Is it natural to wonder what life would have been like had you chosen a different path? Is it common? We asked many artists and creatives from all over the country if they’ve ever wondered about whether they should have pursued a more standard career path to see what we could learn from their stories.

Meggan Decker

I am always fantasizing over another job or career. Maybe that is part of having a creative mind. I have to laugh, because if you were to ask my husband, he could probably give you the time of year that I am plotting out my next adventure. Typically in my industry, we get pretty slow twice a year. January and July. My guess is because in January, it is right after the holidays. For one, money is tight for everyone, and for two, most of our guests are getting services for holiday parties, photos or just so they feel their best while seeing friends and family. Read more>>

Bianca Jade

Being an artist has many ups and downs. One day you’re killing it and getting a ‘yes’ from everyone, and then the next day a bunch of doors close in your face. As an independent artist, I’m in charge of my career and seeing through every detail. I’ve had many times in my career where I considered giving up, but in every scenario where I considered what I would pursue instead of music, life just looked very bland. I currently work a 9-5 job to support my career and it’s a job that provides a lot of stability and I could have it for many years to come, Read more>>

Jazmin Anita

Someone recently asked me if I was happy where I was and my first instinct was to jump up and say “Yes of course I am! I’m doing my dream job!” And while that’s true, I long for the days where I could create freely without career/financial pressure. My art came to me more authentically when it was a hobby, so now I’m re-wiring my interests and attempting to create the way I did when I was younger; that means sketching for fun, coloring in coloring books, and treating unfinished pieces with the same amount of pride I would a finished one. Read more>>

Yujin Choi

I’m much happier to be an artist than being an office worker. This thought always comes to my mind whenever I hit the wall. Whenever I question to myself like, ’Ok, the situation is not easy, but would you go back the office life?’ Then my answer is always ‘no’. Even thought I will get a chance to work at the office again, I will choose my life to be a dancer.  Read more>>

Mary England

What a loaded question! I mean, the motivation behind this is whether or not I’m fulfilled making money “non-traditionally”, and the answer to that is yes, absolutely. I got a side job a few years after I started my business, and it wasn’t terrible, but it had to end because I realized two things. The first was because I had been in the practice being so deeply rooted in my values, as the nature of my job, I found it very difficult to interact with micromanagers and businesses run from a core of greed and lack of substance. Read more>>

Lee Rhoades

Having spent the last 5 years making my way as a full time artist, I simply can not imagine returning to a regular office or similar job. But I would never have imagined 5 years ago how much hard work and persistence this path would take. To this day, I still put in more hours and more thought into what I do than any previous regular job I had in my past. As an artist you have to imagine, create, market, sell again and again and again to make it. There is not a marketing department or an accounting department to share the load. From start to finish, you have to shoulder every burden and it’s your own product that must be successful. Read more>>

Unique Robinson

Yes, I am truly happy having chose to honor my creative path in this lifetime. I cannot imagine what it would be like to have a regular job, as I’ve been pursuing this creative path since I was 14 years old. In High School, I remember the guidance counselor visiting our classrooms, and we had to fill out a sheet of paper asking what we wanted our career path to be. From Freshman-Senior year, I always wrote “Poet”. Sure, there were naysayers who would ask me, “are you sure? How will you make a living from this?” Read more>>

Gabriel Vianello

The short answer is yes, making art and being creative will always bring me happiness. For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for creating things—not just music, but also visual art, videos, anything. The act of creating something that could have only been made by me, and actually being proud of it, gives me a rush unlike anything else in life. That feeling will never get old. Read more>>

Lisa Fox

I am extremely happy to be doing what I love for my job, but just like anyone I have doubts sometimes. Running your own business is not easy. The last time I questioned my decision was when one of my kids’ schools emailed that they were looking to fill a front desk position. That’s the type of job I did “before” and didn’t love or hate it, but that steady paycheck sure was nice! My business has seen its ups and downs and it’s scary to be a small business owner going into a recession. Read more>>

Zandra Solomon

“I should just reenlist into the Navy” is the thought that crosses my mind when I am at a crossroads as a creator. I was a few months into my artist journey when I realized that being a full time artist is HARD. When I am sitting at my easel, at 3AM, staring at a blank canvas with no direction, I absolutely do wonder what it would be like if I just kept a “normal” job. When I was in the Navy everything that I was expected to do included some sort of manual or regulation. It was simple. Read more>>

Emily Figueras

Being a full-time artist has given me the greatest happiness! I certainly know what it’s like to have a “regular” job. I worked a few different jobs from director positions to customer service before pursuing art. I was very creative throughout my childhood and adolescence. After I finished school and entered the working world I had a really difficult time finding my place. Something always felt like it was missing. Any creative person knows that internal urge and need to create. I was unhappy when I didn’t have the time and freedom to pursue my creative interests. Read more>>

Nichola Lynch

I’ve been in the hair industry for 21 years I started when I was 15 years Old at the time I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was going through a rebellious stage, I hated school, I just wanted to have freedom but my parents were very strict with me ( for very good reasons) I would say about a month in to being in the salon I knew that I wanted to be apart of the hair world. It’s a tough industry mentally and physically and you have to love the craziness and drama of it all, but I wouldn’t change my career for the world I love what I do , and I’ve created a pretty good life fo myself and my son doing hair , it’s a industry that’s looked down on a lot Read more>>

Buddy Force

When my art brings joy to others, then I’m happy. My artistic process is super fluid, however I don’t recall happiness as a well I usually draw from. Even today, I met with a guy who’s offering me a great opportunity in his field of business, however this new position will having me working double the amount I already do. If I take the job, I won’t be able to create or pursue my creative endeavors. It’s a predicament unfortunately. Read more>>

Peachie P.

I am happy that I chose this path because it never worked out at any regular job. I have been working since 16 and I never felt like I was being paid what I was worth or emotionally fulfilled. Even though I have just started 2 years ago podcasting and I have made more connections and life long worthy experiences that I would never get by being in employment with someone else. I guess because I have a vision and instead of me nurturing someone else’s it’s a different form of satisfaction. Read more>>

Andre’ Lamar

I would have to say it’s about 50/50. Each one gives me a different type of joy. As an artist, I help to bring stories to life. As a creative, I bring my thoughts and vision to life. I have had a regular job; however, I can’t see myself returning to that lifestyle. The thought of devoting my energy, countless hours, and effort to helping someone else fulfill their dream while my dreams and aspirations are deferred or unfulfilled does not sit right in my soul. Read more>>

Tabitha Lewis

I am definitely happier as a business owner now. Mainly, because I get to own my time. I have choice now to spend time with my children and attend special events. I am also happier as a business owner now, because I get to work with other business owners and help them along their tax and business journey. I sometime wonder what it would like to have a regular job, but then I also think about the time restrictions I would have with my children. Read more>>

Azra Rahman

I love to write, I absolutely do! Out of all the things I could have pursued, I chose writing. Granted, when I started, I didn’t realize the extent of cut-throat competition that is existent in the writing world. It’s been around 7 years since I first started writing as a professional. The journey has been rewarding in many aspects. If I had to sum it up, I would say that my growth has superseded my stagnancy. Yet, when things get tough, when it becomes difficult to connect at a professional level, when the amount of effort and time put into a project isn’t rewarded accordingly, Read more>>

Tom Blood.

I love to create. Always have and hopefully, always will. In grade school, high school, college – I always excelled at projects that took creativity. I’ve always been able to draw. Perhaps my best ability as an artist is my ability to scale. I can take a small sketch and turn it into a banner that’s 10′ x 20′ – and it will look like a big version of that sketch. As an artist, every painting I create begins with a sketch. I’ll often explore ten or fifteen different sketches until I lock in on one that says, “Paint me.” Coming out of high school, Read more>>

Nathan Blalock.

First, let’s take a step back in time. A little background on my upbringing was being raised in a bar and motorcycle shop. Both parents worked full time so sports was kind of out of the question but what did interest me in these settings were seeing men and woman who had these dragons and skulls on their arms. I couldn’t believe you could permanently draw on someone and I was fascinated. I spent 100% of my youth drawing. I knew once I was in high school that I was going to be a tattoo artist. Once I graduated my direction skewed a bit and went to college for graphic design. Read more>>

Georgia Fried

I think the obsession over the happiness of artists over other jobs contributes to the economic struggle artists face. What defines a “regular job”? I struggle to find a meaningful answer to this question that doesn’t revolve around money flow. Artists certainty don’t contribute any less to society than the barista, plumber, or store manager, so we are not irregular in the sense of societal purpose. Artists jobs are everywhere; we are in tattoo parlors, hair salons, floral shops, theaters, companies’ graphic design rooms, photo studios, and store front arrangements, so we are not irregular in the sense of rarity. Read more>>

Dominique Nash

Becoming a Digital Creator and getting paid for the content I create has been an awesome journey so far. I can honestly say I am happy with this line of work over having a regular 9 to 5 job, mainly because I get to stay home and be available for my family and still earn my paycheck. I am constantly reevaluating my job especially because as a Digital Content Creator I am the will of people supporting my content by viewing it, engaging on it and sharing it in order for me to earn money. Read more>>

Kacy Grace

I feel like these two questions go hand in hand. I am extremely happy doing what I do. I love it for so many reasons. It’s being the mad scientist in the back room mixing formulas. Its painting with colors on hair like Bob Ross with a canvas . Its sculpting a haircut instead of clay. Being an independent stylist. Getting to set my own schedule. Taking the clients I want to take. Helping people feel beautiful or the best versions of themselves. To see the smile or amazement at the end result. It’s very rewarding. Read more>>

Dominique Franceschi

I’ve been working since I was able to. I forget how old I was when I was already selling gum and soda in school. My senior year in High School I was working part time, and I had a full time job before I knew what I was going to study. I’ve had my fair share of regular jobs, but as I look back on them, I realize every single regular job I’ve had, was to support my creative career at that point. I remember how surprised I was the first time one of my bosses asked me if I wanted to cash in my sick days, or if I was planning to use them. The idea that I “earned” free time for every hour worked was completely foreign. Read more>>

Stefan Prigmore

I’ve had many jobs, since and before beginning my music career in earnest. I’ve framed houses, worked collections for a loan shark, ran moonshine, cooked for some great restaurants, and a host of other jobs, as well as some decent legal licks here and there. What I’ve noticed, is that a solid dayjob keeps back the hunger, and my creativity slows. If I work as hard at my music career as I would a day job, it often pays as well, or better, and I’m a whole lot happier. Of course, there are side things I do that are adjacent to performamce like booking, sound engineer, and album production that help financially; I’m free to take on or refuse any of those jobs I like. Read more>>

Nile Yang

I am so much happier as an artist, that’s not even a question for me! I think about what it would be like to have a regular job here and there, but I know for a fact where my heart lies. The last time I seriously considered getting a regular job was in Summer of 2021 and even still, when I went into my job search, I looked only for creative jobs and I didn’t even apply to any of them. It was right after my first out-of-state Pop Up; New York was amazing as always and I was so happy and excited to be back and bring my art. Unfortunately, I made a lot of mistakes in the pre-planning and it resulted in a terrible experience. Read more>>

Louise Fleurs

When I was in high school and it was time to choose a career, I didn’t really know what I wanted to study. All the aptitude tests pointed towards biology or related fields. And while it is something I have always loved, I just felt it didn’t match with me at the moment. I chose to go to art school and while studying there I felt that I had made the worst mistake of my life. I often wondered if I should have chosen biology instead but decided to finish my career in arts anyway. Read more>>

Areej Mussadi.

When i decided to become a tattoo artist, i was 1000% in. I’ll be honest- I’ve always been a fairly impulsive person and i’ve made decisions that i regretted or cringe at the thought of. Tattooing was not one of those. It was the first decision i’d ever made that felt so right and so natural. I’d never really felt passionate about much in my life before at all- there was nothing that made me genuinely excited to wake up every morning. This all changed when i found tattooing. I can say with full confidence that every night when i’m preparing a design for a client, i am overjoyed with excitement to go into work the next day and tattoo. Read more>>