Is it natural to wonder what life would have been like had you chosen a different path? Is it common? We asked many artists and creatives from all over the country if they’ve ever wondered about whether they should have pursued a more standard career path to see what we could learn from their stories.

Evan Egerer

It’s funny, because I was recently discussing this exact topic with a friend of mine who has bounced between the creative field and the steady paycheck of a regular job. This is such an extensive topic, because I feel that God makes people so different from one another, and what is perfect for me and my family would be a nightmare to someone else, and someone else’s comfortable lifestyle sounds like a prison to me. Read more>>

Stephanie Oplinger

At 20 years old, I was working as a paralegal on a murder case that made national news. At 23, I was working outdoors in a tree nursery, caring for and selling massive trees. By 25 I was crawling through tiny spaces in yellow jumpsuits in nuclear power plants to test pipes for damages. In between it all, I’ve worked in fast food and in retail, as an office manager, as a tutor and teacher, and even a stint studying to be an x-ray tech. Read more>>

Heather Yesenia

Yes, I am so much happier doing what I love, I love to create art. I love the process and the journey; I love the highs and the lows because without them I wouldn’t have grown and become the artist I am today. I love a challenge, I love to learn and create because it truly is a passion of mine. I think when you take a chance on yourself and you do the things you love you live a happier fulfilled life. Read more>>

Cameron Miller

I am definitely happy to be an artist and completing my work gives me a great sense of accomplishment, however, the opposite is also true. There are plenty of times I feel I failed to achieve what I was looking for. Sometimes I start a painting with such high hopes I have no other option but to let myself down. Other times I have no idea what I plan to paint and it ends up being someone’s favorite. Read more>>

Nicolas Gallardo

I am the happiest I have ever been doing what I love to do. It really is true when they say “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”. Of course, I get tired after taking on so many clients, but I am the one who sets that up for myself. I am the one who chooses how many clients I am up to take on in a day and I choose when I want to take a couple days off. My life and how I live it is in my hands and not someone else’s, not some corporation. Read more>>

Chitwara Moise

music is my calling and passion. I feel there is a lot of impact I could positively cause in my world through my art. I’m definitely happy as an artist. I know what its like to have a day job, captivity and less time for yourself most probably doing things you dont care about just for a pay cheque. Read more>>

Paula Cherie

I worked in the corporate world for many years before I gave myself “permission” to quit and pursue my passions full-time. I do think most artists have a different view of the world, and don’t like to be “worker bees”. We will never truly find satisfaction fitting into society’s mold of a typical career. I’m definitely the best version of myself working as a creative, where I can grow both personally, and professionally. Read more>>

Justin Kaleb

I guess that depends on what day it is. I get great fulfillment from having written something that I find meaningful, and an even greater fulfillment when someone else finds it meaningful. But the lows can get pretty low. The hardest part of being an artist for me is finding ways to play and write even when I don’t feel like doing it. Read more>>

Moushumi Ghose

I became a business owner so I could express myself creatively in a variety of ways. Being a business owner has allowed me to wear so many different hats, and to split my time doing the things that I love. As a multi-passionate, I learned that I could never do just “one” thing. I am inspired and alive when I pursue and can do a variety of things. Read more>>

Kylie Sawisch

There is a lot to be happy about when you work creatively and on your own terms! While I consider myself very fortunate to have transformed my passion into a profession, I must admit that it is not without its challenges. Without definitive criteria for determining what is “great work”, it becomes easier for me to doubt my abilities and question whether or not I stack up to the accomplishments of others. Despite these struggles, the fulfillment I find in my work as a perfumer far exceeds anything I encountered while perusing a traditional career path. Read more>>

Hsiao Hsia Huang

I’m Charlotte Huang. I’m a female writer-director who just moved to California two years ago. When I was a kid, maybe in kindergarten, I started writing short stories in my notebook. After I entered elementary school, my favorite part of the day was reading books in my bed before bedtime. I’ve always been attracted to the magic power of storytelling. At first, I wanted to be a novelist. I wrote a lot of romantic novels when I was still in high school, fantasizing about romance and Prince Charming. Read more>>

Chase Mullins

The first part is somewhat tough to answer. I would say that when I am doing the work of being an actor—the prepping, the shooting—that’s when I am my happiest. That feeling of being on set and working is like no other. Sadly, as you will learn almost immediately after becoming an actor, that part makes up only about 10% of the job. Read more>>

Chad Gerber

I don’t really have to wonder about it because I’ve endured around 40 mundane jobs before finally diving into a full-time career as an artist. I pretty much loathed every single moment of those regular jobs because my mind was never fully present. As any artist knows, we’re always chasing the next big idea, constantly lost in our creative realms. Read more>>

Jordan Levy

I am definitely happy as an artist, and wouldn’t trade it for any other career. It allows me to do what I love every day and share that with the world. On the other hand, my experience in this industry could also allow me to work a “regular job” if I wanted. Along with my love for making music and performing, I also have interests in the field of music supervision for film and tv. That is what I went to college to do and even interned for a sync licensing company. Read more>>

Jimi Davies

Happy is myopic. A regular job is an impossibilty for me. The idea of happiness has always intigued me. The idea of “The pursuit of happiness…” is in our Declaration of Independence. At the time, it didn’t mean chasing happiness but actually practicing or achieving happiness. As artists, who decide to “make a living” via their art, we quite literally declare our independence from a “regular job” or “normal career”. Read more>>

RACHEL BALZARINI

After over a decade of wondering this myself, I can now say yes, I am happy as an artist working in a creative field. I feel secure in finally having these feelings after years of looking for “the right job” that would take me out of freelance and give me “stability”. But having full time jobs outside of the art world prior to being a freelancer, I can say out of experience, I prefer the creative path. Read more>>

Kenilworth Katrina

Happy is an understatement when it comes to how I feel being an artist. Being a creator of music is the greatest gift one could ever have. To be able to bring your thoughts to life is a super power that only few have, and I’m 1 of the few. Read more>>

Darla Jackson

I am someone who is very happy as an artist (despite the fact that my work is sometimes about very heavy emotions.) I enjoy the flexibility within my schedule because creativity can look a little different every day. Because I teach, I have some structure and semblance of a regular job but it still offers the opportunity for problem solving and creativity that I enjoy in my own work. I also really enjoy sharing information so its perfect for me. Read more>>

Ka’Deshia Monaé

Yes, I am ver y happy I chose the more artistic creative route. It’s not for the fait of heart because as a makeup artist we do run into “slow” seasons, but I take that opportunity to regroup and adjust. In those times i discover a new way to stay inspired and create. Sometimes I do contemplate going back to corporate America because of the stability, but every time I do try to back I loose my drive and my creativity seems to decrease. Read more>>

Ava Jenkins

Art and creativity has played an integral part in my life, right from my very first memory. However, there was a time I veered towards other interests for awhile, and was set on becoming something very different from an artist. I grew up with my parents, who are both artists. I saw their passion for their livelihoods, but I also saw the stresses a career in art can bring. Read more>>

Alan Toleu

Oh yeah, I’m very content with being a UX designer because being a UX designer who focuses on creating designs that are as accessible as possible can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and society at large. In general, UX design offers a fulfilling career path that can bring happiness in different ways. It allows me to use my creativity and skills to create engaging user experiences that meet users’ needs. Furthermore, it involves solving complex problems, which can be gratifying for designers who enjoy challenges and effective solutions. Read more>>

Aurora Threats

I am quite sure many have found themselves in a similar situation, where traditional jobs didn’t align with their dreams and aspirations. It’s important to recognize and honor your own desires, but in the arts, you always need a cushion. However, having flexibility is crucial, as it allows you to fully explore your creativity and tailor your experiences to your unique talents and interests. While it’s essential to be practical and fulfill your responsibilities, it’s important to take bold steps toward realizing your dreams. Read more>>

Fantasía Graham

As an artist, am I happy? Haha, I live a life that I can honestly say I’m happy about. If I could describe how I feel, doing what I love, I would have to say I am very content. With that being said, feeling content allows me to constantly reach further within my field. There’s this piece of me that has always wanted to be an art professor, whether it be drawing or painting, so who knows. Read more>>

Mariana Flores

Yes I am, very much, I enjoy playing different characters that allow me to understand what a regular job would be, there needs to be a study and an understanding of the role I am playing, in order to do my job. I believe I’ve grown so much since I’ve started doing this, and I am not the same person as before, acting humanizes you even more, you are able to understand others and connect with your emotions even more in a way you grow more compassionate and patient with other, and of course all of this wisdom can be applied to your daily life, your relationships with other and your regular experiences. Read more>>

Robert Frank

Being happy as an artist is a serious understatement, I’ve had a few “regular” jobs in my days but never truly felt like I fit in 100%. It may sound dramatic to some, but being on someone’s time clock is very depressing to me, I could never see myself being someone else’s passive income for the rest of my life. There were times when I was making decent wages but I was never satisfied with what I was doing, came to the realization that a great salary is often a dream killer. It’s easy for some on an everyday basis, and that’s great. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I’m not built for that. So yes, I’m very happy. Read more>>

Jaylon Roberts

I actually do have a regular job. Im a Behavioral Health Technician At Henry Ford. Im happy with the work I do as a creative because it creates this escape in order for me to truly express myself. I wonder what it would be like to do this creative thing full time and earn money this way. Read more>>

Alessandra Manias

I am delighted to embrace my creative nature, a trait I have possessed since birth. Every aspect of my life revolves around my identity as an artist, and I utilize my creativity in all of my endeavors, be it jobs, situations, actions, or activities. Being creative is an inherent part of who I am; it is a mindset, a calling from my soul, and a sensitivity that has been with me since birth. It is the lens through which I perceive the world and the way I choose to live my life. Read more>>

James Gordon

Being a creative is dope. Inspiration comes from EVERYWHERE for me, whether it’s when the leaves turn colors, a new or familiar song comes on, a beautiful woman makes her appearance, and so forth. The above statement has been my process for every art form i participate in. I was a teacher, an honorable profession, for twenty years. I understand the advantages of having a “regular job”. However, there’s an exhilarating feeling to create something on my own or as a part of a collaborative effort. Also, being compensated for such efforts is a HUGE plus because there are projects that are “labors of love”. Read more>>

Hoi Lam Poon

I grew up in a traditional Asian household where caution and conservatism prevailed. Pursuing art as a career was considered uncommon due to its perceived lack of stability compared to more popular professions. Opting to study art meant embracing the risk of an unpredictable future and uncertain income. Nevertheless, I consider myself incredibly fortunate and grateful for the unwavering support my family has shown me in pursuing my passion. Read more>>

Kamiyah Matthews

I am very happy and grateful of being great at what I do which is a makeup artist and a nail technician. i also have a business called sip with style. I had a 9 to 5 for 7 years and decided to just step out of faith and see where it take me , and I can really say I’m glad I did it . In the beginning it was kinda hard trying to build up my clients, networking and selling my products But knew that it all would be good at the end . Just keep telling myself to keep going, push harder and pray. always remember to stay with a postive mindset a smile and a good attitude. Read more>>

Credenda

We are incredibly happy being in the music world and we couldn’t imagine doing anything else! One of our favorite things about being a band is inspiring and reaching people with our songs. It’s always a special thing to hear how our music has touched people at a personal level. Songwriting is one of the most powerful ways to build community! Read more>>