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.

Michael Patterson

I think creative describes me best as I am both a musician and artist. As a creative, I am happy because I get to continue working on my skills as an artist and musician. I do wonder what it would be like having a steadier income. This would allow for more stability financially. But, at the same time, I would have to sacrifice not being able to continue to work on certain aspects and skills in the craft in the pursuit of my art. Read more>>

Angie Calzada

Yes, I’m definitely happier as an artist and creative. There’s something special about making something from nothing. But honestly, it’s not always easy, and there are moments when I wonder what it would be like to have a “regular” job. The last time I thought about this was just last week. I had been staring at my screen for hours, trying to figure out a project that wasn’t clicking. The pressure was building, and I found myself longing for the stability and structure that comes with a typical 9-to-5. Read more>>

Stella Wembley

Three years ago, I would have definitely answered “Yes! I am very happy as an artist, and I love what I do, despite the numerous sacrifices it entails. Because I don’t see myself doing anything else with the same passion, and I know I have a talent…a vocation. ” Nowadays, however, I cannot give the same answer. I have been afraid to admit, first of all to myself, and then to my fans, that music hasn’t brought me the same happiness in the recent years as it once did. It’s not that I don’t get the same feeling while I am singing, or that I don’t feel inspired; actually, I am more creative than ever right now, and I have been writing songs for my first full album. But it’s as if the energy I had at the beginning, when I started this journey, about sixteen years ago, has run out. Read more>>

Beth Gustafson

Last time I truly questioned this with seriousness is when I was dealing with a pretty long a depressive period. My physical, but most importantly, my mental health and well-being affect my creativity and creative process massively. For the better part of this past decade I’ve been constantly dealing with the ups and downs of both my chronic physical and mental health conditions, which have greatly impacted my art. Due to chronic fatigue, it’s taken me longer to get projects done, and due to my major depressive disorder, it’s been even harder to find the motivation to even get projects started sometimes. Read more>>

Inessa Frantowski

I think happiness is a moving target. I used to think it was important to pursue my dreams or I’d live with regret. But the truth is…I just have different regrets! Sometimes I wonder about my family and the loves I left behind to chase my dreams. But if I could do it all again, I would do the same thing. Because you only know what you know when you know it, you know? :) Therefore happiness isn’t in what you did or didn’t do, it’s about making the most of this moment, whatever it is. I once heard depression is focus on the past and anxiety is focus on the future and I feel that. Happiness must be in the present. Read more>>

Mark Larwood

Yes, I enjoy my life as an artist. It’s taught me to really take charge of my life. For a long time, I didn’t know what I was put on this earth for in terms of what kind of job I would be working to make a living. I was always that person that was always trying to seek validation even to a point that sometimes it would annoy people and I always felt bad when I would ask for help or felt I had to be given permission to do the things I want to do. I always knew I was talented in terms of acting, singing, playing guitar and I thought about being a musician at one point or being an actor at another point but then I also didn’t want to move to a town that wasn’t near home. Read more>>

Stephanie Franco

As a free lancer, I’ve found a deep sense of fulfillment in the work I do, but like any entrepreneur, there are moments when doubt creeps in. It’s hard to ignore that voice that occasionally asks, “What are you doing? Maybe you should find a ‘real’ job.” In our capitalistic society, it’s easy to get swept up in the relentless pursuit of what’s next—the next gig, the next opportunity, always striving to do more. But then, I remind myself to pause, to breathe, and realize: I’m already living the life I once dreamed of. I envisioned a career where I could own my projects, travel, take vacations, and structure my time on my terms. Freelancing and running my own business has given me that flexibility, but also it comes with its own challenges. The risks, the problem-solving, the constant need for discipline—it’s all part of the journey. Staying grounded in the belief that it will work out is something I constantly have to remind myself of. Read more>>

Allie Strickland

I’ve always loved creating. I’ve been drawn to crafts and making things since I was a kid. I always dreamed I’d be a full-time artist. I wanted to make big, grand paintings for galleries or own a little shop that sold my prints. Knowing now that people have my art in their homes – and are excited about it – feels surreal. It’s hard, though. I wasn’t quite prepared for the anxiety and mental effort that goes into being a new mom and artist/business owner. There is never enough time to create all the things I want to create. I’m home full time with my son so getting time to myself in my studio is tricky. I work in spurts, mostly, which lends to feeling like I am never not working.  Read more>>

Valerie Skinner

I think I am happy as an artist. I can’t imagine doing anything else for my career which I’m really thankful for. But of course it’s scary when I think about my future. I’d like to be able to provide and give back to my family. There’s no straight and narrow career path in this field it feels like so I’m just trying to figure it out as I go. It just gets overwhelming sometimes. I’ve learned to just be comfortable with the unknown especially being a senior in undergrad. I have no idea what could happen in the next year (hopefully grad school) but I’m okay with that. I feel like I just have to be okay with that so I don’t lose my mind. I don’t think that just revolves around being an artist though. I’m in a weird stage of my life where I’m an adult but not really. Just making it up as I go. Read more>>

Anthony Sanchez

You always ask yourself this question, am I really happy doing this? Should I just pull my bootstraps up, put on a collared shirt and a belt? Take life a little more serious? I had this thought very recently, heading towards 25, I ask myself if this is all worth it. Should I call it quits and get a stable job before its too late? I have a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice with extensive experience in the social work field, and now business administration. Why am I pursuing this? Why am I not just doing that? Read more>>

Jonathan Borthwick

Ever since I started taking drawing seriously about 8 years ago I never really envisioned that I would be able to make a full time living from my work. It wasnt because I thought the work wasnt good enough to sell or my style/talent wasnt applicable in a commercial sense, it was mainly due to the late entrance I made into drawing at 26/27. Since I moved to the United States from the UK in 2009 I have been working as a Hydrographic Surveyor full time. It has been a great career thus far and has given me opportunities to travel and make a pretty decent living. Read more>>

Paul Reynolds

Well to tell you the truth, I’m not sure if I am aware of what a “creative’ – is. Personally I feel we are all “creatives” and we are all “artists” (Please note the piece I sent titled “You are an Artist” it pretty much explains that last statement). I had a 9-5 gig for over half my life- but I also maintained my art expressions as well. In fact I volunteered for a graveyard shift in the ‘regular’ job – so when things got slow I could continue drawing. (I was the only one on the shift.- Sssh don’t tell…..:)) And looking back, the ‘day’ job (a customer service/complaint department position) fed me invaluableideas about the human condition and it paid the bills and kept me in paper and pens. Read more>>

Terra Keck

My initial reaction to this question is to tell you that questions of happiness and longing can be deceptive. At various points in my life, I’ve had what you’d call a “regular job.” I’ve been a receptionist in Indiana, a barista in Oregon, an educator in Hawaii, and a production manager at a robotics studio in Brooklyn. Each of these roles brought moments of real fulfillment. It would be dishonest to discount them. I excelled in each of these positions and I loved my coworkers—one of whom was even in my wedding. In 2023, while working at the robotics company, I was called into the owner’s office to receive a substantial raise, one of the few awarded that year. When I left for the day, I called my dad in tears, and I told him I was fraud. Read more>>

Ziggie Knucklez

I’m happy as an artist. The process of creating can be therapeutic. Especially music, sometimes you get lost in whatever you’re making and it’s like the rest of the world kinda disappears for a brief moment. It’s just you and the medium. I do work a normal job ,I work two, 6-7days per week. So I never wonder what it’s like to have a normal job but I do wonder what’s it’s like to just create full time. Where I don’t have to call out weeks in advance to do shows or try and rush through deadlines to make time. I enjoy my current work but I’d give the world to be in creative role 24/7.  Read more>>

Emma Gimeno

I think a big reason why being an artist is difficult is because you turn your passion into your career, which obviously is not easy because everyone would do it otherwise! This is something I think about all the time. As an artist, your career might go really well for a couple of months but then the rest of the year could be bad. We might make money for one project and then have to wait months and months for another project to make us money. Because of this we can find ourselves doing creative projects that we don’t want to do, which is super draining. There’s only so much creativity you can pull out of your pocket when you aren’t inspired. Our work depends on our inspiration a lot of the time. That being said, sometimes you have to learn how to work when there’s no inspiration. Despite all of this and the constant existential crisis I may have as an artist, I think it’s worth it because I would still choose to be doing this over any other job. I feel lucky to love something so much that I’m willing to sacrifice financial stability for a while in order to follow my passion. Read more>>

Dian Shuai

I’m genuinely happy as a musical artist and film composer. This profession deeply resonates with my passion for storytelling through music and feels like a natural extension of my upbringing. I grew up in a household of artists—both my parents are sculptors whose work was inherently creative and flexible. Their lifestyle shaped my understanding of work and instilled in me an appreciation for the freedom and creativity that come with a career in the arts. As a composer, I’ve embraced a similar way of life. I love the process of crafting music to tell stories—it’s like breathing life into a project and giving it its soul. Each composition is a unique journey, and the sense of fulfillment I gain from creating something meaningful fuels my passion and drives me forward. Read more>>

Jessica Mahan

This is one of those questions that keeps me up at night. After seven years as a public school art teacher, I decided to take the leap into being a full-time artist. That was around eight years ago. The decision wasn’t easy. I knew I was leaving behind certainty, consistency, benefits, and a pension. But I couldn’t shake the desire to see if I could truly make it on my own. I craved the freedom to wake up each morning and decide how to spend my day, to seek creative opportunities, take risks, and collaborate on projects that ignited my passion. Read more>>

Sierra Gomez

occasionally some things that can make art tough. It can be hard staying motivated enough to create artwork. It can also be tough to believe in yourself as creator to pursue a career in the field. However, it is the challenges endured that make you a better artist and give you the strength to persevere. Read more>>

Naseer Haider Siddiqui

Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by how cartoon animations come to life. Back then, YouTube didn’t exist, so I began teaching myself animation using a very basic computer. This curiosity and passion shaped my journey, and today, I’m fortunate to work in the field I’ve always dreamed of. For me, there’s immense happiness in pursuing what I love while also making it commercially successful. When your passion aligns with your profession, it opens doors to remarkable opportunities and can take you to the peak of your potential. Read more>>

Ze Feng

Being creative is deeply fulfilling, but sometimes I wonder about the simplicity of a regular job. Last time I felt this was during a chaotic project—deadlines looming, feedback piling up, and nothing going as planned. For a moment, the idea of a structured 9-to-5 felt appealing. But then I remembered: I thrive in the challenge, the freedom, and the ability to create something meaningful. That moment of doubt reminded me why I chose this path—it’s not just work; it’s who I am. Read more>>

Lori Jones

I love being an artist. I have a really unique situation because my husband and I are cattle ranchers. While it’s a “job”, it’s really more of a lifestyle than a living. I don’t clock in, but I also don’t ever really clock out. My artwork has to fit in around the care of our animals and while that sounds like a challenge, it’s really the perfect scenario. My artwork is inspired by the immediate world around me on a daily basis. I don’t have to go to art museums or on day trips or even online to find the inspiration and reference material for my work, I’m literally immersed in it every day. I pack a camera everywhere on the ranch while we are working and then bring those reference photos and ideas back to the studio. There are tons of western artists out there that are passionate about the cowboy lifestyle but don’t really know and understand what they’re portraying. I grew up doing this and continue to do it everyday and I think this lends an authenticity to my work that cannot be forged. Read more>>

Jessie Burns

Am I happier as an artist or creative? It’s the 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 for me. I went from working 9-5 jobs and wishing I could adequately express myself, to having a substantial lil’ bit of income and revenue coming in, or at least enough to pay a bill or two a month. I’ve often wondered whether or not it would be easier to have a conventional job, but the fact of the matter is — music and creativity have, and continue to provide for me in moments when the conventional infrastructure 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦. I’ve held down job after job after cookie-cutter routine job, all to have the companies fail and fall under piss-poor management, lack of accountability, and unchecked pride + ego. The one constant? The art. Read more>>

Cierra Lebed

I love being a creative makeup artist, before I started working in the beauty industry I did have a regular job in the food business for a couple of years. After attending a couple of makeup schools and put my foot through the door in the makeup industry finally, I didn’t want to go back to a regular job. I’m so much happier where I am now Read more>>

Robert Smith

I sometimes sit late at night drawing flash, or custom designs for clients, at the kitchen table, or my bedroom, brainstorming potential ideas for the future. Ways to market myself to become more relevant. But, there’s always the thought in my head during those hours that it might in fact be easier to have a full time “regular job”. Stable paychecks, normal hours, overall stability instead of late nights under pressure to constantly produce with a deadline. Instead of a sort of uncertain income based on how well I can apply a tattoo. But honestly, to tell you the truth the pure joy, and fulfillment of pursuing my passions always outweighs the comforts of having a “9-5”. Read more>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maiya Lonesome

I think being a creative has been a part of me since I was a kid. I can recall always approaching school work, learning, problem solving from the perspective of pictures. When I was learning math most specifically algebra or geometry I would always visualize problemm solving from the perspective of the numbers moving around the equation. Or visually approach a word problem by imagining from a birds eye view “two trains leaving stations heading the same direction” and visually mapping out when they would cross paths. I have always considered myself a visual learner. When it came to creating whether it is on a plate as a pastry chef or on a canvas an artist, I always approach my work from a visual acumen. The think that I love the most about being an artist is the freedom to decide when “a piece is done”. Read more>>