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.

Sigifredo Flores

I have a “regular” job, but my direction has always been to be successful. I never wanted to be a starving artist, why I got to starve for? So I locked in a profession that could sustain my art. I’m a creator and as a creator it’s my job to make things happen. Although I’m busy for 8 hours out of the day, that doesn’t hinder me from focusing on my craft when I get off. You ever hang out with artist? They create no matter what, always evolving. Always moving. Read more>>

Laura-marie Jenks

I’m forever grateful for every opportunity that this career path has given me. I’m blessed to still be in this industry after so many years however I have thought a few times what it would be like to have a normal 9-5 job. I’ve worked in several different jobs growing up before I entered the music and modelling scene. My dream job growing up was to be a hairdresser, I worked in a small salon in Plymouth. From there I worked in a laundry folding towels before getting my job in a building firm warehouse where I was a picker/dispatch. Around this time I got introduced to the music scene and fell in love with it, the rest is history. With that being said though in between tours, I do like to pick up a part time job or volunteer my time. Read more>>

Nhon (nhonsworld)

I think about this all the time! I wouldn’t say that I’m necessarily happier as an artist/content creator. I had a regular corporate job before that I loved, but I was impacted by mass layoffs. Already being a content creator on the side, I took this as an opportunity to see how far I can go on my own talents and am working on starting a small art business as well. Read more>>

Mark Garff

I have a ‘real job’ and a side hobby that’s becoming a bigger commitment. In my real job, I’m a practicing landscape architect, designing outdoor spaces, gardens, landscapes around commercial buildings, parks and trail design, and park and recreation planning. I run the one Montana office for my multi-state company. We bought a house in Montana in 2019, hoping to move in 10 years. Covid sped up the transition from Seattle, and we couldn’t be happier. Once we got here, my job just continued as it always had been, with some new challenges. I’ve always been a “car guy.” But Montana is full of old trucks. So I started taking pictures of the great trucks I was seeing everywhere. I drive all over for work, and try to make time to “find some trucks.” It’s usually pretty easy. Read more>>

Daniel Pinho

Full disclosure, I have maintained a full-time non-creative job throughout most of my artist journey, so I don’t really wonder what it would be like to have a regular job. Instead, I think a lot about how focusing on supporting myself solely through music would change my experience with the medium and whether or not I want that. Read more>>

Greta Zenelaj

Being an artist or creative is a double-edged sword—an exhilarating freedom to create, paired with the weight of uncertainty. I’d say I’m happier as a creative, but it’s not always an easy happiness. There are moments when I crave the stability of a “regular” job, but when I talk to friends who have one, they often sound bored, caught in routines that feel so foreign to me. It’s hard for me to imagine living like that. Read more>>

Kaylani Jones

I have mostly been happier as a creative lately but there have been moments when I have thought let me focus on regular work it is so up and down in the creative space, especially with the fact that I am a trans creative. We are generally overlooked and probably get the most hate comments so people never want to work with us but when I look at my work and the struggle that it took to get here I seriously just say to myself stop and get out of your head because the meanest person in the comment section is probably your biggest fan. Read more>>

Pooja Campbell

I suppose as an artist, that question frequently rears its head—an unwelcome visitor, frequently rooted in imposter syndrome and fear-based thinking. I once believed that everyone was an artist at heart, but now I’m convinced that true artists are born with an innate desire. There’s an ache that sneaks up when you stray too far from your practice. If I step away for more than a couple of days, I become irritable and restless, uninterested in socializing or doing much else. Read more>>

Nicholas Burks

I would say a lot of times doing what you love or try to invest in things that you want to make money off of for sure. It can sometimes be a lot of overwhelming activities. But I’ll say this if you have faith in what you’re trying to accomplish and also in what you’re doing for not just yourself, but for everyone in the whole, you can keep on pursuing it. I ran into a lot of complications of people, not understanding my music to people, categorizing my music into something that it was not at all. And I had to figure out that the music I make is a full description of myself, and I should be able to be proud of it and describe it to people. So all that to say, if you have a dream, a vision, a goal and something you want to pursue. Do not stop. Hey, keep going. It is there for you and people that really want it for you, just as much will be with you on that journey. Read more>>

Kiana Renee

I would say I have more peace on being in control with the direction I want to take in my life not just as a creative but as an individual. I do ponder on the idea of having a regular job for more stability and mental security but the thought of giving someone else my time and energy when I can pour it into my craft always outweighs. However, the last time I had a thought was during the time I had just started getting booked for features that weren’t paid. During this time I also didn’t have a job and the bookings weren’t always local. I had to price for gas and food and with little to no money coming in, had me questioning was it worth it. I started to see the hustle in me come out, many times I would try to sell five books a show just so that I could buy some food and put gas in my car. Read more>>

Erin Szoch

I am happier as a creative. It gives me the flexibility I need while creating content I enjoy. I once had a “regular” job, and often questioned its worth. By that, I mean I was constantly stressed and unhappy. I don’t miss having a job, though I may miss the routine and feeling the grind. Read more>>

Joe Ruff

Every. Damn. Day. Maybe it’s just a “Grass is greener” mentality, but with the inconsistency of freelance work, I’m constantly longing for the stability and steady paycheck that comes along with a normal 9-5 job. I’ve also never had one. Read more>>

Nelson Etok

I’ve never been happier in my life than I am doing what I love painting. Being an artist gives me the freedom to express myself in ways that words never could. Every time I pick up a brush, I feel connected to something bigger, and it reminds me why I chose this path. Read more>>

Paige Rains

Looking back, I realize I’ve always been a maker, a creator, an artist.. even though I never used to think of myself as “creative.” I’ve always loved crafting and am happiest when I’m creating something, whether it’s cooking up a meal in the kitchen, painting or redecorating a room in my house, building something new in my business, or telling someone’s story through photography. Read more>>

Patricia Ferguson

I’m a creative and very happy that I am. And no, I never wonder what it’s like to have a regular job. There is enough context around me in my everyday life to know what to expect— there are no surprises. The creative journey is so deeply ingrained in who I am. As a Strategic Visionary and Creative Concept Artist, I thrive on embracing the visionary me as a creative, with the freedom to innovate, explore and experiment seamlessly integrating my skills across various domains—from festivals to public policy, and everything in between. Read more>>

Raa

I wouldn’t trade being an artist/creative for anything else in this world,
Although, I don’t dismay artists working a regular job especially one that supports their overall passion or they put time in their craft coincidingly. All of my 20s were spent learning trade skills, life skills, & business skills between Woodbridge and San Diego while elevating myself rapping, producing, and now engineering skills. I told myself in March 2023 when I quit my Amazon delivery job that now, the real work begins. The success I envisioned wasn’t just going to come overnight, but through believe in myself and the decision to be unapologetic honest has brought about blessings in ways I never visualized beforehand. Consistency and perspective is the greatest form of self-empowerment. Read more>>

Myc Daz

This is a question every artist or artrepreneur thinks about every time we’re staring at a blank screen or canvas – scraping pennies together for dinner – chasing a client who hasn’t paid – had a month – or two – or three with no leads – worked their hands raw juggling multiple clients and timelines – had to borrow money from a friend or family – had an injury are fallen ill with no insurance – or had to navigate this experience with no mentor, support, or blueprint. Read more>>

Will Carriker

As a musician/artist – I could not live any other way. It is truly a blessing from God that I found my dream, and am currently following that path. I have had “normal” jobs – and without sounding super lazy, it just drove me insane. Creative people are almost incapable of just staying on the same straight path all the time. Sometimes the thought pops into my head that I almost envy people who are content with their 9-5, coming home to watch TV then go to bed to do it all over again. The simple lifestyle and mindset is appealing if you know what its like to have an endless amount of things running through your head 24/7, but then I remember how rewarding the exploratory way of living is. Read more>>

Aignee’ Lashay

1000% happier as a Makeup Artist! I’ve worked the regular 9-5 during times where I felt like Makeup Artistry just wasn’t cutting it. Clientele wasn’t steady enough or just a slow season. The regular jobs weren’t fulfilling. I even tried working for a few major makeup retailers thinking I’d find enjoyment because it was in my field of expertise, Oh boy was I wrong! I was absolutely miserable. I felt like I couldn’t fully express my creativity. I didn’t feel respected or valued. Instead of being about building confidence and giving the customers what they wanted it strictly became about who could sale the most expensive products. I felt like my overall mission as an artist was being overshadowed. Read more>>

Helene Steene

Always loved to draw and paint but I had several regular jobs while living in Sweden before becoming a full time artist. However, being both shy and unsure whether I could make a living as artist when young, I knew I had to get over being shy somehow. So took myself way outside my comfort zone and became a tourist guide in Spain. Later worked in sales in the travel business in Stockholm, Sweden. Had a great time with both and overcame the shyness….. At age of 26 met an American in Sweden, moved to Washington DC, but did not have a work permit right away, so my husband encouraged me to go back and study whatever I liked. Read more>>