Pursuing a creative or artistic career can certainly be fulfilling, but it’s far from certain. Over the years, we’ve heard about the struggles from thousands of artists and creatives – it’s incredibly challenging and it can be tempting to wonder – what if you hadn’t pursued this path. We asked artists and creatives from across the community if they’ve every had those doubts themselves.

Ashley Bevington

I am sooo happy to be a full time artist. It definitely comes with a set of unique challenges, but the benefits outweigh the hardships for me. Don’t get me wrong, I do envy “normal job folks” every now and then. Just this week for example, I have been preparing for a massive Holiday shop update, and it had went live. I felt and immense stress leave my body, until the orders came in and I knew what was next. I packed said orders for an entire day. Read more>>

Andrew R. McCallister

I’ve never been happier and more fulfilled. Now is that to say that I cannot be EVEN MORE fulfilled? Absolutely not. I’m ecstatic to be where I am, where I came from, where I’m going. My Blessings override my stressings, and I don’t even think that’s a word, and I’m ok with that. I’m eternally grateful to be sitting here having a conversation with you and that’s a testament to where I’m at. Read more>>

Coby Cerna

My younger self was always happy being an artist or creative, and didn’t think twice about being one. . I think the older you get, it becomes harder to convince people or yourself that this thing we do is more than just a hobby. Especially when you generate little to no money off of your art. Read more>>

Payton Brown

To say that I’m happy as an artist would be the biggest understatement of all time. I often think about what life would be like if I had not chosen to pursue the arts as a career, and it makes me sad thinking about everything I could have unknowingly missed out on by not following my dreams, but it also makes me so happy and grateful knowing that I decided to go for it! Initially, I wanted to become an orthodontist. Read more>>

Colby Taylor

As a creative, I have learned that while yes, it can be difficult financially to get up and running, it is still something that I find happiness doing! The saying is if you love what you do you won’t work a day in your life…While partially true, it is still very hard work. The long hours editing, marketing yourself and your brand, learning the ins and outs of the industry is tiring, but very rewarding. Read more>>

Trevor O’Connor

I struggle with this everyday, as do we all. I was playing music full time in Austin for a while and that was wonderful, but somewhere along the way I let the party take over my life. I refused to be bogged down any further so I sent myself home to NJ where i’m back at The Original Music School helping run the business and teaching. Read more>>

Joe Strelsky

I love creating. Down to my bones. I feel I am at my most happy when I have an idea for a new song or I hear a musical pattern worth exploring. I am a bartender in my day to day life and I often view that as a companion job to being a musician: You build cocktails in the same way you build/structure a song. You think of different riffs to try on classics. Read more>>

The empress Malika

I am happy as a Creative Artist. I would much rather be a creative artist than have a 9-5 job. I love the idea of being my own boss and having creative control over my endeavors as a creative artist. It kind of sucks having to spend so much time doing something you don’t really enjoy doing just because you need the money. Read more>>

Cierra Smith

I do often think of what or where my life would be if I wasn’t on an art path or just had a regular job. It reminds me that i am very lucky to be able to earn a living by being art & creating. I continue to turn my life into art in every aspect i can and i wouldn’t be whole without that freedom. Read more>>