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.

Cinzi Lavin

It’s extremely important for people to understand that being an artist/creative is a “regular” job. While everyone interacts with the arts every day (listening to music, watching TV shows or films, seeing graphic art or choreographed dancing), it’s still a struggle to be acknowledged as professionals. I was filling out a form the other day and every profession imaginable was listed, but not a single art; I had to check “Other” as my occupation. Who else has to do that? People who wrangle snakes for a living? Read more>>

Tara Chugh

I went the traditional route of earning my Bachelor’s degree, working a 9-5 since I was 18 years old, and then went back to school for a Master’s in Business Administration to work for a tech company. I officially quit that job during the pandemic and can confidently say that I am definitely happier as an artist and business owner. It doesn’t come with it’s difficulties though. A regular job can offer consistency whereas the life of an artist and business owner can be a wave. Someone get me a surfboard because I’m riding this crazy wave lol! One thing a regular job couldn’t give me, was the ability to feel ALIVE. What even is a ‘regular’ job? Because a 9-5 could very well be a job that makes you feel alive. When I hear things like ‘regular’ job, I think of someone having to work a job not aligned with their purpose or passion for the salary and benefits. Read more>>

Rachael N. Blackwell

I am definitely happier as an artist and creative. Like many, I’ve had “regular” jobs and the odd job both before I was fully immersed in the theatre world and even when I was still coming up in my craft. Every non-arts job I ever had taught me a life lesson that I still use to this day and for that, I’m forever grateful to have had those experiences. Read more>>

Brent Schoonover

I am happiest as a creative. I have been a freelance illustrator since 2006. Which is crazy to think about. It can be tough when you hang out with friends or family and they talk about the stability that comes with a traditional job and employment like health insurance and retirement funds. We obviously have those as well but its harder when you are the employee and employer. I will say though that the ability to be flexible is huge for us right now as my wife and I both run our own businesses and work from home. So when a kid is sick or we have just a road block thrown in our schedule, we can adjust and it doesnt require taking a paid vacation day and worrying how that will effect any plan time off we had marked down in the future. Its a trade off but one we are happy to have. Read more>>

Sanket Mehare

Framing Dreams: The Emotional Journey Behind the Camera Life has a way of steering us toward our true calling, often through paths we least expect. My story began with a diploma in mechanical engineering, but my heart was captivated by something entirely different—photography. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a passion, one that filled my soul with a sense of purpose I had never felt before. Read more>>

Eric Ching

Ever since I was 18 (I’m now 32), I always thought that all I ever wanted to do was play music and only play music for a living. There was a certain pride that came with the seriousness of the pursuit. I had read so many biographies of jazz musicians that the lifestyle had been romanticized to death in my mind. Read more>>

Clydia Collins

There are days when I love being a creative with every fiber of my being, and then there are days where I catch myself wondering: what would life be like if I just had a regular 9-to-5? I’ve had nights where I’ve cried myself to sleep, exhausted from pushing through creative blocks, feeling like my breakthrough is so close yet so far. I’ve stayed up until sunrise, staring at my work, wondering if it’s enough, if I’m enough. And sometimes, I think about what life would be like if I just gave in to the comfort of a regular job; clocking in and out, living on someone else’s schedule, knowing exactly what each paycheck will look like. Read more>>

Matthew Kent Everett

I am truly happy and fulfilled as an artist. Whether I’m performing, composing, recording, or discussing music, each day offers a chance to create and share my passion with others. I’m grateful for my life and the opportunities I have. Before fully embracing my artistic path, I worked various regular jobs, mostly during my student years. In 2007, I hit a point of burnout after juggling multiple gigs as a musician—playing, teaching, and conducting. Frustrated and exhausted, I decided to make a drastic change. I chose to pursue real estate, thinking that it would give me the ability to manage my schedule and still have time for music. I also decided to move back to Austin, my hometown, without a plan in place. Fortunately, a friend offered me a place to stay temporarily. Read more>>

Emma Hapner

The last time I really thought about this question was after a solo exhibition of my work in 2023; I had worked harder than ever to create a large body of work, and I truly felt that it was my best work yet. The opening reception was amazing and I was getting lots of positive feedback from other artists and galleries, but I only sold a few pieces out of the whole show. I was so disheartened and really began to question my own skills and the content of the work. Then, a friend asked me, “If you knew the work wouldn’t sell, would you have painted it differently?” And when the question was framed that way, I remembered that I don’t paint because I want to earn money, I paint for the joy of painting and because I love it. Whenever I have doubts or get start to wish I had a normal job with a salary, I remember this conversation, and I remember how much I have always loved to paint. I feel so lucky to be pursuing my passion. Read more>>

Hala Hooper

I appreciate this question a lot. I’m going to be brutally honest. I envy my friends who are smart and aimless in their twenties. The ones who do not know exactly what they want to pursue—that don’t feel like they missed a train to destiny every morning. As I grow up, I find myself chipping away at a victim complex I developed somewhere along the way. Sometimes I feel terribly unlucky to have been born with such a uniquely clear desire of who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do with my life. This, of course, sounds like a gift—unless your dream is to be a successful songwriter and you were raised in a place like Colorado Springs without much of an industry hub, even more frustrating when you moved from L.A. to Colorado at ten. Read more>>

Khalisa Rae Thompson

Am I happier as an artist or creative? It’s not a simple yes or no—it’s more like asking if the ocean is happier being water. Being creative isn’t just what I do; it’s who I am. It’s how I process, how I breathe. Creating lets me take chaos—whether it’s joy, anger, heartbreak, or confusion—and turn it into something tangible, something meaningful. There’s a kind of fulfillment in that which feels like happiness, but also something deeper: purpose. Read more>>