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.

Jerzy Przybylski

ASCAP Membership…. This is an interesting story…As you know is not easy be a full member of ASCAP..Songs or Music has to be played by Major Radio Stations…in order to do that one has to send songs to programs directors with hope that they will use them in Radio rotation…this is almost impossible for un publish artist. Read more>>

Emily Hulslander

I think being an artist/creative with somewhat grandiose goals and dreams can be detrimental at times to one’s happiness. It’s that constant feeling of wanting more for yourself and your talent, the insatiable desire to achieve the ever moving goalpost of “success.” Read more>>

Tyler Dorr

For some of us, being naturally inclined towards creativity and having a passion for creation begins at a young age, I believe. Ever since I could recall holding a pencil, I found myself expressing imaginative images through mark-making. Read more>>

Elaine Li

When I assume the role of an artist or creator, I feel a deep sense of excitement and fulfillment. Creating art always excites me; it’s something I’m truly passionate about! Read more>>

Camilla Wildman

What I love about being an artist is how all encompassing it is. While surely, there is a calculable number of hours I might paint, sketch, email, and network each week, it is only a piece of the puzzle. Read more>>

Darin Gilliam

I find myself only wondering what it would be like to have a “regular job” when business has been slow or overly stressful. I am very happy as an artist and creative. Read more>>

Heather Horror

I am certainly happiest as an artist and creative, but even still, that does not come without its challenges. I have worked “regular” jobs most of my life, and every single one of them felt highly unsatisfying. Read more>>

Jiayi Zhang

I would honestly say that it really depends on the situations that I have to face at the different time. For instance, I will be extremely happy if I am doing my personal work, which I have no rules and restrictions but showing my own creativity. Read more>>

Nico Martinez

I like to try to think of being a musician as a ‘real job’–I use my skills to fulfill a purpose in the world to the best of my ability and get compensated in return. Read more>>

Kristen Sachs

Being a crochet artist brings me so much joy. As for wondering what it would be like to have a regular job, I already know because that’s what I used to do! Read more>>

Juan Andrés Ospina

I have become so used to uncertainty that, although sometimes I have wondered what it would feel like to have a regular job, the thought of it never really lasts long enough for me to take it seriously. Read more>>

Taryn Lewis

Yes, being a full-time Creative is a dream come true! I love the flexibility that comes with being my own boss, working from the comfort of my own home with my furbabies. Read more>>

Jill Colbert

I am so very fortunate that the things that inspire me the most are what I get to do for a living. Creating is what I also do to unwind and relax. What I will say though is that working for yourself it’s a huge endeavor with lots of risks and way long hows. Read more>>

Deepspawn_Logic

As an artist, I am very happy! It keeps me centered and I’m always at peace when in the creative process. I’ve never wondered what it is like to have a regular job because I’ve always had one and even to this day as an artist. Read more>>

Curtis Haynes

To answer these questions I can turn them around. I don’t wonder what it would be like to have a regular job, I know. I wonder what it would be like to work full-time as an artist. Read more>>

Diana Papazian

I don’t have to wonder what it’s like to have a regular job because I did have one. I left my stable government job to pursue my jewelry business full-time in 2017, when our son was 3 years old. Read more>>

Stephanie Jacobs

I am at my happiest place when I’m being creative and bringing life to my work. I feel that creativity is part of my being, it’s when I’m at my most focussed, grounded and at one with the world. Read more>>

Kovats Sánchez

Art is the best way to fuel my feelings and make me happy. It’s the best way to express myself and tell others a deeper story about me. It took me about eight years to finally become a full-time artist after graduating from college in 2010. Read more>>

Sighmon

Being an artist and creative in general has always been a blessing. I’m the happiest version of myself whenever i’m creating, regardless of it gets heard/shown to anyone. It’s a form of therapy for me so any time that i am upset or unhappy, i channel that into my art. Read more>>

Trina Lanza

From a young age, I knew I was most myself within the arts. I loved to draw, design, paint; I went from ballet to gymnastics to dance, and I thought I was quite good at all of these things. Read more>>

Joe Ray

I’m very happy to be an artist now. I think the funny thing is that I made that part of me secondary for so long. For the past few decades I’ve focused on being a design/marketing creative and not an artist. Read more>>

Arkh Zeus

I would say that I am currently unhappy as a creative. I’ve known what it’s like to work a regular job since I was in high school. That aspect of my life hasn’t changed quite yet, and has gotten more in the way of my time to create as I get older. Read more>>

Noah Sills

I’m definitely happy with being someone that is creative. Music is the closest thing to God for me. Even though I got my degree in Business Management at Georgia State University, I really haven’t put too much thought into pursuing any other career path than music. Read more>>

Adriana Gonzales

Embracing myself as an artist and creative has led me to my highest potential. I have always known that I was a creative person and wanted to share my art with other people. Read more>>

Yunior Reyes

Isn’t this the million-dollar question? In the past, my happiness fluctuated because of the ebbs and flows of the industry. Being an actor is a huge part of my identity and so far, I’ve blessed to have worked on many meaningful projects. Read more>>

Avery Cuevas

Yes, I am happy as an artist, although I do sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a “regular” job. I often joke that if this art thing doesn’t work out, I could become a professional organizer. Read more>>

Shannon Mitchell-Wille

I honestly feel like being an artist is my calling in life. I am confident and happy when I am working. The creative process is my happy place. It really is my clam to my chaos in life. Read more>>

Reem Almawed

I chose to answer this question because I am someone with the opposite perspective, someone who has a “regular job.” Ever since I was young, I have always had a love for both art and science, which is how I have come to find myself working in the healthcare industry while creating art and working with STRATUS in my free time. Read more>>

Paras Borgohain

Mostly, it’s the urge to create on the page that has kept me going. The going is tough sometimes – not being aligned with the thoughts of everyone else on the team, the fickle nature of projects, etc. Read more>>

REBECCA ROCKLYNN

Not lately really. When I take a break from music, in a lot of way I’m happier. Less pressure, more money. I’m in the process of transitioning to other things right now. I want to go to nursing school or join the army. Read more>>

Alexa Thibeault

I’d like to state that I am and have always been happy being an artist/creative person. That has always been my armour; something I’m good at and proud of. I chose this question however because I do have a “normal” job. Read more>>

Gonzalo Torres

As you may have heard, this year two strikes shook the film industry to its core. The changes made, and the ones that are still being worked on, were long overdue and a necessity if we want this industry to continue to flourish. Read more>>

Jordan Miller

I am happy with wood working! I make wood pens and I feel it’s a release for me. I can’t have a regular job I am a 100% disabled combat veteran because of my injuries I am unable to have a regular job. Read more>>

Camerron Kyle Dangerfield

I am the most happy that I get the opportunity to create my own life and do it as a profession. In this world, there are many peaks and valleys and often times so much chaos that we can’t tell the difference. Read more>>

HoneyPlug

Yes I am happy, I’d say I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in life doing what I love. It gives me a form of expression and an outlet while also giving me a social life. Read more>>

Nikki MacCallum

I am extremely happy as a creative but the catch is, I do still have a “regular” job. Growing up my parents were extremely supportive of me wanting to pursue a career in the arts. Read more>>