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.

NIC@NITE And KONG

NIC@NITE: We both choose to do the things we do every day. Whether we’re happy or not, we’re both fulfilled by what we do. KONG: I don’t necessarily think about having a full time job, in fact I think I would hate having a full time job. But I constantly think of the opportunities that I’ve sacrificed or jobs that I’ve lost in pursuit of a career in art. Some of it haunts me to this day. On paper other opportunities might have been perfect for me. I just couldn’t stop performing. Read more>>

Tim Hodge

I love drawing and painting, and telling stories. I count myself very lucky to be able to have had a 40 year career following a childhood obsession. But there are days, many days, where artistic insecurity invades my head. We all have periods when we are unsure of ourselves. I question whether I know what I’m doing at all. It can be an extremely powerful emotion, especially when I was working in film and TV, you don’t know if it will be good for months when an audience sees your work. The cure is to just trust your gut. Remember your successes. You know what you’re doing. And remember your failures – they didn’t kill you. Read more>>

Alvin C Jacobs Jr

I might not know what happiness is because in America, happiness is married to monetary means and more often than not involves some form of late state capitalism. A regular job even and even just the thought of it mirrors stability but also control and maybe both of which are a problem. The last time I thought of a 9-5 I had wanted to get paid for just being there and the semblance of a safety net in terms of healthcare and maybe a retirement plan. As a creative if your business isn’t certified as a tax structure obtaining funding for a home or even a car can be next to impossible, you have to have at least an above ground corporation structured through W9’s or again you’ll never be able to access anything in your name solely as a creative. Read more>>

Onyekachi Courage Opara

when working in the studio and then I look around the studio space, seeing my beautiful works and how amazing they look, I will be like wow ! I don’t even know what else I would be so good at. Art has been my source of amotivation in life.. I am so obsessed with it , no other job would have been as fulfilling as making art. I am very much happy for whom I have become,. Read more>>

Baker Grace

I am not always extremely happy as an artist but I think that’s part of being an artist. The goal isn’t to be happy, it’s about allowing yourself to feel every emotion deeply and full so that you can create something beautiful out of it. Even if I had a regular job, I could never stop being an artist. Being an artist isn’t about what you do, it’s about how you see and move through the world. It’s about recognizing that life is a blank canvas and every step, word, action, is a brushstroke that paints our story. Making music is a way of life for me and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, I’ve always known that this is what I was born to do. Read more>>

Caroline Kid

song yet, so I knew I couldn’t afford to make music without a day job. I learned early on that a lot of artists hide their main income stream from their socials and artist identity—but truthfully, we’re all just out here trying to pay for our music and marketing. Read more>>

Dale DeSouza

When I think about whether I am happier as a creative, an experimental hip hop producer, a sonic worldbuilder, I don’t have to think hard about my honest answer—I am happy as a creative, but myself being underground and unsigned, I’ve also had the regular job at points of my life. Read more>>

Bridget Frarer

I’ve actually lived the 9-to-5 life—and for a while, I thought that’s what success was supposed to look like. I followed the path of what I studied for, got the office job, and did everything “right.” But it all felt like a big scam to me. I was good at my job, but it was not fulfilling. It felt like I was showing up every day for something that didn’t light me up in fact, it really burnt me out. Eventually, I made the decision to leave it behind. Read more>>

Sara Lunsford

I would rather gouge out my own eyeball with a melon baller than ever have a “regular” job again. I’ve done a lot of things while pursuing my creative career. I’ve been a corrections officer in an all-male max facility prison, an operations supervisor for an airline, I’ve poured concrete, medical billing, accounting… but my passion is telling stories.  Read more>>

Meghan Linsey

Honestly, I have this thought every year—usually around November to February, when the music industry slows down. That’s when things get quiet. Too quiet, honestly. I usually start spiraling, wondering what I’m doing with my life? Am I even good at this? Read more>>

Michelle Andrea Meshel Smith

I am absolutely happier as an artist—though to be absolutely honest, that happiness is hard-won. It’s not the kind of happiness that has floated in effortlessly like a breeze. It’s the kind you fight for, through uncertainty, self-doubt, and especially through financial anxiety. But even with all of that, I can say with full conviction: this is my calling. Read more>>

Laura Warren Barge

I am truly ecstatic about the trajectory of my life as a musician, which has brought immense fulfillment to my soul. Music has been my lifelong passion, and I firmly believe that the arts selected me at a tender age. Although I adore being on stage, nothing compares to the joy of sitting at the piano and playing music that emanates from my heart. Now, I have the privilege of sharing my music with my community and students, which brings me immense delight. My advice to anyone would be to embrace the role of a teacher, not necessarily in a traditional school setting, but to share your knowledge and skills freely with others, as this can be a truly rewarding experience. Read more>>

Alexis Ziemski

To be honest that answer changes for me on a weekly basis. Some days I would not change it for the world, but other days: it is exhusting… (both mentally and pysically) Sometimes I do find myself wondering what it would be like to have a “normal” or consistent job. I’ve been doing this for over a decade & I’ve stepped away from being a full time creative durng COVID/after a house fire and eventually came back when I could replace my equipment. However, in todays social media climate, being a creative sometimes feels like you have to be an “influencer” to get anywhere. If you don’t keep up with the game of reels, daily posting, constant engagment, whats in my bag, etc. trying to get your work out there can sometimes feel like shooting in the dark & hoping it hits. Read more>>

Kareem Amado

As a multifaceted creative – model, dancer, actor, and content creator – I’ve had my fair share of moments where the allure of a regular 9-to-5 job seemed tantalizing. It’s a sentiment I’m sure many artists can relate to. The freedom and spontaneity that come with being an artist are undeniably thrilling, but they can also be overwhelming and uncertain at times. Read more>>

Dhruvraj Singh Bhati

I think I am very happy as a filmmaker. But, of course the question about whether having a regular job over having a creative career does cross my mind more often than not. I mean, it was probably just a day or two ago when I was talking to my mom back in India after screening a three episode mini series that I worked as a part of USC’s Straight to Series Capstone class and she asked me when will producing things like that start ‘paying’ me, as opposed to my roommates who are in tech and will end up with a regular job pretty soon after they graduate and get paid the big bucks. Read more>>