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.

JoJoer

To be honest, I’ve never considered creation a ‘job’—it feels more like something everyone inherently does in the rhythm of daily life. My expression simply happens to lack utilitarian purpose, which ironically cloaks it in a layer of romanticism. Compared to traditional work structures, creative fields offer freedom, yet this fluidity also means there’s no clear beginning or end. For me, it means navigating droughts of inspiration, embracing ambiguous voids where clarity fades, and accepting that progress isn’t linear—experimentation and exploration must continue regardless. Unlike conventional industries, creativity emerges from within, slowly radiating outward to gather resonance. Read more>>

Sylvia Yang

This was a question I often found myself wondering in the months following my graduation. Now, I can say with certainty: Yes. In fact, I believe I can only truly be happy as an artist.

After graduating from the School of Visual Arts in New York, I left the city where I had spent my entire college life and moved to Toronto in June. While the cost of living was lower and I no longer had to worry about visa issues, I knew this also meant giving up the connections and potential opportunities I had built in New York. Last summer, I idealistically believed I could sustain myself as a full-time freelance illustrator. However, despite my family’s continuous support, reality soon set in. Read more>>

Casey Rock

While everyone in Open Door Policy has honed their craft for over at least a decade (and in many cases, much longer), the majority of us also have full-time jobs. So we’re all working that 9-to-5 while using the art of music to express ourselves and connect with fellow human beings.

So, for me, this question actually goes the other way: “Do I want to try and make it as an artist full-time?” I have deeply considered this, but so far have not taken that plunge. I enjoy being able to make music and perform for people without having to think too much about numbers and performance (which I do daily as a content marketer). Read more>>

Adara

This is a question I’ve truly thought about multiple times in my artistic journey, but most recently about 6 months ago. Some major life changes had me questioning whether I had the space and energy anymore to devote to music. However, the time I granted myself to step away from music a little bit has given me a lot of clarity. While i’ve added some other major and important things to my life, who I am is not complete without the ability to create art. I’ve been able to remove some of the intense pressure I’ve put on myself to be “successful” in a major way, and in doing so have given myself the peace and freedom to just let the ideas come to me again. To sit in my art without judging it too harshly. Read more>>

Kaiqi Zhang

There are moments when I wonder what it would be like to have a “normal” job, one with predictable hours and clear-cut responsibilities. One such moment came during an intense theater production, where I was responsible for costume design under immense time pressure. The nights were long, the problem-solving relentless—last-minute alterations, sourcing emergency fabrics, ensuring everything looked perfect under stage lighting. I was exhausted, and for a brief moment, I thought, Wouldn’t it be easier to work a job where I could just clock out at the end of the day? Read more>>

Josh Clare

I’m so grateful to be an artist. I love it, and I thank God every day that He’s given me this chance. But the other day I had an experience that really made me think, it’s something I don’t want to ever forget and it’s an experience I think will help others no matter what they do for a living. Here’s the long version: Read more>>

Brandon Holley

Being an artist and creative gives me the ultimate freedom that I personally thrive off of to enjoy life. In high school and community college I had a couple jobs that I enjoyed but I knew I wasn’t going to be working in surf shops my entire life. Once I moved to Los Angeles, CA at 19 years old, I perused my music career full time and that’s where I felt my purpose in life begin. I lived a dream and nothing short of that. After touring for almost 10 years straight I thought to myself that it was time to slow down and begin a more regular lifestyle. Read more>>

Clare Burdeshaw

I can’t imagine anyone who calls themselves an artist hasn’t grappled with the thought that life might be easier with a standard 9-5 job. Who wouldn’t? A “regular job”, whatever that might be defined as, has fixed schedules, upfront assignments, a steady paycheck and a clear trajectory to “climb the corporate ladder”. Being a creative is not for the weak. I own my own art business as a registered sole proprietorship and anyone who does the same knows that there’s no time off, no set work hours and no weekends. What you put into your craft is what you get out of it. The months where I work till after midnight every night and all through my Saturdays and Sundays are (unfortunately), the most successful. But what I have that a 9-5 doesn’t is that I am the captain of my own ship. And that’s something I am grateful for. Read more>>

13row

I actually quit my “regular job” as a CNC machinist a few years ago to go back to school and learn to paint. I’ve spent a lot of time questioning this decision, and wondering if I made a mistake. However, I always felt underpaid and unappreciated in the field of aerospace. As an artist I get to bring to life to my own ideas and as a machinist I was simply manufacturing someone else’s ideas. Even though I was making and building things I was always deprived of creative freedom. Read more>>

Yashira Ponce

I’ve thought about this a lot, especially in my twenties. As an independent filmmaker I’ve had all sorts of jobs, some that align better with my creative skills and some that are not creative at all.

One thing I’ve learned about myself, for better or for worse, is that I have very little tolerance for doing something I don’t want to do. The downside of this is that it can be difficult to maintain a “regular job” since in every job there’s an element of doing something you don’t really care for. The upside is that I have accepted that “regular jobs” aren’t for me. That realization is helping me live in a more authentic way now. Read more>>

Karly White

I worked a full time job for some time as the sole breadwinner in my household; I did dull, tedious work writing business plans and doing market research for many years, but always wrote my own personal work on the side. After having children, I quit and committed to being home, both to raise my kids but also to focus on writing creatively. I don’t miss the work, I do miss the sense of stability, of knowing when and where a paycheck is coming from. But even more than that, I think–and I don’t mean to say the money and financial stability is inconsequential, many of us don’t have the luxury of shrugging at that–I miss having a job people think is worthwhile. You may be doing something soul crushing, dull, and that ultimately has little benefit to humanity (market research for yet another office? Read more>>

Luis Alvarez

I’m sad that I am not as creative as I want to be, but my soul is happy that I am doing it.

I actually had a job in early 2024. It was cool, but the lack of purpose really punched me in the gut. Then again, who finds that in a day job? All power to those who have one or more though. It’s tough out here and trust me, I’ve tried to find one for myself. But by the grace of God, He’s got me elsewhere. Read more>>

Kilo Angeleno

I feel like I’m living my purpose as a creative; that is, fulfilling God’s purpose for me. And that makes me happy. Knowing I’m manifesting my gifts on a daily basis really makes life worth living. Naturally, there are adversities one must confront, but you’re going to face them either path you choose to take. I’ve learned in recent years that you’re going to endure some pain regardless if you choose to fulfill your purpose or you just get a regular job. I’d rather experience the growing pains of doing something that makes you happy. Read more>>