The Struggle (And The Power) Of Embracing Your Creative Career

Have you been told your creative endeavours will never make you "succeed?" If that the case, you're not alone. And you're more powerful than you think!

Recently, I read a post on LinkedIn by a woman defending why a “Communications” degree is not a liability—and that there are many paths one can explore to build a fulfilling career.

It instantly took me back to when I was 17 and chose to study Communications in college. The looks I got—and especially the comments—stung.
“What are you going to do with that?”
“You won’t make money.”
And, surprisingly, the one I disliked the most: “Are we going to see you on TV?”

For a “nerdy” teenage girl who never fit into the most popular groups in school, these comments could’ve been crushing.

At the same time, I had taken one of those career aptitude tests to see what I’d be “successful” at. The top result? Civil Engineering. It made sense—my dad’s a civil engineer. Genetically logical, perhaps. Communications came in second, but for me, it was the only option that made college exciting.

“Are you seriously not interested in engineering at all?” asked the high school counselor when she gave me the results.
“No. I hate numbers. What I really want to do is write,” I replied, with a clarity that still amazes me.

She sighed. “Well, the results weren’t bad for Communications either. You can technically go and do what you want.”

That “technically” carried a weight of resignation—but to me, it felt like permission. A blessing, and maybe a curse, too. Being multipassionate doesn’t always fit in corporate—or even entrepreneurial—boxes. But that’s a story for another day. ;-)

20 Years Later…

I believe in “temporary lines” and “alternate realities.” Every decision closes some doors and opens others. Moments like these—reading a post, seeing someone live a life that could have been—give me clarity. It's like zooming out to remember how essential it is to stay aligned with who I am.

Success is often measured by other people’s standards. And when those people are “authority figures” meant to guide you, their words carry even more weight. Often, they mean well. But their advice is shaped by what they know. And you can’t know what you don’t know.

At 42, I’ve come to believe that what people call a “midlife crisis” is often the realization that you’ve been chasing someone else’s version of success. And when you compare that to what actually feels like you, it can be disorienting—even painful. But now, I realize how lucky I am.
Or should I say “fortunate”? No—I’ll say lucky. The L word, even if it’s felt a little “icky” over the years.

What is “Luck,” Exactly?

They say luck is when preparation meets opportunity—that magic moment when a series of events align to bring a desired result. We often call “magic” what we can’t explain. And these moments rarely follow a plan. They just happen. Which can feel… powerlessly unfair.

The first time I thought I was unlucky? A raffle in second grade. They gave away 15 boxes of crayons. There were 20 of us. I was one of the five who didn’t win. From then on, I decided I’d make my own luck. Some people seemed born with it. I’d have to work for it.

And I did. I took pride in my efforts—from stellar grades to applying for scholarships and exciting jobs. Achieving through hard work became my badge of honor.

But when things didn’t work out, despite all that effort, I felt unlucky again. It reminded me how elusive fortune has felt. And how painful it is to realize life isn’t always fair.

If you’re a creative person and have ever felt this way—you’re not alone. This world often feels like it doesn’t know what to do with our creativity. Our “misalignment” with the mold isn’t always welcome.

And yet, in a world increasingly run by technology, our authenticity is more needed than ever. Being a misfit—and embracing it—is how we stand out. It’s how we create our own luck.

Or, as I prefer to say: create our own path.

Your Career and Life: A Creative Process

“Life happens,” people say—usually when things don’t go to plan. And yes, there’s so much outside our control. That hurts. But every time something didn’t go my way, I pivoted.

“It’s not what happens, it’s what you do with it.” That’s not just a mantra—it’s creativity in action. It’s problem-solving. And it's also reinvention.

I was born and raised in El Salvador. Now, I’ve been living in Spain for over eight months, writing these lines from my cozy studio in the magical city of Córdoba, Andalusia.

If you’d told me two, five, or ten years ago this would be my life in 2025, I wouldn’t have believed you.

And yet—here I am.

From the outside, it might look like I just “got lucky.” Already working remotely, stable income, fluent in Spanish and English (learning German), experience in Communications and Digital Marketing… and when a new visa option appeared, I “took” it.

Sounds simple. But that’s not the full story.

This journey began over 16 years ago. At 24, I was in the U.S. as a volunteer, where I really learned English. I later applied for a Master’s program—was accepted, but denied the visa, despite a scholarship. I took jobs outside my comfort zone, and still, I thrived.

In 2015, I leapt into full-time freelancing with just two clients—yet made the same income I had in my last corporate job.

And I hadn’t even left my country yet.

Since I always knew I wanted to write, I did just that: blogs, web copy, emails, presentations. Remote work allowed me to blend passion with in-demand skills—and keep learning.

Aren’t we creative people experts at pivoting, again and again?

The journey hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been exciting, and deeply fulfilling. And eventually, a visa to live and work remotely from Spain opened the next door.

Connecting With Yourself And Your Inner Power

I’ve known since I was 12 that I wanted to live abroad. Whether permanently or just for a time, I wanted to explore. The farther, the better.

And here I am—with the Atlantic Ocean between me and my birthplace.

The word “luck” is used so often, it can feel like we have no control over it. “I can’t just win the lottery,” you might say. True. I’d love to command millions into my life too, believe me!

But “hitting the jackpot” doesn’t usually look like that. It often takes months, years—sometimes decades.

I once heard that “overnight success” takes years. I believe it.

But I also believe things can change overnight—not just for the worse, but for the better.
Optimism may sound naïve to some, but for me, it’s a strategy. And it’s taken me further. So, I choose to believe in that most optimistic voice when I spot new opportunities.

In an interview, someone asked: “What would you say to other women wanting to move to Europe?”
My answer: “The opportunities belong to those who dare to take the leap.”

Like a surfer waiting for the right wave—when it appears, it’s up to him to decide.
He either catches it… or lets it pass.

That’s what luck is: not just the wave, but the decision to take it.
To do that, we need to reclaim our power.

Choosing opportunities that align with who we are—and who we’ve always wanted to be, despite fear and judgment—that is what it means to “be lucky.”

Some people I know have more experience, speak more languages, have more money—even a European passport. And yet… here I am.

External circumstances can help or hurt. But it’s what you do with what you have that makes the magic happen.

And sometimes, great things are there, waiting—just beyond the moment you decide to catch the wave.