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.

Kayleigh Moreland

Oh, the eternal quest for happiness and the pondering of “regular jobs” versus the wild world of creativity! So, here I am, contemplating life like a deep philosopher, or maybe just someone with too much free time on their hands. You see, once upon a time, my dream job was to be a social media manager, the mastermind behind the hashtags and memes. Read more>>

Hayden Rivas

As a dancer, choreographer, and multi-disciplinary artist who has been fortunate to train and work with some of the best in the industry, I have never seriously contemplated giving up my creative career for a regular 9-5 job. The arts are my greatest passion and I’m living my dream. Read more>>

Josh Zammit

For me, being an artist doesn’t have anything to do with happiness, in fact, I think it probably hinders the prospect of long-term contentment in life. While there are those fleeting moments of joy within the creative journey, the bulk of it is characterized by grueling hard work, relentless inner battles, bouts of self-doubt, and the occasional existential crisis. Perhaps this is just my personal process, but for me, the goal is to create great work and express something about being alive that isn’t obvious or easy to articulate. Read more>>

Kara Cartwright

I am extremely happy as a creative. I don’t wonder about having “regular” jobs – I’ve had them, but they were a means to an end. I don’t think I’d ever be satisfied if my day-to-day didn’t include art in some way. Read more>>

Ethan Feider

My story is that of massive ups and downs. I had always known that working as an artist would be my highest calling from a very early age, but I wrestled with whether or not that passion was legitimate or just wishful dreams for a very long time. For that reason, I have found myself working Jobs that are FAR from what I want to be doing, and never have I been more depressed and unhappy in my whole life. Read more>>

Christina Alba

Yeah, I’m happy. Like everything in life you experience the highs and lows but I really enjoy what I do. It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s different every time and it keeps you on your toes. This industry is definitely not for the weak, that’s forsure, but I wouldn’t do anything else. It’s important to me that my work fulfill me and i’ve always found it in dance and producing. Read more>>

Alexandra Pritchard

I love what I do. I really, really do. Of course, in moments of frustrations, I ask the sky why wasn’t I given the passion for something a bit more stable? Something like architecture or accounting or something not entirely dependent on something as fickle and human as music. But, I truly cannot imagine doing anything else. Read more>>

Moriah McDaniel

I am overjoyed! The fact that I get to be able to act, dance and write full-time is a blessing! A lot of up and coming artists/creatives don’t get the privilege to only focus on the craft. I get to put my all into it, and I get to take the opportunities that come my way. My creativity is where I breathe and thrive. Read more>>

Ashley Cole

I am extremely happy as an artist. I also have a full time job, but exploring what it would look like to pursue art full time. I typically would work during the week and paint every weekend. my ideal schedule is to paint during the week and to have weekends open. Read more>>

Jessenia

I believe the common misconception is when pursuing the creative industry, an individual must cease one for the other. Many of us are hidden in plain sight. I have met many talented creatives who were also in the military or flipping burgers. I even know of nurses and lawyers in this business. Being a creator is not a choice, but a necessity to be who we are. It follows us wherever we go. Read more>>

Kristen Liu-Wong

Surprisingly, this is a question I have never been asked in an interview although it is something that almost every creative has probably asked themselves at some point. I know that I am lucky to be able to support myself doing what I love and working as an artist has given me some incredible experiences, but it can be difficult to not question your choices when you’re struggling financially. or when you don’t have benefits like healthcare or job stability, especially in this current economy. Read more>>

Valor Aguilar

I think being an artist or a creative right now is a privilege and a blessing; especially when you consider, that most Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. I often feel guilt for not working a regular job, the financial security would be nice, and I understand that its only because of what my parents and grandparents sacrificed that I have the option to do so. But in alignment with positive nihilism, if the world is going to hell in a hand-basket, I would like to burn up while doing something I like at least. Read more>>

Madeleine Mayi

Yes, absolutely. I made a decision when I started my artist career that I wouldn’t put pressure on my art to pay all my bills. For me, money is money and art is art. As a musician, I definitely have tunnel vision. Read more>>

Eliana Rubin

I do have a job outside of the arts! My full-time work is in Jewish educational consulting, focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI+B). I help organizations, institutions, and individuals lift up the voices of marginalized communities within the larger Jewish population and affirm all identities (both dominant and marginalized) to foster cultures of belonging for all. Read more>>

Soo Kim

I’ve had a corporate job as a designer/art director in the fashion and beauty industry for over 10 years. The creative part was absolutely fun. Planning campaigns, photoshoots, all the glitz and glam that came with the job. However, politics were always involved and my creative juices withered away quickly. Read more>>

Michelle Stanek

I am so happy as a creative! I have also worked several “real jobs” – from a Director of Membership at a social club, Art History professor, Program Curator for a non-profit and so on. Read more>>

Phyllis Katz

I know what it’s like to have a regular job. I’ve had many. That’s how most of us pay our bills while we’re creating, before and in between the times we’re paid to do what we love. Read more>>

Eboney Merriman

I always struggled with this question my whole life. I was never really asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, so I never thought of it. That is until I found my passion in art. As I was still finding myself as a creative, I love to record songs in music, paint on clothes, do makeup and CREAT as a whole. Read more>>

Matt Lomeo

I couldn’t imagine having just a regular job. Making music satisfies me like nothing else. It is my shelter when I am troubled and the wellspring of my passion. I’m privileged to play with the incredible musicians that comprise our scene here in Los Angeles. Just to know and collaborate with so many talented individuals gives me a special sense of belonging that I couldn’t replace elsewhere. Playing music to me is the easiest thing in life. It is a privilege to call it my work. Read more>>

Sally Kim

YES! I love to do creative thinking. I feel joy when my ideas are properly shown to the world. When what I was thinking in my head is implemented, I feel strange, funny, and proud. Gaining weight with small insights or ideas is a complex but fulfilling journey. I wouldn’t have felt or experienced this if I had worked a regular job. Read more>>

Krissy M

I am someone who thrives on structure, having a social life and feeling like a contributor. I spent majority of my working life in an office building where I got that every day. But now I am mainly by myself, managing my home, my art and my son. Read more>>

Tori Sen

Yes, I am happy as an artist and creative. I am grateful to be able to pursue what I love and there is nothing I would rather do. However, being an artist entails a wide range of emotions. One cannot be happy all the time, but I am an artist all the time as it is a part of my identity whereas happiness, like any other emotion, is fleeting by nature. Read more>>

Joe Marquez

We are fortunate enough to live in a time where the decision to pursue a creative job or a regular job is becoming less bifurcated. I’m lucky to have a regular job working remotely as a business analyst for a private money lender where I express my creativity by providing logistical solutions for a company that truly values its employees. During my creative journey, I have focused not just on what I do to accomplish my music goals, but how I want to live while I pursue these dreams. Read more>>

Dario Valenzuela

Am I happy as a creative… Short answer is yes, I am. My life has radically changed ever since I made up my mind to pursue my own business full-time. My fellow believers out there may call it “A God thing” where everything lined up. I met the right people and connected with amazing business owners. Read more>>

Camille Roberts

There are definitely moments where I question what my life would look like if I had a typical 9-to-5 corporate career. Having a steady schedule and income is something that I have not yet experienced, as I jumped into freelance  lighting design right after graduating college. Read more>>

Monika Peña

Oh, that’s a very complex question– if only we had time for my thesis on it! However, as someone who does have a “regular” job, I say yes. I am very happy as an artist. Read more>>

Xindi Zhang

Being an artist brings more than happiness to my life. Because art-making occupies the majority of my life, it’s hard to differentiate it between a job and a hobby. Working as a regular employee before, I understand how tedious the regular job could be if I’m not devoted to the work. Read more>>

Charlie Bahama

This is the toughest question to answer because it all depends on how your career is going at the time, but more importantly, how you perceive your career to be going at the time. As with confidence in our creative ability, it is all in our head. When things are going good and everyone is returning your call and your schedule is full into the unforeseeable future and people seem to love your work, you are grateful and satisfied that you made the right choice to pursue your dreams as an independent creative. Read more>>

Carlee Soeder

2023 has been a particularly trying year. Testing my commitment to my craft, my art nearly every day in ways I never foresaw coming. Read more>>

Rachel Berkowitz

I am so happy being the artist that I am. Creating artwork brings me deep joy. From working alone on paintings in my studio, to creatively collaborating with other artists, there is nothing I enjoy more. Art is what I live for. Read more>>

Annie Decamp

I have worked both as a professional in the tech industry as well as being an artist and full-time business owner. Having experience in the corporate world and business has significantly provided me with a basis to run an art business. Being a successful artist encompasses much more that the making of art. Read more>>

JiLLi

I couldn’t be happier as an artist! I feel fulfilled every day in the present moment, working towards where I’m going. I’m grateful that everything I get to do aligns with creativity, self expression, and meaningful connection in one way or another. Read more>>

Autumn Eve

So, I know this is true for many of us. As creatives we often have a main job that pays the bills while pursuing our heart’s artistic endeavors. For me, personally, I worked in coffee for a very long time (about 7 years!) along with many other jobs. I fully believe that it is worth it to commit to pursuing the creative/artistic path while also having a job that pays the rent. Read more>>

Ashlee Abrams

I do sometimes envy friends and family who have “regular” jobs. The stability and consistency of knowing one’s weekly schedule, one’s pay rate, having benefits, weekends off…..those sound like great circumstances to be in! But then I think of what I’d lose…the ability to work from anywhere allows me so much adventure (I ran my Princess Party business remotely from Europe last summer, and it’s not uncommon for me to take client calls from the beach!), the creative freedom to build different types of entertainment offerings for my clients, and the fulfillment I feel when those offerings are received and appreciated. Read more>>

Gene Park

I’m SO happy as an artist and creative. It’s funny you ask if I ever wonder what it’s like to have a regular job…I’ve had multiple. Every single time I realized how I was so not cut out for the corporate world. Read more>>

Calvin Chin

Oh boy, I wish I could provide a straight solution to creative happiness haha. Overall yes, I am grateful and excited to be working in a solid creative space…but also at a bit of a crossroads right now. Every so often, uncertainty and anxiety creeps into my soul with regard to the next steps in my journey. Read more>>

Kelly Reaves

This is an interesting question to me because it’s something I think about so much, and it’s almost like a riddle to me, like the more I think about it the more confused I get. I do have a “regular job”, and I always have, as most artists do. My biggest challenge has always been finding time to work in the studio in my little spare time. Read more>>

Anthony Volz

I have always been sure of which passion I wanted to pursue in life. With that I feel gratified in my choices as an artist. I would not trade my passion for anything, and will always chase my life of artistic representation. Normal jobs have the advantage of structure and consistency, whereas freelance can lack both. Because of this I do envy those who have a set career path, but I can not give up what I love to do. Read more>>

Carla Cabras

Yes, I am very happy, because it makes me free to experiment with my creativity and my taste. I honestly don’t know if I could do any other job, I think this is my path. Sometimes it happens that I wonder what it would be like to do a more “traditional” job, but I don’t know, I think it wouldn’t make me happy and satisfied. Read more>>

Lenorris Arnold

I’m literally so fulfilled always. Yes some days are hard but I love what I do! I get to create.. I get to show my crazy ideas from my head and put them out for the world to see. I have wonder what being an Uber driver would be like but my mind tends to think of dumb ish always. Read more>>

JL DuRona

It can be very stressful at times, but it’s a better kind of stress than I experienced at my 9-5 jobs. I remind myself of this any time I feel like quitting. It’s kind of like owning a home versus renting: it’s a lot more work, but it’s working toward something important, something special. Read more>>

Vivian Du

I am definitely the happiest I have ever been in my life, career-wise! Being able to do what I do now, which is draw and make money off of it, was something that I had never thought I would do. Like never in my wildest dreams, did I think that I would call being an artist/creative my job. Drawing and making cute stickers, keychains, and merchandise out of my art is really healing my inner child and that is something I will always strive to do. Read more>>

Sali Swalla

While I feel extremely blessed to call myself an artist and be able to work at it as my occupation, I do find myself wondering what it would be like to focus solely on being a mom and wife… two positions that are constantly pulling me away from the studio and creating extra tension in my life as I try to find a balance. This then leads me to to wonder if this would be the same if I held a regular 9-5 job. Would the same assumptions about my time be made if I was in an office rather than my backyard studio?  Read more>>

Sam Bierman

Honestly, this is a tough answer for me! Read more>>

Meegan Lim

I wouldn’t see myself in any other profession in all honesty. Being in a creative field constantly excites me. Whether I’m sharing my own stories and experiences, or learning about others, I’m very grateful to be able to call this my career. However, with all jobs, things are not always 100% “happy”. Read more>>

Jackie Robbins

I knew quite unquestionably that I would be and become an Artist from childhood. I announced this to my family at about or around the age of ten years old. I remember that this was the year that I was gifted my first camera and I was given oil paints and canvas to create with by my parents. Read more>>

Melissa Baker Nguyen

Yes, yes and yes! Today, totally happy as an artist creative, but yesterday, I quit 3 times. It’s one of those really weird and hard places to live in. Most days I am so grateful that I get to do what I love, and what I believe I was called to do in the world. Then you have those others days, I think we all have them, when we entertain the idea of “what if?”. Read more>>