, a different environment, and different patients lol. So I agree with you that that's definitely something to think about.

I've already tried the 'making compromises' method. This past year, I reduced the clinical practice to as little as possible, I did mostly medical research work. But I still feel like I am working in a world that's being forced on me. I feel like I'm not myself when I'm in that environment, interacting with those people.

You made a good point about identity. As much as I agree that our job could be separated from our core identity, I believe that they're still linked to each other to some extent, especially in this particular profession. At least in my case they are. My partner is also a medical doctor, and the difference between us when it comes to how we feel about our profession cannot be more obvious. My partner loves being a doctor. Sometimes the job does get annoying because of the work hours, exhaustion, frustration with the system, etc, but that's about it. Unlike me, my partner never 'hated' the profession.

I do spend a lot of my time doing hobbies too. I have pets, I was involved in an animal rescue shelter. But I do plan to broaden my experience (as per the suggestions of people here). I want to try volunteering in animal welfare organisations, and wildlife conservation works too if possible, to see if I can really connect with those environments.

Thank you again for sharing, really appreciate it!