#1 Epilogue : “This Is Not (Only) About Me”

For a long time, I believed that a story had to be perfectly written to be worth sharing. If it wasn’t flawless, it wasn’t valuable. But as I began writing these letters, I realized something deeper: this was never about perfection. It was always about purpose.

One day, a friend I deeply admire wrote to me asking for help. He was lost, in the midst of trying to find himself.. After we spoke about him, something unusual happened: I felt a genuine joy, rare in my professional life. That moment made it clear. I needed to do this more often. To share not just what went well, but what hurt, what changed me. .

Because, in the end, this isn’t just about me. It’s about you, reading these words right now.

Over the years, I’ve spoken with colleagues I admire, professionals with decades of experience. I’ve been surprised to hear how many are wondering if they should sell their clinics, if they can keep carrying the weight alone.

I also hear from young dentists, trained with excellence, who feel stuck in clinics where they can’t apply what they’ve learned, or work under fair conditions.

That discontent is real, even if it’s rarely spoken. In our profession, silence often weighs more than the noise. We were never taught to ask for help.. That discontent is real, even if it’s rarely spoken. In our profession, silence often weighs more than the noise. We were never taught to ask for help.

Today, after having hit rock bottom and rebuilt my life with more authenticity, I can say this: I feel well. I work three days a week in clinic. I have space for myself, for my partner, and for writing these reflections. I’m about to become a father. And as I write that, I feel moved.

I didn’t get here unscathed. What got me through was vulnerability, learning to ask for help, to admit I couldn’t do it all, to show up as I truly am, sensitive, imperfect, human.

If these stories offered you a pause, a breath, or a sense of company, I’m grateful.And if you ever feel like you can’t keep going, please don’t think you’ve failed.

Maybe what you need isn’t to escape, but to see yourself differently, with more compassion.

Because sometimes, the next step isn’t outwards, but inwards.

Thank you for reading.If even one word stayed with you—then it was worth sharing.

Bruno