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.

Tuesday Thomas

I have never wondered what it would be like to have another job. I have had “other Jobs” and they all sucked. When I started this I knew there was no plan B. It was this. I believe if you keep a plan B in mind you will not give plan A your complete and undivided attention, therefore sabotaging your goals. Read more>>

Sherry and Darryl Wade

Darryl is the true creative in our twosome — he’s the one who writes the scripts and holds the vision for what he wants the shows to be — and he suffers the ups and downs that most creatives suffer. He wonders often whether he’d be happier in a steady office or retail job with regular hours. (I think the answer is no, although being forced to interact with others early in the day would have some advantages for sure.) I worked “regular jobs” for 20 years and feel seriously lucky to have had this “unregular” gig for the past 12. I LOVE it. Read more>>

Ja’ torre

being a creative doesnt take away my humanity, it makes me feel more human. So sometimes I’m happy as a creative, sometimes I feel like I’m not enough, too old, too to myself, too young, excited, exhausted, afraid, in love, heartbroken. You know from being a step too slow or not accomplishing what I wanted to the way I wanted to. Read more>>

Ben Silberstein

I do a lot of soul-searching about these questions. I will give a short answer and a long answer. Short answer: no and no. But, in the longer versions, both of these answers require context and both have caveats. Read more>>

Donna Bates

I told my 104-year-old Mother who is currently in Hospice that “painting makes me happy” during the COVID lock-down of 2020. She never really understood it before. I have always been a creative and was obsessed with drawing as soon as I could pick up a pencil. Like many creatives I wanted to do it all. I loved to Dance. In High School I sewed a lot of my own clothes. Read more>>

Hiromi Minemura

Of course, I’m happy as an artist. I used to work at a travel agency in Japan as a tour coordinator, so I know what it would be like. Both jobs make me busy but in different ways. Working on clay is much more fun for sure. Read more>>

Michael Osborne

I’m really happy and grateful to be an artist/creative. As someone who likes to work in many different mediums, I can say that I’m very fulfilled. I’ve had a few attempts at what some would call a regular job, but things never really worked out for me in that sphere. And I’m glad. I think, ultimately, you have to ride the waves and let them take you where you need to go. Whenever I let go of the idea of some mythic “stability” I find that new art opportunities shine through. Read more>>

Chris Fossek

The grass is always greener ain’t it?! “Happy” is a complex word. Satisfaction comes and goes but ambition needs fuel too. I am always grateful for the many surprises this work brings me and I love sharing my music with fellow performers on stage. That is like sharing an incredible meal with family and friends. The moment, the “Now” is all that there is and that makes me very happy :-) Read more>>

Porshia J.

Yes. I actually caught myself the there day reflecting on this month in awe that I get to sing for a living. It feels so regular to me that I can sometimes take it for granted. I always wonder what it would be like to work a 9 to 5 again, I think it will always be that, just a thought. I love what I get to do and how I get to express myself within multiple avenues of my creativity. I know this isn’t a reality for most artist to be full time, I’m grateful. Read more>>

Majesty Reyes

This is a question i think of often but when i boil it down, the simple answer is YES i am happy as an artist and a creative. Its interesting because when i first got into art school i never thought of the logistics of my career and how i would make a living or impact from my work. I even went as far as telling myself that i would never become a business owner because it seemed too draining. Read more>>

Pegatina Criolla

More than happy I am fortunate to be able to make a living from my art. It has not been an easy task during these 15 years, but with perseverance and discipline I have managed to find the driving force of my existence. Read more>>

James Abrams

I am deeply in love with being an artist. It’s challenging, of course, but it’s important to remind myself that despite needing money to survive, it doesn’t equate to being fulfilled. Candidly, the hardest part of choosing a life as an artist is being able to support yourself, but if I had a regular job that had a more lucrative salary, I would simply desire to turn around and invest in my projects and friends’ projects. Read more>>

Georgia Concilus

Being a creative is still a “regular job” in many ways. To be successful you have to treat yourself as a business It’s a privilege and blessing to also be able to include the artistic side of yourself into something that can also be a career. Read more>>

Sascha Groschang

I occasionally wonder what it’s like to have a regular job… I’ve never really had one, I was a barista in high school, but then I started playing and teaching the cello and I’ve never really looked back. Sometimes, when things get wild and stressful, or I feel like I’ve hit a creative wall or a professional speedbump, I threaten to reel it all in and work in a craft store or as a night stocker person… But in the end, I’d be bored. Read more>>

Kyle Colton

I’m extremely happy living as an artist. Read more>>

Debra Snyder

Deb the “Working Working Actor” Read more>>

Sara Galiana Sola

Actually, I love having a creative job that is out of the ordinary. I like to create music every day and face new projects and challenges that help me grow in my artistic career. I feel very satisfied giving my music to others and it is the most rewarding job to me. Although to be honest, I often wonder what having a more normal job would be like , working for a company and not having to deal with all the problems of being self-employed. Read more>>

Mimi Doyo

I can confidently say that I am genuinely happy as an artist and creative individual. Throughout my journey, I have indeed pondered the idea of having a regular job, but I’ve come to realize that my passion for the arts is what truly fulfills me, and I don’t see myself committing to a traditional job outside of the arts community in the long term. Read more>>

Ethan Ziemba

I’ve been very happy as a creative, though it is not easy whatsoever. I think with a regular job you’re given particular assurances, and that can add a lot of stability and safety in your career. I feel though that I would find myself to be far less happy if I followed a path that didn’t allow me to work in the field that I feel most passionate about. I’m lucky in that way for the opportunities I’ve been given that have allowed me to work within a field that I love so much. Read more>>

Daniela Barbani

I am someone who tries to live her life without regrets. I believe that I’m right where I should be, and all of the decisions I have made have led me to this very point in my life and in my career. That being said, I also believe that happiness is fluid, especially when it comes to being creative. Many of us artists do what we do because we can’t imagine a life without making art. It’s a part of our being. Read more>>

Oshri Cohen

Interesting question! I am very happy both as an artist and as a creative. I am very pleased and happy with how my life looks today and I am proud of the achievements I have reached so far before the age of 27. My whole life I have been a musician, I started playing piano when I was 6 years old, writing songs, singing, producing music. Read more>>

David Oku

I am content with my current status as an artist; I have an agent and a consistent flow of work, so I have no reason to complain. The only times I miss having a traditional job are when I long for the stability of fixed working hours. While being self-employed offers tremendous freedom, it can also tempt you to push your limits and overwork at any time of the day. Read more>>

Daniel Palladino

I am extremely grateful to be able to wake up every day and express my identity with little to no restrictions through dance. However, when your craft is heavily determined by your physical capabilities it can be extremely daunting and draining at times. I am constantly in negotiation with myself. Having to understand there will always be room for growth and not letting that turn into self deprecating talk; “You are not good enough.” Read more>>

Qingan Zhang

I guess in my opinion, being a designer is like to have a cheat sheet to this question. I am really grateful that both my disciplines as a theatre maker and interior designer can come across. Practically speaking, a regular job seems to be a more sustainable way of living; a career path that your parents would be satisfied with. Read more>>

Matvei Lisitsa

Yes, I’m absolutely happy to have a creative profession. I really enjoy working in design and art, creating something new is always so exhilarating. I have had experience with “regular” jobs related to sales and promoting various brands. Personally, for me, a creative profession is definitely what brings me joy. Read more>>

Michelle Baker

At the age of eighteen, I was hired by a chain of regional discount stores to be a sign-maker and muralist. The job was fun, creative and even paid pretty well for those days and it provided me some income through my four years of college. It was 1989 when I took that job. I have never had a job or source of income since then that was not under the umbrella of creative, visual arts and I can’t imagine a better blessing than that for me! Read more>>

Alex Cap

I am grateful for the amount of flexibility I am afforded from working as a composer. Most of my work can be done from home, which saves on commuting time. As long as I can deliver quality music on time, I can structure my day how I want. I do also teach private piano lessons part time, and for this I need to commute, but I generally don’t need to do this until the afternoons, so I can use the hours of the morning when I am freshest to do any composing-related work. Read more>>

Lor Complex

The funny thing is, I do still have a regular job. lol, like, bills- long story short. but besides that, I absolutely love being Art and I love being able to create at any given moment. I work from home, currently, so it allows me to continue to create even though I’m technically on the clock. I wouldn’t trade my talents for the worlddd, I promise. Read more>>

Carolina Cortella

I’m confident that being a creator is what I want to be. I have tried to deny my creativity and it only made me feel miserable and frustrated with myself. I need to create, it gives my life a purpose, everything makes sense when I’m making things. Creativity is like tapping into the universe and flowing into the energy of life, where I can experiment and try new things. Read more>>

Jarren Mebane

Being a creative is the most happy and fulfilling thing I could do with my life. I currently do have to keep outside income working in corporate America which is my “regular job” and there has never been a day that compares to the feeling I get when I am creating art. The impact that I can create through storytelling and creating is unimaginable. Art speaks to soul and makes people feel heard and understood, I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Read more>>

Sumrr X

Yes I’m completely happy as an artist, I cannot see it any other way. I remember what it was like to have a regular job, clocking in day and night. I worked 1st, 2nd and 3rd shifts from Factories to office jobs. Read more>>

Billye Sands

I am eternally grateful to be an artist/creative! As a kid, I thought everyone could be creative! As an adult, I realize that this is not always the case, and not everyone has the opportunity. Read more>>