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.

Ross Honde

I think I’m happier as an artist, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t sometimes wonder what life would be like with a regular job. In fact, that’s something I’ve been wrestling with quite a bit lately. Read More>>

Xinzi Luo

I feel incredibly fortunate to be a creative practitioner. Creating has given my life a sense of curiosity and purpose that never allows it to become boring. That said, I don’t reject routine or stability. In fact, I currently have a relatively steady part-time job with regular hours and responsibilities. Read More>>

Giovanni Jones

I am deeply fulfilled by my work as an artist and creative. For me, creativity is not simply a profession. It is a calling. I believe that when you have the courage to pursue what genuinely moves you, life begins to meet you with the right opportunities, people, and experiences. Read More>>

Morgika

In general im very happy with being a musician. Social part of it fuels me with so much love. Meeting new people, connecting to them through music, belonging to something bigger is so important to me. I still do have a ‘regular life’ on the side and it can be very difficult to combine it. Read More>>

Nina Childs

A few months ago, I was sitting at my desk after spending hours juggling production work, parenting responsibilities, and advocacy for my two sons, Kingston and Kyle, who are both on the autism spectrum. As a divorced single mother and independent producer, there are days when it feels like everyone gets paid before you do. Read More>>

Chris Jeanguenat

When I think about whether I’m happy as an artist, I would translate “happy” more as “fulfilled,” and in that sense the answer is a resounding yes! I feel a strong sense of purpose and meaning in my work. I believe God has given me a skill to develop, and working within that gift brings me a lot of joy. Read More>>

Olena Krevenets

I am very happy to be an artist and to work across different kinds of creative projects. My experience has allowed me to bring many parts of myself together and turn them into new skills. Years ago, I could never have imagined that I would design a yacht interior, decorate an event for 270 people, create snow in summer, or bring beach vibes into winter. Read More>>

Hunter Silvey

I often ask myself how to measure happiness in a creative field. Some of the most successful moments in my career have also been some of the most mentally challenging. When I was 24, my career had just started to gain momentum. Read More>>

Mohamed Saadani

Of course!I feel happy being an artist. For one thing, my perception of the world and the environment we live in differs from that of others. I sense this in my conversations with friends and everyday people. An artist sees and analyzes things differently, guided by their own philosophy and the way they deconstruct subjects or objects within their imagination. Read More>>

Quincey Laroux

Oh, this is a very good and relevant question for the times we are living in. Although I sometimes doubt my ability to convey all the emotions related to this question, or that anyone would actually care about what I have to say. Read More>>

Greg Mason Burns

Man, this question is so difficult to answer, and the answer always comes out so easily every time I think about it. I worked in a corporative environment for many years before I realized that I was neither happy nor making any gains I wanted in my life. Read More>>

Aidan Smith

I think that my final semester studying percussion performance in college was the first moment that I had had serious doubts about my creative abilities and about my future, and in the year since I graduated, I’ve been returning to these thoughts often. Read More>>

Kat Fletcher

Short answer: YES! I am so grateful to be able to make a living doing what I love. About once a week, I realize that I’m doing what little Kat dreamed of, and it hits me like a train. Read More>>

Sabrina Burrell

For years, I stood with one foot in a job and the other in creativity, trying not to fall. The job barely paid my bills, but little by little it began taking something more valuable—my time, my imagination, my sense of self. Read More>>

Yvette Cardenas

No matter how difficult circumstances get, I’m much happier pursuing life as a creative. There’s something special and fulfilling about pursuing your dreams that just can’t be satisfied elsewhere. However, I often find myself thinking about how much easier life would be If I had a steady job with a steady income, especially during an economy as draining as the one we’re currently in. Read More>>

Jacqui C. Smith

Creativity has always been woven into my life. As a child, every career I dreamed about was somehow connected to art. First, I wanted to be a fashion designer, then an architect, and eventually an animator. Because of that, I never seriously imagined myself pursuing a non-creative career beyond temporary jobs to help pay the bills during slower seasons. Read More>>

Ki’ami King

Yes, I am happier as a creative. I remember being miserable at every other job I’ve ever had, so when I really think deeply about it, I am so much happier than I have ever been previously. This is not to say that I don’t have bad days or times where I really just want to give up. Read More>>

Nisha Agrawal

Absolutely — I’m genuinely fulfilled by what I do. My creative world is quite diverse: I’m a henna artist, I paint using henna-inspired techniques, I’ve worked on murals, and I run a clothing and styling business. Creativity isn’t just my profession; it’s how I naturally express myself. That said, the idea of a ‘regular’ job does cross my mind from time to time. Read More>>

  Jaida Henley

Honestly I am so in love with working for myself. I have worked in corporate and I have spent time working for myself as well. The benefits from working a full-time job is a major thing you miss when you decide to work for yourself. You are also giving away the consistent income from your set rate. It can be challenging. Read More>>

Hendricks

I am definitely happier now! Before becoming a full-time artist, I worked 9 to 5 for years and every day was a dread. Read More>>

Cici Thornton

ARE YOU HAPPIER AS AN ARTIST OR CREATIVE? Being an artist and being a creative are inseparable for me. Everyone is creative. Being an artist is simply one specific way that creativity takes form. And yes—I’m happy being an artist. I’ve genuinely never imagined being anything else. Read More>>

Jess Peoples

I really love the wonder that comes with being an artist. The idea that I can continue to shape the world I live in and also pay attention to the small things and stop and document them. I feel incredibly blessed to pursue this path and am thankful to continue learning and growing. Read More>>

Tzu Ni Hung

I am happy as an artist but when the funding system drowns me, I think about having a regular job. Read More>>