Trying the Waters

An Introvert in the Veterinary World

Me — the quiet, introverted one — now walking into a busy veterinary and 24/7 Emergency Care hospital every day. The noise, the chaos, the nonstop fast pace… it’s a lot. It’s very exhausting, draining — mentally, physically, emotionally. If I’m being completely honest, most days I come home with barely enough energy to even think straight and just want to take a shower and get in bed to sleep. But here’s the thing: I chose this myself, to try out this industry.

Why? Simple. Love. Love for animals.

Growing up, animals have always been my safe space. Animals don’t expect small talk. They don’t judge, and they love back in ways that feel so pure and honest— and that’s enough. So even though I’d heard all the warnings about working in this field — the burnout/severe exhaustion, the long hours, the emotional toll, the tough and disrespectful clients — a part of me still wanted to see it for myself. I’ve always been the kind of person who needs to experience things firsthand. I don’t just take someone else’s word as truth. I’m open-minded like that.

And now that I’m here… yeah, they were right.

It is hard. It is very draining. This industry isn’t soft at all — it’s real, raw, and often thankless. And for someone like me who recharges in silence and needs space to breathe, working in this nonstop fast-paced, emotionally charged environment has felt like throwing myself into very deep water without knowing how to swim. 

But somehow, I’m still here. Still showing up.

Because somewhere beneath the stress and noise, there’s still something beautiful. A wagging tail that wasn’t wagging yesterday. A cat that finally lets me touch it. A scared pet owner who whispers “thank you” with tears in their eyes. Those are the quiet moments that speak the loudest to me. They’re the reason I stay a little bit longer. They’re the reason I keep trying, even when everything in me wants to hide.

I don’t know how long I’ll stay in this field. Maybe this is just a chapter. Maybe it’ll turn into something more, or maybe not. But I’m proud of myself for stepping in. For trying the waters. For doing something that scared me — and still scares me — but doing it anyway.

This might not be the perfect fit, and that’s okay. What matters is that I gave myself the chance to find out.

Till next time— JLai out! 😎✌🏼

About The Writer

An introvert at heart, just trying to navigate my personal and work life quietly and honestly. I believe in listening and observing more than speaking, and learning through doing. This space is just me being unapologetically myself — one story at a time.