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.

Shelby Natasha

I think I’d say that I am the most happy and fulfilled when I am “making” so, I think yes, I really am happy as a creative. Sometimes it will catapult me into deep existential despair, but I’m not unconvinced I’d find other ways to feel this way even if I wasn’t choosing to be a musician. Read more>>

Sydney Sorenson

Honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything else. Spending time alone in a dance studio is one of the most exciting and healing experiences for me; it’s where I get to explore movement in a way that feels authentic to me. Read more>>

Hillary Branyik

I am happy to be an artist and creative, but every artist will tell you there are many challenges to building a sustainable career in that field. Read more>>

Mantageri Zhang

When I was young, I once sketched a melancholic comic figure in my sketchbook, accompanied by the words: “If only I could draw whenever I wanted.” Read more>>

Charde’ Brown

I am extremely happy and grateful to have artistic ability and have the opportunity share my creations with others. I actually lost my job of four years at the end of the year right before Christmas. Read more>>

Rebekah Ragland

I’m very happy as a creative individual; it’s honestly better than having a regular job. I have the creative ability to select various artists’ music, and curate it into a playlist that flows and sounds like an in studio produced album. Read more>>

Joyous Ferguson

As of today, I am happy being an artist. It’s always been my identity. I’ve always known art was my end game and that I would do what ever it took to make that dream real. God didn’t give me this talent for no reason. Read more>>

Angini Pai

I am genuinely content with my decision to pursue a career in the creative field, particularly in photography. The dynamic nature of photography constantly leads me to new places, which I find exhilarating. Read more>>

Elmer Ferraren

I am absolutely happy as a creative. It’s honestly been one of my dreams growing up and to be able to do what I do now, has been an amazing experience so far. Read more>>

Triniti Simmons

A creative is not something I intentionally try to be, so when I am asked if I am happy as one, I am basically being asked if I am happy with myself. Read more>>

Carly Lind

I think about how I don’t know what I would be doing if it weren’t art, OFTEN. I am lucky enough to have a “corporate” job without it really being corporate and still be creative. Read more>>

Celia Tang

Overall, I am, yes! My greatest joy about being an artist isn’t necessarily creating the artwork. It’s meeting other artists and seeing what goes on in their brain. Read more>>

Kristina Roberts

This is a tough question. I love being a creative spirit but I often wish that I had kept writing as a hobby. I have never had a desire to be a public figure or to be famous so that has been the toughest part for me. Read more>>

Leonie Jonk

I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful life than getting the opportunity to add colour to the world in the way that I do. But what makes me the most grateful is the way I can manage my own schedule and life in a way that suits the me of that day. Read more>>

Sara Drescher

I am very happy working as an artist. I think of myself as a small business owner which helps when I have to make spreadsheets, market for myself, update my website and send out newsletters. Read more>>

Kenya Goree-Bell

I am very happy as a writer and very grateful that I get to do what I love and earn a living from it. Having had a regular job I know how soul crushing it can be to feel like you are another cog in the wheel of a corporation. Read more>>

Jasmine Nesbitt

To be completely honest I am happy as an artist in my current field of portfolio entrepreneurship. I am currently building b2c; business to consumer marketing methods, c2c; Read more>>

Joelle Provost

My greatest happiness comes from knowing I have a choice in how I get to make up my day and there is a great freedom to this. Read more>>

Darren Paltrowitz

For better and for worse, the answer to these two questions change for me on a regular basis. A large part of that has to do with liking to do different things, as opposed to having just one regular responsibility or task. Read more>>

Curtis Ghoul

I actually DO have a regular job! After freelancing and barely keeping my head above water for 5 years, I started a full time job and have been working full time in addition to illustrating and designing for the last year or so. Read more>>

Jamie Groote

I am incredibly happy as an artist and creative…when I’m creating, but I do sometimes wonder what a stable “regular” job would feel like. Being an artist has extreme highs and lows. Read more>>

Aaron Waters

Im very happy as an artist honestly. I’ve had normal jobs before like working in a barbershop and at a laser printing store but Its still hard to see myself in a position where thats all i was doing. Read more>>

Marine Galstyan

I am happy as a full time Makeup Artist. Being a Makeup Artist lets you create art for yourself and no one else. Being your own boss, you will not have to answer to anyone else about what you create – Artists get to enjoy a great deal of freedom. Read more>>

Page Elder

At a young age, I’ve always wanted to be involved in the creative field, regardless of what that calling was. I love to create new things, meet new people, and add some of myself to everything I do and create. Read more>>

Sajal Sarkar

I realize from the core of my heart that it is a blessing to live a life as an artist. I have tried some regular jobs besides being a part-time art instructor in several art centers and connecting with academic institutions in the USA and universities in India as a guest lecturer. Read more>>

Aislinn De’Ath

I love being an actor and writer, acting is my first (and forever) love while writing has been a slow burn that’s trickled in when I’ve noticed roles for women over 30 getting thin on the ground and decided that I needed to change the game myself. Read more>>