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.

Carys Vanessa

There is no other path for me than the one I am on. It’s taken years to really embody that idea and I have often doubted myself throughout my years pursuing music and creative endeavours as a career. Even that word, “career.” Bleh. Boring. There is no word as uninteresting as “career. I think it’s socially codified, in a way, to mean something more than occupation. And I think where I struggle with that is that I have never felt settled into the idea of music or arts or writing being simply an occupation, when it is who I am inside of my cells and within the ridges of my bones. The artists reading this know exactly what I mean without further elaboration. Read more>>

Chase Pickford

If I had a nickel for every time I thought about working a regular 9 to 5 I’d have enough money not to be a struggling artist. For a long time, I felt that having such a thought must mean that I’m in the wrong field. But I’ve come to realize that thinking about other career paths doesn’t make you less devoted to your current one. It makes your love of art informed instead of blind. I love filmmaking for better or for worse for all the things it is and despite the things it is not. Read more>>

Chris Costanz

I would say I’m very pleased with my career thus far, although my therapist would probably give you a different perspective. All kidding aside, working as a creative has been the most fulfilling pursuit of my life. Whether it’s on the big screen or doing stand-up for a small crowd, I get the same level of excitement trying to interpret the world or make sense of a character through my lens. To answer your second question, I don’t think I’m cut out for the 9-to-5 life and, funnily enough, neither are the characters I’ve played. I’ve been a marine biologist who chases down 5-headed sharks, a playboy restaurant owner, and a personal assistant turned murder suspect. Read more>>

Claire Lee

My relationship with art has always been a bit of a rollercoaster. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be an artist, and by high school, I was certain that a creative career was the only path for me. Today, I’m thrilled to be an artist and feel incredibly grateful to be a part of this industry. I work full-time as a Textile Designer, do freelance Illustration and Design, and run a small stationery business on the side! I’m blessed with these opportunities and wouldn’t trade them for anything. Read more>>

Erica Eng

No artist is happy — and all artists are a little insane. But we do it anyway because we love what we do, we believe in our work, and let’s be honest – we’re all a little stubborn. I’ve also spent hears having a “regular job” and I have to say… I’d rather struggle doing something I love than struggle doing something I’m not passionate about. Read more>>

F. Thompson

I used to have a full-time job, and there was very little time for my own art. As much as I enjoyed my job I felt the need to spend more time creating and doing my own art. So I quit my job and used all my skills to make my art business work. Some people asked me if I feel I can achieve success now that I am my own boss. In my mind, success is a very powerful word with many different interpretations. I like interpreting “Success” rather than fame and money, to having a life with happiness and fulfillment. Creating and making art gives me this feeling of success.  Read more>>

Gary Thomas

I am incredibly happy as an artist and a creative. Entertainment is in my DNA. Entertainment is what I was born to be part of. By the time I was five, I knew what I wanted to do. Anything to do with dancing, singing, and performing on TV or in movies and I couldn’t stop watching. Read more>>

Ginna Tomalonis

I actually have had this thought come up in the last year or so. Last time I did an interview with you guys in 2018 I was very new and eager to pursue my art as a career and also just new in general to selling what I was create. Then not too long after, the pandemic happened. During the pandemic it was somewhat great for artists and creators since a lot of people were supporting online shops and purchasing artwork and things to decorate their space. Then of course now, with inflation and things it’s just been a bit harder to survive as a small business and creator. Read more>>

Heather A. Wolynic

As an artist, I often catch myself thinking about whether I’m really happier in this creative world or if I sometimes wish for a regular job. There have definitely been moments when I’ve considered what it would be like to have a typical 9-to-5, especially during those times when I needed a reliable income and couldn’t quite land a full-time creative gig. I’ve done my fair share of “regular jobs” in the medical field and retail, but honestly, they left me feeling pretty unfulfilled. Eventually, I made the jump to art education, and that really helped ease my restlessness about not being a full-time painter.  Read more>>

Jon Campbell Rose

Oh yeah, I fantasize about just working at a movie theater or being a line cook all the time – both things I’ve done before and turns out wasn’t very good at, so that definitely speaks to the affectation. Of course there are dark nights of the soul where you doubt yourself and wonder if you have the talent, patience, or capacity to live on ramen for a week when times are tough. Especially early on, these ups and downs happened pretty consistently, and I think it’s a big part of starting out being a creative; it’s a constant litmus test to see whether it’s all really worth it. I enjoy so many aspects of life, that I think I’d love spending my career doing many things; unfortunately, as you know, time around here is finite. Read more>>

Jordan Sims

Yes. I am significantly happier as a creative! I’ve worked a variety of positions on film and TV sets: the coffee-getting production assistant, the drowning-in-emails production coordinator, the director who tries to make gold out of bronze, and more! 90% of my professional experience is in this industry. Sometimes it feels like you’re never going to catch your breathe, while others it is so still you’re worried you’ll never work again. Lately it’s been the later for me. During times like this, there is a lot of time for reflection.  Read more>>

Joshua Maxon

Of all the things I’ve done & jobs I’ve had in my life, making art is simultaneously the hardest & most fulfilling. I’ve been doing what I do for almost 13 years, full-time for 5, and I can’t imagine ever doing anything else. It’s what I eat, sleep & breathe. I used to think that me doing anything else but jewelry was me “giving up”.  I do think about going back to a regular job sometimes, like when things get rough, & sales get slow, but I can’t. It’s almost a physical reaction against it. Not that I wouldn’t go back if I absolutely had to.  Read more>>

Khy Yen

I’m happy about being an artist because I get to express myself. Music is an outlet, most artists say it’s therapy and it really is. Growing up I always used to write in my journal or randomly pick up a pen and write a poem, now I just add a beat. Read more>>

Kristen Kelso

Being an artist is filled with high highs and low lows. I mean, life is in general – but there’s something that feels extra poignant about an artist’s roller coaster. And like — I think about what life would be like with a regular job all the time. At least daily. Especially in this economy! I’ve gone the regular job route. I sought out the stability and security that come with corporate America. And it sucked the life out of me. I was miserable. Read more>>

Nika Koplatadze

Creating is incredibly important to me; it fuels my energy and inspires me daily. Art isn’t just a passion—it’s a fundamental part of who I am. But the creative journey comes with its challenges. Life is full of obstacles and moments of doubt that shape our character. During art school, I worked as a waiter and a carpenter to support myself, facing the internal struggle of questioning my path. We all experience times when we wonder if we truly love what we’re doing. In the end, those doubts fade, and clarity emerges. You have to be bold and pursue your ultimate goals and visions. Seeing the best version of yourself and going for it—that’s when the magic happens. Read more>>

Savanah Joeckel

When you hear the word passion, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? It usually involves some kind of strong interest in a creative pursuit or a hobby. To put it simply, it means a powerful feeling. A strong feeling of desire, hatred, anger or bliss. An emotion in its purest form. That’s what I’ve been chasing after as have many others in the pursuit of storytelling. We even leap into blind faith for it; We quit our day jobs, move somewhere else, leave behind relationships, friendships and even family. We reconstruct ourselves to pursue the very thing that we believe will change us. Read more>>

Stephanie Scolman

Am I happier as a creative? Absolutely! Running my own creative business brings me so much happiness. The freedom to express myself and connect with other creatives through my brand is truly incomparable, and I get to spend quality time with my 3-year-old son beyond just the usual pick-up and bedtime routine. Of course, there are highs and lows, and sometimes, when things slow down, I find myself in panic mode. I might start contemplating a conventional job or freelance work, but then I remind myself that my energy and efforts are best invested in my business. Read more>>

Stevan Morris

For all of its ups and downs, I don’t think I would trade being an artist for another “day job”. For all of its ups and downs, the good days are that much sweeter knowing that you earned them and created the opportunities for yourself. As scary as it can be that your paycheck isn’t consistent, I love the feeling of accomplishment knowing my power to create sustains me and even allows me to thrive. I don’t think I could ever settle for someone else, a “boss”, writing my paycheck ever again! I wouldn’t trade that stability for this feeling of accomplishment. There is a unique sense of satisfaction with every creation that is sold. Read more>>

Veronica Flores

More than happy, being creative is part of my nature. I tried to express it in all my paintings but also in my daily life; around the house . Starting with my story, I did have a regular job, I am an orthodontist in my country, Argentina. I worked and studied for many years and due to my husband’s work, we moved to the United States and currently live in Houston Read more>>

Karen Marie Hernandez

It’s difficult to say if I’m genuinely happy as an artist/creative VS having a regular mundane job because I technically have a little bit of both haha! With all the challenges that come with doing music the DIY way while at the same time trying hard to make it become a career is such a battle cuz you’re passionate, happy, and very childlike in the beginning – filled with so much curiosity and wonder. Read more>>