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.

Lane Jensen

Yes and no, each day is vastly different from the one before. There are times where I feel whole, on-track with my goals, and living my purpose. Then there are days where I feel lost, invisible, and constantly ask myself if what I’m doing is really worth it to me at the end of the day. It takes a lot of energy, willpower, and a bit of insanity to pursue a career in art with all the obstacles that face modern creatives. Setbacks happen more often than triumphs, but that’s what makes the triumphs so sweet. Read more>>

Gillian McGhee

I’m definitely on a journey of finding more peace in my creative pursuits and releasing myself from certain expectations of what the art should do and how I measure my music’s success. Something that I’ve learned about myself over the last few years is that I have a tendency to put other people’s needs before my own, even when it comes to creativity. Read more>>

Savraj Banga

Being an Artist is not an easy job, for sure. It’s not a straight path from A to B, but it’s a roller coaster ride from A to Z. There’s a different feeling being an artist, being able to explore your thoughts, your vision through filmmaking which is form of art that is just 100 years old. Read more>>

Christine Grillo

I’ve had regular jobs for most of my adult life, and I’ve always searched for time and space to do creative work. Sometimes I’m more successful than other times, but the struggle is real. Regular jobs are great in that they can provide a steady paycheck and health insurance, but there are days when they don’t leave much time or energy for creative pursuits. Read more>>

Sarah Underwood

I’m wonderstruck at the fact that I get to write songs for a living. Little Sarah didn’t even know this was on option when she was growing up, and now here we are. So to say I’m happy is such an understatement; I would quickly follow that up with proud, honored, grateful, and humbled. Of course there are difficulties with this path, and I do often wonder what my life could be like if I had gotten a different degree and competed for a top job in a different industry with a much higher paycheck. It’s never been a question for me that I could do that, and do it well and be successful. Read more>>

Aesther Chang

Happiness is a subjective term that can be defined in various ways. By definition, there are two views on happiness. The first is the hedonic view, which focuses on pleasure- regardless of its source– as the goal of life. Eudaimonic well-being, in contrast, is pleasure accompanied by psychological growth and development. The positive effects of psychological maturity are characterized by greater awareness and psychological freedom; Read more>>

David Geister

I am quite happy working as a freelance artist. At this point in my life – 59 years old – I feel like the luckiest person in the world. I get to draw, paint and sculpt on a fairly regular basis. The variety of clients, projects, and media keep engaged and interested in creative problem solving, without a hint of mind-numbing repetition. Read more>>

Angelyse Estevez

Yes, I love being an artist, from as young as I can remember this is what I always wanted to do. That goes without saying I definitely do think about what life would be like if I choose something more conventional. What it would be like if everything was guaranteed, go to school here, intern there, then get a job in whatever field it is. Art isn’t as reliable and steady but the risk is worth it all. Read more>>

Ally Chapman

Anyone that knows me knows that I’m happiest when I’m on tour. I’m very purpose driven and even though the days are long, they are incredibly worth it. I love getting to my hotel room or bunk and reflecting back on what all was accomplished in the last 24 hours. Even though you are exhausted, it’s difficult to sleep from all the adrenaline from the show and the excitement you feel to do it all over again the next day. Read more>>

Britt Spencer

Generally, yes, I’m happy to be an artist, but sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I had chosen to attend university and study business or something similar. I truly love the process of creating art, and I consider myself fortunate to have pursued art education, enabling me to sit down at a drafting table and produce something that fills me with pride and a certain sense of accomplishment. I mean, let’s be honest, it’s one of the most fulfilling careers one can have! I am grateful to make a living through art. Read more>>

Theodore Morris III

I am very happy that I am a creative. I am able to create whatever I want and I can express my feelings and thoughts through the work I make. I use my creative expertise and talents to create stories and projects that reflect my feelings on particular subjects, exaggerated aspects of myself, and amplified moments of my life. I like to experiment and try new ways to tell stories whether that involves focusing on unconventional subjects or just making things that I have not made before. Read more>>

Paige Burgess

I have never been as happy as I am now that I work as a full time Artist! I have had other jobs but deep down I always knew I wanted my passion for Art to be my career. In my previous job, I worked in a primary school as a learning support assistant for 4 years and I absolutely loved watching the children grow, learn new things and develop skills that directed them towards their interest in certain subjects. Read more>>

Savannah Kizachatéra

I think the definition of happiness is subject to change as we evolve over our lifetime. I think for most before the age of 30, the concept of time or losing it is very minimal and we prioritize experimenting and gaining experience over sustainable. long-term fulfillment. In college, I felt like a jack of all trades and wasn’t sure how to take my passion and actually profit/make a successful business out of it. Read more>>

Elias Ramos

I think this is the most important question here because it really is the question that drives my passion. I have goals and personal missions that I aim to achieve through my creative path, so I would like to say that I have not “made it” as an creative professional, yet. I am very devoted to my creative practice and it is the core of my being, but my art is not the primary source of income for me (quite yet). However, I do consider myself a happy, successful artist in the rewards I have reaped through my discipline and consistency. Read more>>

Alejandra Iannone

This is a complex question. Being an artist can be exhausting, disappointing, and lonely. Sometimes, I feel unmoored. Sometimes, I am staring at a project budget, terrified. Those parts stink, but they do pass. Big picture, I am grateful to have so many expressive outlets in my life. Many of my happiest memories and deepest friendships came out of a rehearsal studio or creative process. Read more>>

Christina C. Baucom

I do have a “regular” job as an attorney and I am grateful to work in a field of law that is fulfilling for me as are my creative endeavors. My work in intellectual property law is related to my creative endeavors in some ways so I am happy that I have that knowledge and can use that to my advantage in creation. I am happy as a creative but I am always pushing myself to learn and create more so I am never really settled in what I am doing as a creative. Read more>>

Angi Cooper

Happiness is such a personal creature. In this country, we’re told to follow our passions and do what makes us happy, but sometimes doing the thing that makes us happy doesn’t always make us a lot of money or enough money to live on. For me, that’s where the happiness balloon deflates a bit. But honestly, I cannot imagine a life without creativity. It seems necessary, a natural part of my existence. Read more>>

L.J.P

Since I am a part time musician/songwriter and work part time as a cook I no longer wonder if the grass is greener. Both jobs, (being a independent solo artist is non stop work) give me creative freedom, well music gives me 100% of freedom, but both are creative outlets which is good for my head. Cooking obviously is way more stressful and harder on the body and these days everyone with a phone is a food critic, which has its downside. Read more>>

Abigail Francis

I actually was working as a Bank Teller before I switched to making macramé and fiber art full-time. I started making macramé as a hobby while I was working for the bank, and I sold a few plant hangers to some coworkers and friends. I started to branch out more with my craft and sell at a local Artists Market, and was encouraged to continue to pursue my skills in this artwork. While I was growing in my craft and learning how to run a business, I started to become really unhappy at my bank job. Read more>>

Rahul Rai

It’s finally dawned on me that the creative arts is not a profession. It’s a lifestyle choice. No one seems to be above the lifestyle. The only thing that differentiates us is perhaps the dollars in our bank accounts, but no one is above the lifestyle. Everyone on the totem pole must continually fight for their ideas, deal with rejection, and ultimately face the unknown that is, “Will anyone watch this? Will they like it? Is this it for me? Am I done?” Read more>>

Charla Pettingill

Absolutely. There’s no greater joy than making art. It’s soothing, mentally engaging, and transformative. The next best aspect of being a creative is seeing others enjoy your work. Whether they’re displaying a print they purchased from you on the walls of their home or sewing new pajamas using a fabric you designed, it’s a delight to see how others interpret and engage with your creative work. Read more>>

Jessica Bentley

I’m very happy as a creative entrepreneur, cosmologist and comedian. I love the fact that I can create different hair styles and hair clip piece units for my clients. The joy and smiles on their faces when I’m done with their hair is priceless. And also I love being a comedian as well. To give people laughter through my wardrobe or jokes gives me excitement that I’m helping someone bring joy to their lives. Read more>>

Allie Cheatum

I can’t even conceive of having a regular job – as a flighty head-in-the-clouds type person, tying me down to one routine thing is the best possible way to clip my wings. I couldn’t imagine going back to having a set schedule or deadlines, even if the work felt meaningful to me. I let my art take me where it wants to go and I have so much fun along the journey! Read more>>

Robert Nehemiah

I found my happiness as an artist. Coming from a regular “day job” has changed my perspective entirely. The struggle of the idea of having to rely on myself in the creative realm and having no “safety net” if I chose that route was always something that held me back from making the change. Once I did decide to make the change to a full time artist though, I came to the realization that the “safety net” was only an illusion. Any job you have can fire you at any given moment. The difference was that one of these environments motivated me entirely. Read more>>

Wendy Helmes

Actually, only in the last couple of years I really discovered the value of art in my life, and the happiness it gives me. When I was a kid and teenager, I remember myself doing creative stuff, most of the time drawing graffiti words and drawing faces. When I started high school I could choose between expression class or sport class, which both interested me. When I had to choose a study, my interests where as well in the direction of creativity or something in sport, but always the sport has won and I never made much time for creativity in my life. Read more>>

 Tessie Herrasti

Most of the time, I have a positive and optimistic approach to the profession of being an actor. I do not wish I had a regular job, I wish there were more places where actors and artists in general could explore their crafts and fully develop their abilities in a place that paid them from 9 to 5 to do so, this is one of my dreams. Read more>>

Eric Rottcher

I don’t really know how to answer this one, but I would have to say yes, I believe I am for the most part. Granted, I’m not happy all the time, but who really is? I think life is a steady flow of mundanity and disappointment, only punctuated with moments of happiness; it makes me appreciate those moments even more. Read more>>

Aaron David Roberts

As I’ve grown older and gained over a decade of experience as a creative, my understanding of “happiness” and what it means to be happy has evolved throughout my artistic journey. In the early years of my career, I mistakenly associated happiness as an artist solely with tangible measures of success. Factors such as a higher day rate, acquiring new clients, or receiving awards for my projects became the yardstick by which I gauged my happiness. Read more>>

Robert Ortiz

I like wearing the different hats of designer, maker, boss, meeting with clients. 38 years later, it’s still a thrill whenever someone orders a piece that I’ve designed. I’m humbled by their “act of faith” in my work. I’ve had “regular jobs” as a teacher, working construction, working with juvenile offenders etc. Sometimes the pay was better but the rewards, satisfaction, pride of ownership were never as good or meaningful. Read more>>

Antonio Mosby

Being an entertainer/creative is the best job in the world for me. Not only does it allow me to be expressive but it saved and saves my life daily. The art forms I dabble in allows me a path to get my emotions, stress, and all out in a positive way. Even when I’m in a rut the moment I step on stage or on set a sense of relaxation and calm comes over me. I’ve worked a regular job and it’s not for me. it isn’t me walking and living in my purpose. Read more>>

 904 Matcha

I am definitely happy as an artist. Sometimes there are roadblocks that last for a few months but that’s part of the process. You can’t really expect a creative to constantly pump out projects especially if you’re wanting quality music. I do work a regular job on the side as a Social media manager/ Graphic Designer/ Marketing and it is so mentally draining that I can’t even be creative for my own content anymore. It has definitely taken a toll on my mental health especially because the work environment is extremely toxic. Read more>>

Zaza Asteria

I am happy and forever grateful to be living the life of music production and artistry. I never saw myself having a regular job or following any type of schedule that isn’t created by me personally. Read more>>

Shanequa Mitchell

Being a creative person, let alone entrepreneur definitely has its ups and downs. I love creating because I can jump from project to project as I get bored or when a certain hustle slows down during different seasons. I often think about what if I pursued being a teacher, scientist, or animal rescuer instead. But I don’t like to limit myself. I feel as though I can still dabble in those areas at some point in my life thanks to my creativity and interests. Read more>>

Sarah Stribbling

I’m really happy as an artist and feel very lucky to be able to do what I do but I do wonder what it would be like to have another job. My dream when I was younger was to work-with animals so I do have that itch to pursue something with that. My aim for the future is to try and combine my creative job with working with wildlife in the field. Read more>>

Allison Kantor

the thing is, I can’t help being creative,,, it really isn’t a choice,, it is an addiction. I frequently refer to a commission as “supporting my habit” oh, and , BTW I do have a “regular job” that I also love. I am an RN working currently part time as an instructor at a med-tech school. I have always pursued both career paths concurrently after obtaining degrees in both,,,(right brain and left brain working in synchrony.) “Popcorn brain,as I like to call it can keep me up at night and occurs everyday. Read more>>