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.

Jingxi Guo

As a sound engineer and designer, ever since I graduated from Beijing Film Academy, my father has been advocating for me to find a decent job from a big company, be it Tencent or Google. Read more>>

Regina James

The greatest measure of happiness has become the freedom for my time and creative energy to be used for myself and family. After spending 12 years in a corporate creative space and giving my all to a brand, I was let go from after a restructure. Read more>>

Sharpo

I have always lived the life of a performer. I have had very very few “day jobs” in my life. I am happy but more than that I am grateful to get to live life this way. Read more>>

Nicole Higgins

I love this question, I think about this ALL THE TIME. I am so happy as a creative, and it’s also something that is so hard too right? Read more>>

Rigatoni Garrido

I consider myself to be extremely happy with my current creative career! I get to be my own boss and there’s no one to tell me that I’m running my business wrong. I can sit back and relax and draw the day away. Read more>>

Lindsay Marullo

Being an artist requires so much emotional investment. Sometimes it feels like having a more conventional job would allow me to disconnect a bit of myself from the work, making it less emotionally taxing. Read more>>

Yijun Wang

Often I’m grateful that I’ve chosen work that I love and am passionate about, and for a long time growing up I had ‘less interests more interest’ as one of my mottos in life. Read more>>

Jodie Bentley

Nothing like getting to the heart of it immediately! Am I happy? Short answer – yes. I can’t imagine my life if I wasn’t an actor and entrepreneur. I’m a Gen X’er. Read more>>

Brittany Conder

Some days, most days, I wake up with motivation. I start my coffee and begin to contemplate what i’ll do for the day. I wrestle with what i should create and if i should try to create something people will like so i can make money or make something that would bring me joy and which is more important. Read more>>

Monae Marleau

Yes, Im extremely happy as an artist/creative right now. I’ve finally made it to the point in my career where Im making a living off of my music, and can focus on it one hundred percent. Read more>>

Katie Johnson

I have always wanted to be my own boss and tried a few different avenues that were learning lessons. When I did those other jobs, I did always fantasize about a regular job, ie. paycheck:-) Read more>>

Catron Wallace

Life is not solely about money. It is about the experiences we have, the people we meet, and the challenges we face. I am grateful for all of them. Read more>>

Alessia Secli

As an artist, some days can be tougher than others, our field is full of uncertainties and on our bad days it’s easy to wonder if a regular job would make our life easier. Read more>>

Julia Lawing

I am extremely fulfilled as an artist! It means getting to do what I love, on my own terms. That’s NOT to say it’s easy, by any means. Read more>>

Alec Ybarra

There is no better feeling as a cinematographer than reading a screenplay that has layers, vision, and something profound behind it. Read more>>

Leisel Strickler

I love being an artist/creative – I wish I had embarked on this journey sooner! I really enjoyed working at an office while figuring out my passion for woodworking. Read more>>

Paul Kroner

Since I can remember, I’ve always felt destined to create in some form or another. As a child, while briefly entertaining dreams of becoming a professional baseball player (abandoned after facing my first 50+mph pitch), Read more>>

Tynisha Reneè

The irony is that I imagine the exact opposite. I love creating! Discussion-based videos are a form of expression for me. Some of my best content is unscripted and unfiltered – and in those moments, I feel free to be myself. Read more>>

Katie Jean

Fun fact: I DO have a regular job! I’m currently thriving as the Marketing Director at Shaper Tools. Balancing this role with my personal passion for art has been incredibly rewarding. Read more>>

Noemi Barajas

Currently, I am happy as a creative and I will always have good and bad days. Just like any other job comes accountability and responsibility. Read more>>

Mikayla Kapri

At a young age I knew I wanted dance to play a major role in my life. I always enjoyed working behind the scenes in creating a dance performance/being part of the design aspect. Read more>>

Caitlin Eliza

I am extremely happy as a full-time Content Creator! Before this, I did have a ‘regular job’ as a social media manager working for a company managing and running 3 different brands for them. Read more>>

Chenghao Yu

As an artist and illustrator, I am passionate about expressing my inner longing for nature and beauty. Growing up in a small city far from the hustle and bustle of the world, Read more>>

Karley Miller

Overall? Absolutely. But there are those days that make you question the validity of what you’re doing for sure. I know the old adage is ”do what you love and you never work a day in your life” Read more>>

Amanda Vanderbur

It took me a long time to feel I deserved the title of “artist”, as I always thought of the term to be more of a trait or talent that I had. Read more>>

Amy Hamack

I don’t have to wonder what it would be like to have a “regular job” since I spent over a decade working in corporate America before deciding to pursue a full-time career as an artist. Honestly, I’m infinitely happier now. Read more>>

Roz

As difficult as the music industry is, I truly can’t picture my life doing anything besides music. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. Read more>>

Ying Tung Lin

I grow up in an artist family. My aunt, and uncle are art teachers, and my mom is a graphic designer. I went to many significant natures, buildings, and museums while traveling, Read more>>

Maria Jose De La Cruz

I am happy, but I also think that life as an artists or a creative can’t stay consistently happy. The highs are very highs and the lows can also be very low. Read more>>

Kelly Ashton Todd

As I find myself once again navigating the demanding season of grant writing and applications, a persistent question burrows deep into my thoughts: How much is it about who you know and how much is it about the art? Read more>>

Carol Measom

I love being an artist. I have been fortunate enough to have retired from business at the age of 49. This gave me the ability to do whatever I loved, and I discovered my love a painting in my 50’s. Read more>>

Emily Counts

Yes, at this time I am very happy as an artist. There are difficulties and anxieties that come with being self-employed, but I feel incredibly grateful and lucky to be able to make art full-time, and to have this passion. Read more>>

Jacob Zuko

If you went up to a child and asked them if they were happy making crayon drawings or sculptures with play-dough, I imagine you’d get a pretty straightforward answer in the positive. Read more>>

Azadeh Ramezani Tabrizi

Throughout history till now, it’s evident that being an artist is not a choice “to” survive. Nevertheless, I am content with my decision. Read more>>

Rjay Wagner

I’m extremely pleased with choosing the path that I knew was for me. I’ve worked many regular jobs in the past and I hated every minute of it even when I’m making money. Read more>>

Ebony J. Wright

Yes! I am glad I was given my gifts of creativity. Since I already have a regular job, I often wonder what it would be like to be a full time artist. Read more>>

Hudson Ingram

As an artist and creative, I’ve engaged with the stereotypical aspects of how this job sphere is non-lucrative for practically all participants beyond the big players and institutions collecting it. Read more>>

Heather Gill

I feel like I’m adequately prepared for that question! I worked in the banking industry for over 20 years before I finally accepted the title “Artist”. Read more>>

Autumn Jones

Of course there are many challenges that come with the “unconventional” life of a creative, especially one who wants to make their craft their livelihood. Read more>>

Joseph Patrick Moore

I’m happy and don’t wonder about a “regular job”. Read more>>

Aalisha Jaisinghani

I’m definitely extremely fulfilled as an artist. I’ve had a glimpse of what my life could look like in a “regular” job, but it has only confirmed that music is and always has been my destined path. Read more>>