I think a lot depends on 'momentum' or starting from creating no money at the start, and slowly creating a reputation, a fan base, and many other 'boring' things related with being a creator and making a living that could replace that day job.
Working on a 'traditional' job gives us X USD for 160 hours a month of alienated work while creating things takes out money from our pockets for the first, we say, 18 months.
I don't try to oversimplify it, more like understanding what's happening with me.
creating things takes out money from our pockets for the first, we say, 18 months
Let's just say it took longer than that before I had anything I was willing to even consider trying to sell. I first started writing fiction in 1996. I didn't finish my first novel until 2009.