Hi Danny! After randomly subscribing to "Danny's Garden" this week, the first post i got notified about was nothing else but this letter. And what can I say other than thank you!!! Life has made it work in a way that I subscribed to your letters just in the time period when I'm about to take some life-changing decisions to follow my dream (which in my case IS medicine haha:) and while i'm in a very vigorous and unsure process of applying for my dream med school. And wow, reading this letter made me re-evaluate my motivations and still reminded me that there's other aspects of life worthy of love and energy, inside and outside of medicine. And as a student with a degree that i don't resonate with anymore, reading this letter gave me just an additional reminder that it's ok to be lost and wandering and trying out all the different passions one has, and that, at the end of the day, it's worth following the heart, no matter what that means for each and every one of us. We're all going through such similar things, just in our own ways, and it is unbelievably appreciated that this kind of posts make us realize this and feel less alone in our own experience. And for that, thank you :')))))
Now sorry for the unnecessarily long comment, I just wanted to thank you for this serendipitous letter and wish you all the best in the following of your heart :)
Synchronicity is crazy sometimes haha! Whatever your heart truly wants, chase it completely and without regrets. I'm glad I could connect with you through my wandering and uncertainty. Thanks for reading :)
i came across your notes and i'm honestly just so struck by your voice and authenticity. i admire your vulnerability so much and am hoping you smash those dreams <3 as a student myself (coincidentally interested in neurobiology or something of the sort but also a lover of journalism and music) i'm so glad i read your story. i don't know if medicine is something i want to commit to for the rest of my life but it's inspiring to see someone leaving the "safe" career and truly chasing their dreams. i'm wishing you the best!!
Hey, thank you! What I’m doing is not for everyone but it gets me excited to wake up in the morning. I think a little bit of neuro knowledge goes a long way so I’d recommend studying a little, and I hope you also find something you love in what you do.
I was completely clueless as to where I want my life flowing so I ended up going to medical school. I didn't have any particular interest in medicine however it seemed like a 'safe' route. Third year in, I find myself loathing my decision, wishing I could go back in time to change the course of my life. I love writing and numbers much more than memorizing facts. I am at crossroads in my life and I really needed this essay, thank you.
I kinda foresaw myself going into it as the safe option and regretting the time I’d spent on medicine instead of my true passions. I hope you either figure out what you want to do instead, or, if it’s right for you, find a way to reconcile medicine and your love of writing and numbers.
I absolutely encourage nurturing your artistic spirit, however you can. If you can reconcile it with your law career, all the better. For me it wasn't possible. Good luck with the substack, hilarious publication name.
from one past pre-med to another, i don't regret leaving this long lost love/dream for something more abstract. we deserve to live lives where we love and experience fully and without boundaries! shoutout to you for doing one of the scariest things not many will always do - being honest enough with yourself to know and honor your true desires <3
fr -I was lowkey rooting for medicine most of the way through '’cause I have mad love for my doctor. He plays trombone in this little local band, and it’s like music is his secret superpower. I swear it changes how he listens, how he shows up when I'm trying to explain what my med problem is. I'm so grateful for that kind of energy.
But the way you broke it down? It’s clear you made the move that’s right for you. And I already know the part of you that took you to medicine: the care, the curiosity, the way you listen, is gonna show up in the music.
Go 'head boy! You got this and don't need luck ,but good luck anyway.
“But first, while the body’s still warm, let’s take a scalpel to it and determine the cause of death.” oh, wow 🥹🥹 this was wonderful to read; and i feel the sense of mourning from it, but I hope nothing but peace is ahead for you. a few years ago i had gotten very ill due to a virus (+ the embassy lost my passport so i couldn’t take my finals rip) and had to come back to europe from canada to pursue compsci instead of astrophysics which was my passion; but things are working out well for me, regardless. i have the tendency to constantly look back as sometimes my degree just feels like grunt work, so this resonates with me so much; best of luck for everything :) 🤍🤍
This was wonderfully written, Danny. I am going through something similar: waffling between the paths of choosing the sensible, medical profession or taking the risk of doing something that will nurture my soul but not my wallet. It's hard, and it comes with a terrible kind of grief to realize you're trying to put on a life that no longer fits. You're not alone in this—in fact, I'd say you're in great company. I wish you the best of luck with your music!!
Thank you! I hope you find a way to nurture your artistic spirit without compromising your livelihood. It doesn’t always have to be one or the other, and if you can reconcile the two it’s the best of both worlds.
But if you feel the calling towards a full career in the arts and you build up enough evidence that you could succeed… then jump.
Wonderful essay! You took a 180 degree path to mine (many years ago). I started at Berklee and ended up a Psychology Professor. In the end, my reasons were almost exactly the same as yours. Career A was not my true passion and Career B was. Ironically, my next post will be about my path, only at career’s end. I think you find music to be as demanding and grueling as Medicine. But if it is your calling, you won’t mind. I wish you the same good fortune! P.S. if you want an even closer career path check out that of Allen Sloan, MD… former violinist from the Dixie Dregs.
Interesting hearing it from the other side. I did my music program at Berklee as well! I agree that music + the creative lifestyle will be every bit as difficult as medicine would have been, just in a different way. But I’ll be excited and not dreading it. Thank you!
danny i felt you read my letters and sang them out loud.
at the ripe age of 18, i was switching majors mid college applications. some places i applied to with a business major and others with a literature and even some as a nursing major i had no idea what i wanted to do but i wanted fulfillment. Monetary fulfillment, emotional fulfillment, generational-trauma-heroine-validated-by-family fulfillment.
and i got in. studying for a bs in nursing. and it was a lot of bs. i self sabotaged my journey so i wouldn’t have to announce the truth which was i didn’t like nursing! i hated it! i wanted to help people but not like this, why was this the only way to help and still make money?! but when i switched to pr/advertising and marketing and started working with nonprofits i found my own satisfaction and fulfillment. and what can i say? it felt like i was finally breathing air. and i imagine that’s how you felt too.
like being able to inhale the first summer’s breeze or remembering you can ride a bike and then wondering why you ever stopped. like picking up the pen to write and realizing damn my handwriting is shit but damn i can still write.
i am elated you took your first breath. and endlessly ecstatic for you to keep creating with every breath after.
hey nazari, it does feel like a huge weight off my back. I'm still nervous bc of the uncertainty but very excited to figure it out as I go. thanks for sharing your experience and for the support
Thank you for your writing, Danny! I have such similar feelings regarding music and my career. A year ago I began an online mater's program in Analytics and I've never lacked more motivation academically. Music has always been my soul's strongest calling and releasing my own has been at the top of my bucket list for years. However, I always felt that I was naturally better at math and academics, and so felt those ought be what I contribute to the world first and foremost. Not to even mention the vast financial canyon between the two paths. Though the more years of school I collect, the less worth it feels to be running models while the neck of my les paul just gets colder. Don't get me wrong, I love math and computer science, and I'd miss it and probably regret it if I gave them up, but it doesn't even come close to the way I feel about art and music.
For the time being, I've settled on maintaining a modest career in healthcare technology which hopefully enables me to fund musical projects on the side, but boy is it tough to think about how much I could be improving my craft with the time and energy I've been dedicating to setting myself up for a comfortable 9-5. I just remind myself that I couldn't keep myself from music if I tried and it’ll be part of my entire life beyond my working years. I'll just have to keep getting comfortable with the perpetual tug-of-war within.
Proud of you (as much as an internet stranger can be) for committing to a decision that feeds your humanity and honors your heart. It sounds like you are carving yourself an authentic and fruitful path, not denying yourself the allowance to make a sharp turn and accept that who you are might require a box in a different shape than the one you've been trying to build.
Thank you for sharing your experience! People used to tell me to ‘follow my gift’ which definitely meant quantitative/academics. But I’ve decided to follow my passion instead. Agreed about the financial requirements to practice and artistic pursuits and it’ll be a long time before I’m able to sustain myself of my art alone. The way I see it, the money + fame are stepping stones to the real goal: a lifestyle of autonomy, creation + connection w others.
Hi Danny! After randomly subscribing to "Danny's Garden" this week, the first post i got notified about was nothing else but this letter. And what can I say other than thank you!!! Life has made it work in a way that I subscribed to your letters just in the time period when I'm about to take some life-changing decisions to follow my dream (which in my case IS medicine haha:) and while i'm in a very vigorous and unsure process of applying for my dream med school. And wow, reading this letter made me re-evaluate my motivations and still reminded me that there's other aspects of life worthy of love and energy, inside and outside of medicine. And as a student with a degree that i don't resonate with anymore, reading this letter gave me just an additional reminder that it's ok to be lost and wandering and trying out all the different passions one has, and that, at the end of the day, it's worth following the heart, no matter what that means for each and every one of us. We're all going through such similar things, just in our own ways, and it is unbelievably appreciated that this kind of posts make us realize this and feel less alone in our own experience. And for that, thank you :')))))
Now sorry for the unnecessarily long comment, I just wanted to thank you for this serendipitous letter and wish you all the best in the following of your heart :)
Synchronicity is crazy sometimes haha! Whatever your heart truly wants, chase it completely and without regrets. I'm glad I could connect with you through my wandering and uncertainty. Thanks for reading :)
Beautiful read Danny. The way you make art with your words alone makes me excited for your creative journey.
i came across your notes and i'm honestly just so struck by your voice and authenticity. i admire your vulnerability so much and am hoping you smash those dreams <3 as a student myself (coincidentally interested in neurobiology or something of the sort but also a lover of journalism and music) i'm so glad i read your story. i don't know if medicine is something i want to commit to for the rest of my life but it's inspiring to see someone leaving the "safe" career and truly chasing their dreams. i'm wishing you the best!!
Hey, thank you! What I’m doing is not for everyone but it gets me excited to wake up in the morning. I think a little bit of neuro knowledge goes a long way so I’d recommend studying a little, and I hope you also find something you love in what you do.
I was completely clueless as to where I want my life flowing so I ended up going to medical school. I didn't have any particular interest in medicine however it seemed like a 'safe' route. Third year in, I find myself loathing my decision, wishing I could go back in time to change the course of my life. I love writing and numbers much more than memorizing facts. I am at crossroads in my life and I really needed this essay, thank you.
I kinda foresaw myself going into it as the safe option and regretting the time I’d spent on medicine instead of my true passions. I hope you either figure out what you want to do instead, or, if it’s right for you, find a way to reconcile medicine and your love of writing and numbers.
Take your time figuring it out!
thank you for your kind words!
The creativity in this piece is overflowing
This really inspired me. Im in my second year as a lawyer at a big law firm and my artistic spirit is screaming out for me to nurture it.
All of the things I thought the title of lawyer would bring me ring hollow in comparison to even a single act of authentic creative expression.
We only get one life, and I’m encouraged whenever I see people like you who opt for the adventure.
Im hoping I’m not far behind you, but for now I’m starting by finding my voice on Substack.
I absolutely encourage nurturing your artistic spirit, however you can. If you can reconcile it with your law career, all the better. For me it wasn't possible. Good luck with the substack, hilarious publication name.
I appreciate the encouragement! And lol thanks - my last name was good for something.
from one past pre-med to another, i don't regret leaving this long lost love/dream for something more abstract. we deserve to live lives where we love and experience fully and without boundaries! shoutout to you for doing one of the scariest things not many will always do - being honest enough with yourself to know and honor your true desires <3
Love !!!! I’m glad your finally able to be happy with the career that your in love with !!👏👏
Great read!
fr -I was lowkey rooting for medicine most of the way through '’cause I have mad love for my doctor. He plays trombone in this little local band, and it’s like music is his secret superpower. I swear it changes how he listens, how he shows up when I'm trying to explain what my med problem is. I'm so grateful for that kind of energy.
But the way you broke it down? It’s clear you made the move that’s right for you. And I already know the part of you that took you to medicine: the care, the curiosity, the way you listen, is gonna show up in the music.
Go 'head boy! You got this and don't need luck ,but good luck anyway.
🙏
“But first, while the body’s still warm, let’s take a scalpel to it and determine the cause of death.” oh, wow 🥹🥹 this was wonderful to read; and i feel the sense of mourning from it, but I hope nothing but peace is ahead for you. a few years ago i had gotten very ill due to a virus (+ the embassy lost my passport so i couldn’t take my finals rip) and had to come back to europe from canada to pursue compsci instead of astrophysics which was my passion; but things are working out well for me, regardless. i have the tendency to constantly look back as sometimes my degree just feels like grunt work, so this resonates with me so much; best of luck for everything :) 🤍🤍
The clarity piece comes through loud. Great to live life with intention and on purpose. Congratulations :))))
This was wonderfully written, Danny. I am going through something similar: waffling between the paths of choosing the sensible, medical profession or taking the risk of doing something that will nurture my soul but not my wallet. It's hard, and it comes with a terrible kind of grief to realize you're trying to put on a life that no longer fits. You're not alone in this—in fact, I'd say you're in great company. I wish you the best of luck with your music!!
Thank you! I hope you find a way to nurture your artistic spirit without compromising your livelihood. It doesn’t always have to be one or the other, and if you can reconcile the two it’s the best of both worlds.
But if you feel the calling towards a full career in the arts and you build up enough evidence that you could succeed… then jump.
Wonderful essay! You took a 180 degree path to mine (many years ago). I started at Berklee and ended up a Psychology Professor. In the end, my reasons were almost exactly the same as yours. Career A was not my true passion and Career B was. Ironically, my next post will be about my path, only at career’s end. I think you find music to be as demanding and grueling as Medicine. But if it is your calling, you won’t mind. I wish you the same good fortune! P.S. if you want an even closer career path check out that of Allen Sloan, MD… former violinist from the Dixie Dregs.
Interesting hearing it from the other side. I did my music program at Berklee as well! I agree that music + the creative lifestyle will be every bit as difficult as medicine would have been, just in a different way. But I’ll be excited and not dreading it. Thank you!
What a brave choice 🌹.
danny i felt you read my letters and sang them out loud.
at the ripe age of 18, i was switching majors mid college applications. some places i applied to with a business major and others with a literature and even some as a nursing major i had no idea what i wanted to do but i wanted fulfillment. Monetary fulfillment, emotional fulfillment, generational-trauma-heroine-validated-by-family fulfillment.
and i got in. studying for a bs in nursing. and it was a lot of bs. i self sabotaged my journey so i wouldn’t have to announce the truth which was i didn’t like nursing! i hated it! i wanted to help people but not like this, why was this the only way to help and still make money?! but when i switched to pr/advertising and marketing and started working with nonprofits i found my own satisfaction and fulfillment. and what can i say? it felt like i was finally breathing air. and i imagine that’s how you felt too.
like being able to inhale the first summer’s breeze or remembering you can ride a bike and then wondering why you ever stopped. like picking up the pen to write and realizing damn my handwriting is shit but damn i can still write.
i am elated you took your first breath. and endlessly ecstatic for you to keep creating with every breath after.
hey nazari, it does feel like a huge weight off my back. I'm still nervous bc of the uncertainty but very excited to figure it out as I go. thanks for sharing your experience and for the support
Thank you for your writing, Danny! I have such similar feelings regarding music and my career. A year ago I began an online mater's program in Analytics and I've never lacked more motivation academically. Music has always been my soul's strongest calling and releasing my own has been at the top of my bucket list for years. However, I always felt that I was naturally better at math and academics, and so felt those ought be what I contribute to the world first and foremost. Not to even mention the vast financial canyon between the two paths. Though the more years of school I collect, the less worth it feels to be running models while the neck of my les paul just gets colder. Don't get me wrong, I love math and computer science, and I'd miss it and probably regret it if I gave them up, but it doesn't even come close to the way I feel about art and music.
For the time being, I've settled on maintaining a modest career in healthcare technology which hopefully enables me to fund musical projects on the side, but boy is it tough to think about how much I could be improving my craft with the time and energy I've been dedicating to setting myself up for a comfortable 9-5. I just remind myself that I couldn't keep myself from music if I tried and it’ll be part of my entire life beyond my working years. I'll just have to keep getting comfortable with the perpetual tug-of-war within.
Proud of you (as much as an internet stranger can be) for committing to a decision that feeds your humanity and honors your heart. It sounds like you are carving yourself an authentic and fruitful path, not denying yourself the allowance to make a sharp turn and accept that who you are might require a box in a different shape than the one you've been trying to build.
Thank you for sharing your experience! People used to tell me to ‘follow my gift’ which definitely meant quantitative/academics. But I’ve decided to follow my passion instead. Agreed about the financial requirements to practice and artistic pursuits and it’ll be a long time before I’m able to sustain myself of my art alone. The way I see it, the money + fame are stepping stones to the real goal: a lifestyle of autonomy, creation + connection w others.