Everyday, somewhere, there is an aspiring artist or creative daydreaming about pursing their creative career full time. Everyday, there are countless creatives thinking about whether to pursue their passion more seriously and so we wanted to hear from folks who’ve made the leap. We asked them to reflect on if they wish they had started sooner or if they feel they would have been better off if they had waited a bit longer.

Daniel Gorman

I always knew I would work as an artist in some capacity from the time I was 5 years old. I majored in Medical Illustration in college and initially felt I was on the right path coming out of school, but a decision I made to take one job over another for reasons I now look back on as silly and ill advised, set me drastically off the course I wanted to be on. Read more>>

Ian Goldstein

I sometimes wish I had started sooner. I’m always obsessing about time. Even when I was 10 years old I remember watching the oscars with my brother and thinking “I need to be the youngest person to ever win a best a screenplay oscar.” Read more>>

Lynne Golodner

While I began my career as a journalist in New York City, writing every day, and really began writing professionally even earlier, in high school, for a local newspaper, I wasn’t doing what I’ll call creative writing as my main focus until my 50s. Read more>>

Frank A. Ruffolo

I started writing in my 60’s. I wished the voices in my head started earlier for now as I approach my 80’s There is so much more I can write with as I reach the end of my time to do so. Read more>>

Jennie Webb

Honestly, at this point in my life it’s hard to answer this question. Twenty or so years ago – when I was turning 40 and started to really focus on my work as a playwright – I might have said “Ack! Why didn’t I figure this out sooner!  Read more>>

Cat Miggs

Ten years ago I would have said I wished I started sooner, so much so, I would cry myself to sleep thinking back to what I thought were regrets, failures, lost opportunities, and bad luck but now I understand the universe has a plan for me. Read more>>

Elle Taylor

I would have started sooner. I’ve been a writer from a very young age. Writing poetry. But I didn’t think I had any musical talent so I didn’t pursue that avenue. Read more>>

Juliana Kokolari

I wish that I had started sooner. The most important thing for someone in a creative field to have is time. Time to create more work, have more shows, experiment more, and most importantly the time to fail and recover from it. Read more>>

Alvin Christmas

You know, I see actors all the time who find great success and fame in their early years, and I’m all jealous because I feel like I could do the same thing if someone would just give me a CHANCE! Read more>>

Nathly DiMacco

If I could go back in time, I would definitely have started my creative career sooner. I’d been writing songs and creating melodies since I was about 8 years old but was always deterred from showcasing it. Read more>>

Carola Kolbeck

It’s easy to look back on life and think: What if? What if I’d done this instead of that? What if I’d decided to pursue this thing instead of that? Read more>>

Carlod Cipriano

I really wish I had started sooner! There’s this quote I came across that really spoke to me, something like “As soon as you figure out what it is you want to do, just go for it.” Read more>>

Emanuel Brown

I often ponder on this question and I definitely starting writing music at a young age but didn’t really start going all in until my twenties which could be late in the Hip Hop/R&B realm. Read more>>

Stacey Danevicz

I’ve had a creative streak for as long as I can remember, but I do wish I had learned to sew at a much younger age. Perhaps – at least this is what I tell myself – I would now be sewing entire wardrobes for myself and my family at this stage of life. Read more>>

Danielle Jones

I’ve been passionate about art since I was a child. In elementary school, my talent was recognized, and my drawings were even featured in the “Healthy Bear” calendars. Read more>>