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.

Loreyale Jazmin

I love being a creative! I don’t think there is a such thing as a “regular job” per se but a lot of people have mentioned to me more conventional careers that I might excel in. Read more>>

Jerry Kirk

I am generally happy to be an artist. There are many frustrations, particularly those that involve making money off of my art and dealing with rejections, but I feel a certain amount of spiritual contentment in knowing that I have talents that are somewhat special and that allow me to express my innermost thoughts and feelings in ways that others can relate. Read more>>

Eleanor Yang

I have a deep passion for beauty, and as a designer, I thrive on creativity and innovation. Staying current with trends and aesthetic preferences is essential in my work, so I make it a point to immerse myself in art and culture during my free time. Read more>>

Marco Bongiorno

I’m thankful that I have a regular job that is creative adjacent and that I have the time to focus on the creative endeavors as side projects. Read more>>

Scotty Banx

I’m actually at a point in life now where I wonder what life would be like if I never wanted to do anything creatively and just had the goal of going to college, getting a good job and starting a family. Read more>>

Cristina Benz

I have a regular job in education but I wonder often what it would be like to have a job that focused on my creative work. It was suggested to me early on that I should double major so that in addition to my art major I had something to fall back on to. Read more>>

Ariel Corpuz

Working as a freelance artist can sometimes be incredibly stressful, exhausting, and terrifying. That being said, I know there’s no other job I’d rather have. Read more>>

Curtis Griffin

I am extremely happy as a creative, and a bit of a unique case. I’ve always been drawn to both painting and coding since an early age — two very different forms of creativity that utilize the two hemispheres of the brain. Read more>>

Julia Loretta Romero

It takes an immense amount of faith in self, faith in the process and support from loved ones to continue onward sometimes, but for me a creative path is the only one. Read more>>

Matthew Amor

Lately, I’ve been pondering this question quite a bit. For the past year, I worked as a Background Art Director, and I truly enjoyed that role. However, the animation industry has experienced a decline in new projects overall. Read more>>

Sarah Owens

As a freelance creative, there is pressure to continually produce new and exciting work but like any relationship, it is important to recognize there will be cycles of growth combined with periods of rest. Read more>>

Taylor Swilley

I don’t think I could live another lifestyle. I’ve had jobs in food service, retail, etc. It just sucks out your soul. I would LOVE a 401K, and dang, health insurance, you know, stuff like that. Read more>>

Occxi

I’m very happy as a creative. I’ve honestly never saw me working a regular job as a career. I only do it to fund my music career and keep myself fed and disciplined. Read more>>

Po Yan Leung

Yes, being an artist brings me incredible joy and fulfillment—it’s been a part of my life since childhood, a natural extension of who I am. Bringing my imagination to life through illustrations and sharing them with the world is deeply satisfying. Read more>>

Ciara Barsotti

I’m an artist in business who is also a full-time employee for another company. It can be frustrating to juggle demands of the day job while building a business, and sometimes I wish I could devote all my time my own projects, but honestly, having a day job allows me to approach my art in a much more authentic way. Read more>>

Jie Mi

I am very eager to pursue Arabic calligraphy as a career path. Although I am currently designing for several clients, at present, my portfolio is not yet substantial enough to support it as a full-time profession. Read more>>

Casey Craig

Yes, absolutely! While there are challenges to being self-employed that involve many tasks other than creating art, it is tremendously satisfying. Read more>>

Currado Malaspina

If it’s happiness you’re after, it’s best to pursue something else. Being an artist is like looking for your most exposed vulnerability and exposing it some more. You’re never happy, nor are you ever satisfied. Read more>>

Angelina Salgado

I’m currently in a unique position, in which I’m returning to working a normal job in order to have the means to continue exhibiting my artwork professionally. Read more>>

Jean Ann Garrish

I feel truly fortunate to be an artist. Though I always feel slightly cringy when I use that word to describe myself. I think that the word artist carries a pretension with it that I don’t resonant with. Read more>>

J.Street

I would like to say I am happy as an artist/producer. It has it’s ups and downs though if I’m going to be completely honest. On one hand you feel blessed to be in the music industry and on the other hand sometimes you’ll feel like you have been running in the same place with no progress. Read more>>

Daniel-Andres Jimenez

I’ll be honest…being an artist can have it’s enriching moments. But depending on what you choose to focus on, burn out can quickly engulf you and make you lose the desire to create anything else. Read more>>

Shakia Singleton

I am extremely happy in being a full-time creative and wouldn’t have it anyway. With being a creative, I’m serving a purpose and doing what I love. Read more>>

Josh Hailey

I think all creatives ponder what the other half of their lives would be if they had a regular job. And vice versa. There are times that I doubt myself and Think about how my life would be if I had a 9 to 5 then that’s just a little bouts of depression and then I realize how beautiful my life is and what I’ve made for myself with being my own boss and doing the yard and photography I love. Read more>>

Naichen Pan

I was sitting in a sushi restaurant, crying without any intention of muffling it, while my bestie Liv was sitting on the other end of the dining table, watching, without any regret, as if she was watching a bad reality show. Read more>>