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.

Eve Maret

I am so grateful that I’ve chosen the path of being creative. There have been times when I’ve questioned whether I should take on a “regular” job, especially when I’ve faced a certain degree of financial instability, however, I know from experience that I cannot be happy or fulfilled if I’m not pouring myself into my creative practices. My soul needs the freedom to create when I feel inspired. Although pursuing my creativity is far less certain than having a regular job, it is most definitely worth the freedom I experience as an artist. My soul is content even though there is far less stability. I wouldn’t want it to be any different. It takes a lot of conviction, delusion, and faith to pursue a path that is not laid out in front of me. I trust that things are unfolding for me in perfect timing, and that if I continue to pursue my dreams and believe in myself, that it will all come together as it’s meant to. Read more>>

Ping Wang

It took me many years to fully decide that I wanted to be an artist. Even though I come from an art family and had a strong foundation, I didn’t take a direct path. After earning my BFA in Illustration from SVA, I struggled to survive in the editorial world. The hustle was constant. I moved between illustration gigs and teaching jobs, trying to make ends meet while still holding onto some piece of creativity. Read more>>

Funmilayo Chesney

Absolutely, I feel more fulfilled and aligned as an artist and creative — it’s where my spirit breathes. But I’d be lying if I said I never thought about what it might feel like to just clock in, do a job, and clock out. The last time that thought crossed my mind was on a long night after rehearsals, my body sore, managing production calls for my album I Believe in Myself, sorting costumes, meal prepping, and still trying to finish up lesson plans for my youth wellness classes. Read more>>

Leanna Firestone

To be a working creative is to have your personhood inherently intertwined with your work. At a regular job, when you go home from work, you can leave it behind, or at the very least- being bad at your job doesn’t make you feel like you are a bad person. But making art is a response to being alive and your experience of life, and to have your livelihood be tied up in that can make it hard to define a boundary between you and what you make, and even harder to separate the criticism of your art from the criticism of self. I’ve been an artist full-time for about 4 years, but I still have dreams that I’m working back at the smoothie place I worked at through college. In them, everything is simple. Read more>>

Marina Feldman

I am extremely happy that life gave me the opportunity to create and find myself in art. It takes many years of hard work, and having a ‘regular’ job makes it difficult to find time to follow your dreams. Throughout history, it has been difficult for artists to create among the challenges of making a living and under the pressure of outside opinions. If artists did not persevere and make these sacrifices, we would have no brilliant creators. Read more>>

Jack Roberts

I think that most full-time creatives have this question bouncing around their head regularly… or at least I do. I think all jobs present challenges and are rewarding in different ways.

If I had a regular day job, I would have much less flexibility with my time. I would probably have to commute. I think I’d need a new wardrobe, unless the office attire includes graphic tees from all the bands I’ve worked with over the years. That’s pretty much my whole closet. But with a regular job, I might have health insurance covered and a consistent paycheck, even if I just do the bare minimum. Probably most important- I would be building someone else’s dream. Read more>>

Jugashree Bisoi

I am definitely satisfied with what I do. Creative people enjoy a lot of mental and physical freedom.

In all honesty, I knew what I wished to do when I was at school. I knew I wanted to be a creative person or a businesswoman and my parents always supported me in that direction. At that time, I wanted to be a professional artist and never considered a regular job. Read more>>

Ndeye Niang

Most days, I’m genuinely happier as a creative. I love the flexibility of my schedule, the opportunity to create meaningful content, and the ability to be an example for those who’ve often felt excluded from traditional media spaces. I especially love connecting with so many different people online and sharing, learning, and growing together. Read more>>

Kamma Marlo

I think all freelancers consider having a more stable job, but I wouldn’t change my freedom of not having a schedule, being able to travel, and doing what I want. Read more>>

Zenia Olivares

Oh, I’m absolutely happier as a creative. I spent about 10 years working different office jobs—mostly in finance and while they provided structure and a steady paycheck, they lacked the one thing I really needed: visual creativity. I’ve always craved beauty, color, and storytelling, so even while working those corporate roles, I had creative side hustles going. Whether it was photography, making art, decorating, or just curating spaces that felt intentional and inspiring, I always found a way to fill my creative cup. Read more>>

Jessica Swift

I genuinely love being an artist and building a creative career on my own terms. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about being my own boss—setting my own schedule, making my own rules, and steering my path with full autonomy. My days are fluid and flexible, which allows me to be present for both my work and my family. I get to create, dream, and bring my vision to life on a daily basis, and having full control over every aspect of my career is something I deeply value. Read more>>

Skye Wang

It’s hard for me to picture myself going to work on a fixed schedule, but honestly, I’m not against the idea of having a job. In fact, in some ways, having a regular job, like working in one of those sleek office buildings filled with modern technology, as seen in Jacques Tati’s Playtime, surrounded by colleagues in suits who barely acknowledge each other, has always felt a bit like a fantasy to me, even a source of my inspiration. Read more>>

Britta Brunet

I’ve been self employed for almost 3 years now… it’s terrifying when I don’t have my next project or client lined up. So I definitely think many times throughout each month, how much easier it would be to get a “9-5 job” and have consistent income. But I’ve done that, my whole life… and the one thing lacking in all that was…my freedom. Being my own entrepreneur as a “starving artist” has so many challenges, but I get to wake up and do WHAT I LOVE! But I can also wake up and just spend the day with my kids. There’s no clocking in and out for me – I just make my deadlines, make sure I’m in good communication with my clients, and it’s far less stressful. Read more>>

Aris Miller

I’m absolutely happier as a creative—but it took me getting sick, burnt out, and heartbroken to fully admit that.

For 2 years, I was a high school graphic design teacher. I genuinely loved my students and believed deeply in the work I was doing. Watching them grow, express themselves, and find their voices through design—it gave me life. But the system I was working within? It was draining me. I was overworked, emotionally exhausted, and carrying the weight of grief I hadn’t even had time to process. I kept pushing through for the kids, but eventually my body and spirit said, enough. Read more>>

Alli Miller-Fisher

“If you can do anything else in the world and be happy…do that.” This was quoted on my first day of college at Ball State University as a Musical Theatre Major, and at 18 I was like….Ummmm no nothing. Done. This is it. Fast forward to now and I still feel the same…mostly. What I think wasn’t fully explained then was to also find what PART of the entertainment industry made you the most happy. I describe myself as an entertainment Hat Rack because I love performing, writing, producing, directing, managing, choreographing, etc etc etc. If it’s mildly creative I wanna do it. This sometimes works against me I think as those that just wanted to do ONE thing focused in on that one thing and can be seen as being much more successful. I don’t think of it that way but I see from the outside that I can be seen as indecisive. Read more>>