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.

Jenny Block

I love being a creative. I love the freedom it affords me. I love to be able to work anywhere. I love that there’s no uniform required. I love that it allows me to express myself and to use my imagination, some times more than others, of course. But, for the most part, my life as a writer allows me to be who I am. I tried working in corporate America. I barely lasted a year. I hated the enforcement of “business casual.”. They hated that I was always kicking off my shoes. I hated the cubicle. They hated that roaming the halls and stairwells was the only way I could combat writer’s block. They wanted me to be creative but they didn’t want to treat me as a creative. Read more>>

Zak The Tyrant

I absolutely love being a recording artist. I love doing what I want with my music, when I want and not having to answer to anyone. But I also have a full time job. Being an independent artist, I feel like many people do not take into account what comes with funding every aspect of your craft. Us independent artists have to pay for the production of the music (if the artist isn’t producing that record themselves), Studio time (if the artist isn’t recording themselves), mixing/mastering that record (if the recording artist isn’t doing that themselves)(9/10 the artist isn’t doing those things), then we have to pay for the professional cover art (if the artist isn’t creating that themselves), the music video, the digital marketing and advertising ect…. So as you can imagine, the price it takes to put out ONE successful record can absolutely accumulate. Read more>>

querriel madarang

Being an artist or a creative is a very challenging career but if you love what you do, and with the right mind setting, every challenges that you may encounter along the way will be fun to solve. I am always been a creative, that’s my default, it is fun and very fulfilling. So yes! I am very happy being a creative. Having a nine to five job might be okay but it depends. If I were to get a regular job, that would be as a creative or as an artist. After college I started working on a creative studio in the Philippines and been to other studios doing graphics, photography to video production. Read more>>

Winsley Henri

They both go hand in hand, i am both an artist and a creative/creator. I love the lifestyle of an artist and i also love the creative side of it. I do no see myself working a regular job because I don’t consider myself to be regular. I cannot settle for working for someone else, however i don’t mind partnering. The lifestyle of an artist is not easy, but its worth fighting for something you love and enjoy doing. Read more>>

Marquis Lupton

Am I happier as an artist or creative!?!?!? Ha!!! There’s a two-fold answer to this question: 1) Am I happier overall!?!? Yes! There’s times when I’m like I cannot believe this is my life and cannot believe I get paid to do this, and my favorite “This thing started from an idea and now I paid my rent with it”. So yes, there are happy euphoric moments that I believe only can come from that entrepreneurial creative grind. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean life is easier. Which brings me to point #2 Read more>>

Lisa Yves

I am one of those people. You know the ones you meet who are destined to be a creative? Someone you can’t picture doing anything else. I was born with a song in my head. From a young age, my mother would sit with me at night and say words and I would try to come up with every rhyme I could. Little did I know I was in training to write lyrics and compose music. My life centered around the piano. Once I found my voice (around age 10), I sought out any opportunity to sing/perform for anyone that would listen. I always wanted an audience. The creative spirit overtook any thoughts I had about anything else. Read more>>

Jim Farmer

I had a horrible job 20 years ago where – after my boss found out I was gay – she eventually fired me for my “work performance,” despite a recent high evaluation. I was working for a university and was making a decent salary but that experience soured me on taking jobs solely for the money. I vowed never again to do that and I haven’t. I am very happy as a creative – a film festival director and a writer/editor. Read more>>

Rashard Paul

I love this question, because I first started dancing at the age of 13, that was also the age I got my first job. Working to make enough to pay for my formal dance training. 10 years later, I finally own my dream business, “Roman Dance Company” and work for myself full-time. Before officially launching “Roman Dance Company” in March of 2022; I was working a full-time job, with 60 hour work weeks. One day, after being there over a year, I realized I should be working in 60 hours a weeks for myself, and my own brand. I realized that I was not going to be truly happy within myself until I gave my dreams, and myself a chance to live. I haven’t looked back since, I feel free as a creator and a harding working man; never been happier to “clock in” at work! Read more>>

Alex Karshis

I think about this regularly and focusing on what makes you happy is by far the most important lesson I have learned. I currently focus on my creative work rather than getting a regular job and I have been doing so since I graduated. I have many friends and clients that have regular jobs and I see how happy they are. Let’s just say I would trade my situation. Sure some of my friends are happy but having pure creative freedom over what I produce makes me so happy deep down. Read more>>

COSMIC

I feel like having music apart of my life really defined who I am. It’s kinda funny to think what my life would’ve been without music because i have no idea what i would be doing lol. Music has really shown me a lot in terms of networking, communicating, building friendships & groups, and business qualities that no other interest has shown me. Well i recently just finished my last year at Florida State University and I can’t believe the impact it had on me after being there for 4 years. I had no idea what i was getting myself into after getting accepted into the school. Read more>>

Ryan Leal

I’m happy with the path I chose as an artist. I don’t really spend a lot of time pondering what my alternate realities are because, I’m fully present and grateful with this life I chose. I have the ability to create something from scratch, share it around the world through a device in my pocket, and market it to the point where I can get paid for it. I saw other people do it, and knew it was possible. It was a decision, and I’m happy living in that decision 4 years later. Read more>>

Ari Puguh

Choosing the path to be an artist is definitely not the smoothest decision to make, especially when you are the first one in the family that decided to be working full-time in the creative industry. When I applied to the Art Institute, there are many oppositions towards my decision, even until I graduated that skepticism within my family was still there. Read more>>

Sydney Schwindt

A lot has changed in the last several years and it’s hard to examine life as an artist without acknowledging that. There has been a lot of doubt and insecurity as much of the artistic world has been thrown for a loop – myself included. Having spent the majority of my adult life making all of my living through my artistic endeavors, suddenly that wasn’t possible anymore. I had to reevaluate and do things differently. It forced me out of my community bubble and into other passions. One of these being environmental justice. I found myself working for an environmental foundation. Read more>>

Ashley Anjalique Mc

The life of a filmmaker is definitely challenging at times. As much as I love it, there are times I’m looking up at the ceiling like, “God… help me out here.” Come to think of it, back in March I had a moment. It wasn’t a, “I want to quit” moment because there isn’t a plan B for me. However, it was more like, “dang, should I get a job?” Read more>>