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.

Afsaneh Oroojnia

I’m actually the happiest creating, designing and providing a heartfelt service. Read more>>

Angelita Pollard

As a full-time creative, I am the happiest I have ever been. I started my dance company, Xtra Productions Dance Company (XPDC) at the age of 14. Obviously at 14, I was in no position to be a full-time entrepreneur. I went on to pursue a Business degree with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland, College Park. Following my graduation from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, I began an internship as a Talent Manager at an experiential marketing agency. Read more>>

Ginny Diezel

I love being an artist! I worked my way through college as a summer intern at the State Department in Washington, D.C., and taught French for four years. While I loved those jobs, my life as an artist has brought me lifetime rewards. Although being an artist is not a 9-5 profession, it is constantly uplifting, constantly stimulating, always entertaining, never the same! The privilege of creation is not to be taken lightly. I am thankful that this has been my path. Read more>>

Chai Valladares

To answer the first question, ‘Yes! But not all the time.’ There are challenges that test your creativity and your peace of mind. A lot of it stems to having a ‘normal life,’ whatever that is… ‘Normal,’ is generally getting married, having kids, seeing friends on weekends. It’s what I was surrounded by while I was a kid growing up, while taking the world in. At the end of the day, though, I was captivated by stories, especially things that moved away from the ‘normal.’ Read more>>

Michelle Reid

I had a “regular job” for a long time working in hospitality which, if you know you know, will strip away any sense of entitlement that you have. It teaches you to listen your client, put their needs first, and be grateful for their business. I don’t think I would have gained this level of success without those transferrable skills. Read more>>

Kalup Linzy

As unstable as it can be, I am happy as an artist. I know what it is like to work a regular job and try to focus on making art. I experienced this when I worked for The Mark Hotel through a temp agency. They wanted to hire me full time because I was so committed. Right around the same time, I won an artist grant and a free studio for a year. From that moment on, I focused on my work full time with visiting artists gigs here and there to help supplement my income. Read more>>

Sinead Stewart

To answer this question simply, I would say yes, I am happy! It’s a privilege and a joy to be a tattoo artist. I get to create permanent art that isn’t hung up on a wall or discarded. It lives, it moves, it remains. When people choose my personal designs to wear forever, I am thrilled. Read more>>

Sherman De Vries

Absolutely, I find immense joy and fulfillment as an artist. The dedication and hard work invested in my craft pay off in the satisfaction of creating something meaningful. The idea of a regular job doesn’t cross my mind because I’m committed to evolving my art and transforming it into a successful business every day. Read more>>

Ginna Pollock

Choosing a creative job has its challenges. After nearly ten years as a bank manager the monotony sucked the life out of my creative side. There was a stretch between working at the bank and starting Love Gives Art where I was a stay-at-home mom. I loved filling my kids’ world with art during that time. Read more>>

Brick Jackson

One of the most challenging goals for actors is trying to make a living as an artist. I have been trying with some success for a decade! Like most actors, I have worked regular jobs to make ends meet. When acting was at its most frustrating, when I had to navigate different levels of rejection, I often wished that working a regular job, a 9-5, something stable. Read more>>

Matt Moody

There’s a lot of layers to how I feel about this question. I have contradicting answers depending on the day you ask me, and what mood you catch me in. I primarily see myself as a songwriter, and it’s something I’ve been doing for over 15 years at this point. The process of songwriting, for me, is never necessarily a happy or joyous venture. Read more>>

Saki Savavi

I am! It allows me to live from a place of inspired insight rather than a space of pre-determined expectation. Of course I wonder! There’s a lot solidity in working a “regular job” and the path of a Creative Professional is constantly shifting and requires unwavering belief in your own vision, especially when physical evidence isn’t there. And while having a “regular job” comes with particular securities, they aren’t worth exchanging the time I require to create and expand. Read more>>

Katheryn Bowling

I have never felt more like I am where I belong in my entire life. I switched majors often in college because I was interested in many different areas, but nothing ever felt right. I could never picture myself sitting behind a desk, or working a traditional 9-5 job. In high school, I was an artist and did a lot of painting and pointillism work, and I knew I always wanted to do something in the creative field but never knew what that was. Read more>>

Poppy Li

I’ve had regular jobs in my earlier stage, and life was stable. But, I started questioning if continuing like this was the right path. Is my purpose in life just to be a tool for others to make money through a repetitive routine? Having tried both types of jobs, I can confidently say that artistic creation feels like my true calling. Read more>>

Sara Tabbert

I would answer yes to both questions. I love the creative challenge of what I do, and I love the control and choice that I have over how I spend my time. I am learning, always, to work with the financial challenges of what I do. In some ways I am glad that I have never known what it’s like to have a full time “straight” job, salary, benefits. In addition, I have spent the past 23 years living with someone who is also self-employed. Read more>>

Erin Carlisle Norton

I have spent over two decades as a creative specializing in dance and movement. I can truthfully say that despite the challenges of managing a financially and emotionally unpredictable career, I can’t imagine myself taking a different path. From studying dance as a child, to attaining multiple dance degrees and fitness certifications, to pursuing a professional dance career through my dance company The Moving Architects, I have learned that working in movement is where I am the most present and the most myself. Read more>>

Deanna James

I’m so lucky to have accomplished many of the goals I set out to at the beginning of my career. However, that being said, I sometimes struggle with what the next goals or next steps should be. I’ve found it’s incredibly important to continue to create a culture within my own studio where people feel safe, and beyond that, inspiring other tattoo artists to spread this culture throughout the industry. I also feel that it’s incredibly helpful to give back and I have been able to do this through doing free nipple tattoos for cancer survivors or other people that have lost theirs. Read more>>

Kseniia Anikina

Probably this question is a sore subject for everyone who work for themselves creating any product. Of course, there is no definite answer, there are days when you are happy creating a cool project, and there are days when you are disappointed in yourself and in your abilities. Read more>>

Treshelle Edmond

Being an artist overall allows me to follow my passion and do what I love everyday in creative way. Both as an actor and creative is such a fulfilling and exciting journey for me. I love exploring new ideas, expressing myself through different mediums, and bringing joy to others with my creations. As for having a regular job, I can’t say I’ve ever wondered about it. Read more>>

Johnny Worthen

Happiness, to state what should be the obvious, is an internal condition. That being said, being an author is a hell of a career choice for the sensitive soul. Writing—putting words on paper—is great. It’s full of all the things that allow one to be happy; creativity, expression, measurable work, sense of completion, spiritual exploration. Great stuff, but once the writer chooses to be an author, that is, to share their work, seek readers, try to get notice in any form, they have crossed over from the bright world of creative to the dark realms of commerce; from artist to salesman. Read more>>

Matt Bauer

I am. I’ve had more stable work and it made me miserable. Doing freelance creative work can be incredibly stressful and unpredictable at times, but really rewarding. And the times I’ve had more predictable 9-5 work, it was hard to have the energy and discipline to make music the way I wanted to. You come home, make something to eat, and now it’s 7 or 8 o’clock and you think, O.K. now my day starts. Read more>>

Sarah Brown

Having worked in office jobs for years, I am extremely thankful that I am now finally living the creative life I’ve always dreamed of. I’m new to the illustration industry and can already see that it certainly requires a lot of resilience, dedication and hard work. However, as well as doing what I love, it is also a flexible career that I can work around family commitments, which is obviously a huge advantage when you have a young family. Read more>>

Tracy Li

Honestly, I’m thrilled to be an animator, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know my current classmates and teachers. When I applied to college, I was fueled by a passion for animation. However, once I stepped into university, the tidal wave of demanding coursework and various social and language challenges hit me very hard. So, whenever I faced tough assignments or felt overwhelmed by the workload, I’d start questioning myself: “How are others students going through their homework? Am I the worst student in the class, leaving no positive impression on my peers?” Read more>>

Dina Perlasca

I am extremely happy being an artist and a ceramics professor. I have had other jobs in my life before being a full time artist and ceramics professor. I have been a secretary and a ranch manager among other things, but being an artist and teaching are my two biggest passions and something that feels purposeful and honorable. Being an artist was not a choice for me, I truly believe that I was born an artist. Read more>>

Fengyi Ye

In my artistic journey, I’ve observed a notable shift in my emotional landscape. What once felt like a tumultuous roller-coaster ride has gradually transformed into a steadier state. This transformation hasn’t stemmed from a smoother path in art but from my evolving relationship with failure. Over time, I’ve grown accustomed to setbacks, learned to adapt to them, and even discovered moments of joy within them. There has been a significant shift in my mindset. Read more>>

John Paradiso

Although I show nationally I do not make a living from my artwork and have always had and continue to have outside employment. I live and work in The Gateway Arts District, in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The arts district was developed to attract economic revitalization along the U.S. Route 1 Corridor with an arts catalyst. Read more>>

Alicia Astacio

I am very happy as an artist. I myself consider art to be a “regular” job. Art is everywhere and everything we just give it different names. Like a pizza is named pizza but it’s a combination of things to a create a thing. . . Similar to a painting a poem. I definitely consider pizza artistry but so is the way someone walks or the way the way decorated their home. Or the way two artist can portray the same style hint differently. Read more>>

Steven Ecker

Yes I am! If I wasn’t I wouldn’t be doing it because it’s certainlty a rollercoaster of ups and downs. This creative journey has been endless tests of overcoming my self-doubt, limitations, and staying true to my initution. I have had many internal converstations and battles whether to drop it and go back to a job with more consistent pay and stability. Read more>>

Oscar Rodriguez

My life changed for good when took an 180 degree turn when I took the decision to dedicating my time to become a full-time performing artist. If I wonder what it would be like to have a regular job, no I don’t because I had already a regular job before moving to New York City in 2017. Read more>>

Yuliya Ozdemir

I know on my own experience what regular job is like. I worked in finance for 13 years, and it was tough. My job was all about dealing with fluctuating numbers, working long hours, and trying to make shareholders happy. Honestly, it never made me happy. Now, as a watercolor artist, it’s a whole different story. Creating art brings me so much joy. Read more>>

Sara Jean Kelley

Both, and! When I’m working on something I’m excited about, or writing a song I love/feels cathartic, or playing a show to people who are really listening and enjoying then there’s nothing in the world that’s better than that. My favorite thing is when people come up to me after a show and quote my song back to me, or tell me a story about their life that relates to one of my songs. But yes, I fantasize about doing something else all the time! Read more>>

Elizabeth McNamara

I have been an artist my entire life and at the age of 15 I knew I wanted to be a Fashion Designer. It merged my love of sewing with my artistic abilities. So for 15+ years, I’ve been honing my talents and learning as much as possible because raw talent can only get you so far. I have two degrees in design and I can say with absolute certainty that I was meant to be a Fashion Designer and there is no Plan B. Read more>>