After graduating in 2020 and taking state board exams, I faced the horrible reality of

failing one of the three state dental board exams; I worked as a dental hygienist with a temporary

license permit. During this time, I had high levels of anxiety and depression and eventually was

diagnosed with ADHD. I did have a history of anxiety and depression, and I found myself

spiraling all over again. I knew this dark place was not where I wanted to find myself again, so

while waiting during the grace period until I could test again, I decided to work and saved money

to travel to Colombia and complete a one-month-long yoga teacher training. This was an

experience I thank the universe for because it helped me find comfort in a time of uncertainty,

and I had the honor to make lifelong connections and heal parts of me that needed tender love

and care.

Before applying to the dental hygiene program, I rerouted my academic scope many

times, and looking back, this was not intentional but necessary for my growth. My main focus

was biology, with a minor in theatre, arts, and digital media. After I graduated from the dental

hygiene program, I was met with unforeseen blockages of uncertainty in the face of a global

pandemic. There is a clear emphasis on the need for effective interventions to support student

learning experiences while under distress, focusing on marginalized groups who experience more

significant impacts of distress ( Mesghina, A., Wong, J. T., Davis, E. L., Lerner, B. S.,

Jackson-Green, B. J., & Richland, L. E., 2021). This time of turbulence made me question my

existence, abilities, and life purpose.

During this pivotal part of my life, I often considered picking up my compass and

redirecting my focus like I have in the past. This time, the universe decided for me, and life had detoured.

Chen discusses that those with stronger professional identities or those already

established in their work field had higher intentions to stay within their careers than those who

spent less time in their profession during COVID-19 (Chen, C.-C., Tsai, F. C., & Chen, H. S.,

2023). I knew in my heart, through my encounters and experiences that I was put on this planet

to serve a higher purpose and serve my community, whether it be in healthcare, wellness, the

arts, or the education system. There is a need to learn, reason, and meditate, suggesting that these

practices collectively lead to liberating knowledge (Fiordalis, D. V ., 2021). Giving up hope and

not striving to learn and higher my education was not an option. Even though COVID-19 was a

difficult time for the world, including myself, I reached peaks of adrenaline to create, manifest,

and learn new ways to reach my highest potential and achieve my goals.

This mission to conquer identity and a sense of belonging was vital for my overall

well-being. Professional identity can affect career change intentions, emphasizing the need for

hospitality organizations to focus on cultivating professional identity to prevent high turnover

and uncertainty (Chen, C.-C., Tsai, F. C., & Chen, H. S., 2023). I had no intention of giving up

my aspiration of being a dental hygienist because I loved the field so much, and even though my

delays pained me, I tuned into different avenues to seek healing and rediscover the parts of me

that brought me joy.