How do I know if I'm ready to quit my job and work as a creative full-time?

There's no perfect moment, but there are honest ones. I'd look less at your savings account first and more at your actual practice—are you already creating regularly despite working elsewhere? That's the real tell. The practical question isn't 'Am I talented enough?' but 'Do I understand what I actually need to earn, monthly, to live?' Many creatives underestimate this because they've never had to face it directly. Before you leave, spend three months tracking what you genuinely spend—not what you think you spend. Then double it. That's your baseline. You'll also want to know: who pays you now, informally? Friends buying work, commissions, small contracts? That's your starting customer base. The people who already believe in what you make are worth more than a hypothetical audience. One more thing—notice if you're running toward something (your creative work) or away from something (your job). Both motivations work, but running toward sustains you better through the lean months. You don't need permission. You need honesty about numbers, a real sense of who values your work already, and clarity about whether this is escape or calling.