Do you ever wonder what life would have been like had you chosen a more standard path? Does everyone have these doubts sometimes? We wanted to find out and so we asked as many talented artists and creatives as we could and have shared highlights below.

Nazli Brush

As an artist, happiness is at the core of my creative journey. I firmly believe that pursuing art is not just a career choice, but a way of life that brings immense joy and fulfillment to my soul. The ability to translate thoughts and emotions into tangible forms is a gift that constantly reminds me of the unique path I have chosen as an artist. Read more>>

Molly Brown

Being able to make a career as an actor is continually rewarding and I could not imagine my life any other way. While the hustle is hard being able to wake up and do what I love is truly worth it. I find genuine happiness when I am on stage and working on theatrical production. Read more>>

Adam Roa

Ah, the question of happiness as an artist! If I am being completely honest, there’s a level of joy and fulfillment in being a creative that I believe is unparalleled. The freedom to express my innermost thoughts, feelings, and perspectives in a way that resonates with others is truly rewarding. And more than that, it’s a deep-rooted part of who I am, not just what I do. Read more>>

Chelsea Blaire

I am happier than I have ever been working as an artist because of the opportunity to express myself one hundred percent freely. I choose how and when I work, rather than being at the mercy of a construct that is limiting, such as a large company or someone else’s business. Read more>>

Billy Gruber

I am happy. It’s tough for sure and I definitely struggle with feelings of inadequacy as I wrestle between the right balance of working dayjobs for survival, focusing on my artistic passions, and still allowing myself a “private life” to unplug and relax/enjoy other creations not my own. However not only is expressing myself one of the best outlets to keep from suppressing my emotions but having the opportunities to travel & gig have taken me all over to places I would never be able to fathom. Read more>>

Madison Memering

I am very happy as a full-time artist but I do think about what it would be like if I would have pursued a more stable lifestyle for myself from time-to-time. I believe a lot of people that have a 9 to 5 may not have to stay up through the night thinking about what needs to be done to sustain themselves as often as I do. Read more>>

Kelci Crawford

The timing of this question could not be more perfect. For the last few months, I worked full-time at an office at a “regular job” due to tight financial circumstances. While it had been sort of nice to have steady paydays, it was not worth the crappy HR department, the manager, the coworkers, or the work itself. Read more>>

Toom Chanda

As an artist, I find immense joy in creating and expressing myself through my work. However, there are times when I wonder what it would be like to have a regular job with a steady income and routine. Despite this curiosity, I ultimately choose to pursue my passion as it brings me fulfillment and a sense of purpose that I believe cannot be found in a traditional job. Read more>>

Laurisa Brandt

I often fantasize about stepping back into the workplace, sometimes to gather fresh experiences or a change of setting, but mostly because I desire to have an impact on my local community and help people when I see a particular need. I usually dream of doing something in food-service, animal care, or providing a holistic service such as counselling, education, or arts classes. Read more>>

Hyunjee Clara Ryu

I am definitely happier pushing for a creative path in Los Angeles. I have worked as a tutor on a regular basis before, and while I love children and adolescents, I enjoy hearing their stories and helping share them as much as I can. Tutoring does rarely allow for opportunities for an intimate approach. As a budding illustrator and at large a designer, I don’t really think of myself as the primary storyteller; I am but a medium for other people’s stories. And I enjoy it much that way. Read more>>

Mikolaj Wlodarczyk

I had a regular job… a long time ago and there’s a reason why I don’t anymore. I couldn’t spend all day in a suit and tie digging in the papers or staring at the numbers on the screen. Being able to manage my own time and pursuing my own goal in a creative industry is important to me. Read more>>

Erica Ostrowski

I’m very happy as an Artist but sometimes I do daydream about having a different job. I’ll imagine myself as a famous boxer or a dog groomer, sweating under the pressure during a dog grooming competition, trying to shape my poodle’s hair into a lion’s mane. Read more>>

Andi Pelfrey

I think the societal expectations today for many people is to work in an office until you retire. I did that for many many years. I’ve worked in hotels for over 10 years previous to that. While it was a consistent, expected paycheck, it was never fulfilling. I liked having the monotony everyday of entering numbers into a computer over and over again, but interpersonal relationships in a tinderbox got very old very quickly. Read more>>

Alden Palmer

I like this question because the answer changes on a daily basis. In the past, I wasn’t very happy as a creative because I was forcing myself to put my creativity into a box in order to monetize it and maximize its opportunity for recognition. Read more>>

Tonya Williams

Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to perform. I grew up in a very small town. Holly Hill, SC. When I say small, I mean small. It was ridiculously small; we only had 2 stoplights in the entire town. I loved it though. It made traveling outside of our tiny town an adventure every time. Read more>>

Casey Skufca

I think, for most artists, the entire journey is a rollercoaster. I also think that’s true for the human race in general. I would say that I am happier than I’ve ever been with my art, my music and the creative process as a whole. I’ve been at it for a long time and it’s been the most consistent thing in my life. Read more>>

Brynn Carter

I am pretty sure every artist has wondered if they would be better off at a regular job. I have worked part time in education and hustled my art on the side for a long time. It’s NOT easy, and every once and a while, the instability does make me wonder if I would be better off working a full time “regular” job-especially when I have received comments from others trying to discourage me from pursuing art as a career. Read more>>

Frank Expression

Yes, I’m happy to have a creative outlet. A way to process thoughts in a manner that is helpful not only for myself but also inspirational and respected amongst others. However in being a creative and art being an outlet, you have to be careful what is being plugged into you. Read more>>

Jessica Swank

I don’t think I could be happy doing anything besides being an artist. I’ve known that it was what I wanted to do for as long as I can remember, which sounds cliche. It took me a while to get there, but now I’m happier than I ever have been. I actually do have a regular job teaching art, which I genuinely enjoy just as much. Since it took me so long to find my way into this career, I love being able to help guide students to do the same thing. Read more>>

Jennifer Cooper

I have several jobs. Some days that feels overwhelming and that I never get a break. But I like it this way. I am never bored. Originally I was a public school art teacher, teaching 3D visual art at an art magnet school and a hobby artist on the side. I was a passionate teacher and adored my job, the students and the school in which I worked. Read more>>

Ceenami

I have never been happier than I am now as a music artist. Music has always been my passion, it is one of the only things that connects with me deep in my soul. My first career was in the military, working on a submarine. I worked 100+ hours per week, made a consistent income, and had a predictable structure in my life. But I wasn’t happy. Read more>>

Jen Ash

I do sometimes wonder if my life would be easier if I had a 9 to 5 job but I honestly think I would be miserable . I feel like as creatives , our brain works differently . My family doesn’t understand me , some of my friends think I’m crazy . and you often feel like you don’t fit into this world . Read more>>

Alaina Bader

Running my business for three years, I have found genuine happiness as an artist. The world of floral design allows me to bring an artistic vision to life, transforming nature’s beauty into gorgeous pieces. Each day, I wake up with a sense of purpose, knowing that my passion fuels my work and enables me to express my creativity in a meaningful way for my clients. Read more>>

Homo In Training Podcast

Unfortunately, we do not have the luxury to make our podcast our main form of income. We have to sustain regular jobs and this variety show. Most people who are artists/creatives have to do a lot without being monetized, but that’s the life of the artists. I guess our parents were right, artists do starve! But we do it for the love of the craft and are happy to juggle our creative ventures and our normal 9-5. Read more>>

Leah Harper

Are you happy as an artist or creative? The short answer, yes, very happy. I could not imagine my life not being able to create and tell stories. I love being in the arts so much because my job is to make people feel. To make them stop whatever they’re doing in the day, whatever stress or frustration they are going through and just stop and focus on what’s happening in front of them and feel happiness, sadness, frustration, anger, fear, whatever that scene is for them. Read more>>

Ashley Borjon

I’m intrigued by this question because I have a “regular job” and that helps me to appreciate my work as a creative more! I’ve worn many hats as a creative and even more as an employee of others. For the greater part of a decade, I’ve worked within the realm of adult education and education technology (EdTech) capacities. Instructors, teachers, whatever it is that you call us, we are afforded some expectation of creativity. Read more>>

Kris Wott

I am as happy as I can be in my current state. It is difficult to write or practice when you are as busy as I am. I try to put my mental and physical health first, not to mention I need to keep up on making my home environment clean and tidy to induce a creative workspace. Read more>>