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.

Austin Knight

For the first six to eight years of my career, I would have emphatically said yes—I was happy as an artist and creative. And to be clear, I still find joy and fulfillment in this work. However, as I get older, I’m realizing the physical toll it takes. This career often demands sacrifices from your body that aren’t immediately apparent. I’m only 31, but I already deal with chronic pain in my knees, back, and shoulders. I see a massage therapist monthly and a chiropractor biweekly just to maintain my ability to do my job. I do appreciate the freedom this career offers. I get to set my own schedule—right now, I work 1 PM to 7 PM, Tuesday through Friday, and that’s a dream schedule for me. The idea of a standard 9-to-5 feels insufferable after having this level of autonomy for so long. But recently, I’ve been questioning whether I can sustain this work. Almost every day, I consider what alternatives might exist—ones that wouldn’t be as physically demanding. Read more>>

Siti Husin

I am absolutely happier as a creative person. As a person who enjoys working from home, I’m also a mom who homeschools her children. There are a lot of things on my plate on a daily basis but I’m efficient in managing my tasks, family, and creative work. I’m thankful for the course I took in college and the work experience I gained as a secretary back in Malaysia. I’m free to be creative. As an artist, I noticed that when I put four to six hours working on my painting I often feel that it’s not like work. And there is a blessing in doing the work you love. You give 100% of your time and attention to your work and as a result, it gives you the satisfaction and inner peace knowing that you accomplish something at the end of the day. Read more>>

Micky Kurz

I’m definitely happier as an artist and creative. For me, there’s something magical about turning abstract ideas into something tangible and impactful. But that doesn’t mean I never think about what life would be like with a more “regular” job. I think every creative has that moment when the instability of our path makes you wonder, “What if?” The last time I had that thought, I was recovering from a hip injury. It forced me to slow down and reevaluate everything—not just my career, but my entire way of living. One day, I was sitting at home with all this free time I wasn’t used to having. Bills were still coming in, projects were on pause, and the uncertainty was eating at me. I thought, “What would it feel like to have a 9-to-5, a steady paycheck, and that kind of structure?” Read more>>

Jerome Smith

I’m definitely happier as an artist and creative—it’s who I am at my core. But I’d be lying if I said the thought of a ‘regular job’ never crossed my mind. When you’re in the entertainment industry, especially as someone like me who wears so many hats—producer, actor, entrepreneur—it’s easy to get caught in the whirlwind and wonder what life would be like if it was simpler and more structured. The last time I really thought about it was during a late-night session a few months ago. I was in the studio finishing a project for a major TV placement, and it was one of those nights where everything that could go wrong, did. The mix wasn’t clicking, the client kept pushing for revisions, and my phone was blowing up with messages about deadlines for other projects. It was 4 a.m., and I remember stepping outside the studio, looking up at the sky, and thinking, What if I just had a 9-to-5 where I could clock out and leave everything at work? Read more>>

Ramiro Leal

I’m happiest as a creative, without a doubt. But I think it’s natural—especially during the quieter or more uncertain moments in your career—for your mind to wander and wonder, What if I had a regular job? I had one of those moments not too long ago. I’d wrapped a big project, and like many artists, I was waiting for the next opportunity to take shape. During that lull, I caught myself imagining the stability of a 9-to-5—clocking in, knowing exactly where the next paycheck would come from, maybe even having weekends entirely off. But the thought was short-lived. Read more>>

Avi Castellanos

In my heart, I’ve always known that music is my path—not just as a profession, but as the force that truly ignites my soul. From the beginning, I understood that this journey would be far from easy. It would demand sacrifices, resilience, and the willingness to embrace delayed gratification. At 25 and a year out of college, deciding to pursue music as a career wasn’t an easy choice. The music industry evolves at a relentless pace, and success often feels like an abstract, ever-shifting concept. I’ve considered other career paths—music therapy, becoming a licensed psychologist—and I’ve worked in non-music jobs that bring me fulfillment but ultimately serve as stepping stones toward my true calling. Read more>>

Bhoomi Mistry

What I like about Graphic Design is that while it is a highly creative field, there are ways to pursue this profession within a nine-to-five context. One can enjoy the security and comfort of a routine while exploring interesting design challenges.  I always wanted to pursue a creative profession but it wasn’t necessarily about having or not having a ‘regular’ job per se. I’m happy as long as I can do this, support myself, and see a scope for growth in this field.  So far, I’ve taken my career as an opportunity to explore my many diverse interests. I’ve studied fashion, film-making, advertising, and journalism and have worked as a copywriter, art director, and storyboard artist. This journey has led me to graphic design. For the next few years, my focus will be on honing design skills. Eventually, my dream is to cultivate a multidisciplinary design practice where I’m able to weave in all my diverse skills. Read more>>

Nneka Chima

Yes, I am happy being an artist. Art is not just a career but a lifestyle and a way of life. My life has always been inclined toward art from my mother being an artist to my constant impulsiveness to draw, create 3-dimensional structures, write poetry, or take pictures from a very young age. My mind has always been a module of ideas which is never at rest. I am always writing, reading, creating, or conversing with like-minded peers on ways to improve myself or my craft. Read more>>

Catalina Beltrán

I love working in theatre. Being in rehearsals, preparing a play, reading plays, and collaborating with the creative team brings me immense joy. However, recent global events—wars, political shifts, and social unrest—have sparked a desire for deeper understanding. I find myself drawn to the humanities: sociology, history, philosophy, law. I’m fascinated by the work of journalists who strive to understand and explain these complex issues. Part of me yearns to be in their shoes. Read more>>

Amber Brewer

Being an artist has brought me lots of happiness! Some of my favorite memories I’ve had involved art in one way or another. But there have been many times where I would wonder what it would be like to have a “regular job”. When I was in college studying illustration, my homework would be drawing while I had other friends studying for psychology exams or working office jobs. It made me think, is this really what I’m stressing over? Drawing? In my opinion, becoming a successful artist can be more challenging than having a traditional job because there is no dedicated life path to becoming an artist, or normal work hours. I’m sure many other artists can relate to wanting a set working time, but some might even like the leniency. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to just have a 9-5 job where the hours are set and your schedule is picked for you, but I like that I can be able to choose my own time or work from home before bed. Read more>>

Chrissy Chambers

To be honest I’ve been asking myself this question a lot lately! After going through a divorce in the last year, kind of having my career upended, and really starting to struggle financially, I have asked myself this often recently. It’s been hard, figuring out how to navigate a creative path on my own, after being part of a duo for my entire adult life. It’s a blessing though, and after a year and a half and many doubts in myself, I am finally coming around the bend to believing in myself again. I am fortunate to have a supportive girlfriend who believes in me and reminds me how capable I am often, which has helped tremendously. Read more>>

Al Riordan

I think my life would have been a lot simpler if I had pursued a non-creative field. There’s something about the structure and predictability of a traditional career that could have made things a lot easier to navigate. I’ve always had a lot of passions outside of music, things I would have loved to dive into if I hadn’t chosen this path. For example, I’ve always joked that my main love is making a good spreadsheet, and my second love is music. There’s something incredibly satisfying about organization, structure, and the simplicity of working with clear systems. It’s almost meditative in a way. Read more>>

Matt Bilfield

Being a creative and having a traditional job both have their ups and downs. For much of my career, I worked in television on the creative side and in corporate roles while pursuing my art on the side. It was only after more than a decade that I made the leap to being a full-time artist. So, I don’t really wonder what it’s like to have a regular job anymore; instead, I reflect on the contrasts between the two. Read more>>

Jake Pardee

I play music professionally, operate a recording studio, and teach private lessons. There are many interactions and logistics that surround each of these activities. When I have a full day of work, I really enjoy having the variety of activities I find myself involved in so doing the actual work is really a great blessing – performing music, helping people to realize their creative dreams. The work itself is incredibly rewarding and I get the opportunity to collaborate with extraordinary talented and interesting people. When I consider what it would be like to have a regular job it’s usually because I am busy doing the logistics of scheduling or getting paid. Usually I remind myself that that type of activity would be a part of a regular job, too but there is a certain amount of difficulty with the unpredictability of freelance work. Read more>>