If you've ever felt drained by the conventional workplace and long for more flexibility, freedom and alignment with your energy, a portfolio career could be the perfect solution.
I've been building a portfolio career for a few years now and it's amazing to have stumbled upon this article as I didn't know there was a name for this until today. As an HSP I wanted a work environment that helped me to do creative and meaningful work without overwhelm. Thank you for explaining this beautifully, Rachel.
I'd love to connect with anyone out here who are building a similar career path as I am at the stage where I am looking to grow my network through collaborations and share values & purpose :)
Thank you so much for your kind words - it means a lot to know the piece resonated with you ☺️ I love that you’ve been building your portfolio career in a way that honours your HSP nature. It’s so powerful when we realise we can create meaningful work without burning out.
And yes - the name often comes after the path is already unfolding, doesn’t it? 😊 I hope you find some beautiful connections here. There are definitely others walking a similar path, and I’ll be cheering you on as you continue building yours.✨
i love this! i have so many interests that i'm mediocre at (maybe some are better than others) but i have no idea how to get these skills out to people and also if i'm only medicore at it aren't they going to be constantly complaining and wanting better than I can achieve?
Thank you Rebecca, I hear you so much in this. First of all, having many interests is a beautiful thing - it means you're curious, creative, and multi-dimensional. And what feels “mediocre” to you might be incredibly valuable to someone else. We’re often our own harshest critics.
People don’t always want perfection - they want connection, authenticity, and someone who truly cares about what they’re offering. Start with the things that light you up the most, and let your energy lead. You don’t have to be the best. The right people will appreciate you for exactly who you are ❤️
Oh, this is wonderful to read. I hope it becomes more mainstream! I'm turning 40 this year and became an employee for the first time last year. I'm finding the 9-5 schedule impossible and cannot wait to go back to freelancing and having a portfolio career again. I thought the stability from being employed would be soothing, but instead, I have never felt more unhappy and anxious!
Thank you for your kind words Agatha, I truly hope this becomes more mainstream too. And wow, I'm impressed that you've only had your first taste of being an employee at almost 40! I love your insights and how interesting that you thought the stability of being an employee would be soothing, but it was the opposite for you! I hope this has given you more fuel to get back to designing a career that works for you ☺️
I wasn’t even familiar with this term when I began my own portfolio career last year, but I’m now 6 months in and I wholeheartedly agree with your reasons they can be wonderful! Not limiting myself to one thing (and being mediocre at it) has been so freeing!
Oh that's awesome to hear how this approach has been working for you! Exactly, it's incredibly freeing to be able to pursue things that you're curious about and gain new skills along the way. Thank you for sharing your story!
I have been seeing this term “portfolio career” a lot lately & you made it easy to understand. I’m a current 9-5er but deep down I’m ready to move on. There are so many things I want to try (and hopefully make money from). Only recently have I embraced my multi-passionate self but I look forward to a different way of working soon.
Thank you Rashida for your kind words, I'm so glad to hear this resonated with you! I love how you’re thinking about this and applying it to your career. This is definitely a fantastic path to follow if you have multi-passionate curiosities so you can pursue all of your interests 👏🏼 Thank you for sharing this!
I deeply agree with this! And having different sources of income is such a great way to create more stability while embracing being curious and multi passionate 🫶
You’ve really hit the nail on the head Jessica about this being the perfect way to embrace being a deeply curious multi passionate! I too consider myself a multi passionate and this way of working offers us a path to satisfy all of our curiosities. Thank you so much for sharing this ❤️
Oscillating between feeling like I’m someone who just hates working vs thinking this could be a viable career path for me. I feel like it would be a risky step before buying a home / going on maternity which I hope to do in the next five years.. but how long do you put off doing the kind of work you really want to do?
I really feel this Isobel, it’s such a tender place to be in, holding both the desire for freedom and the realities of planning for your future. It’s not always easy to trust what’s true for you when the timing feels uncertain, but just naming it - that longing to do the work that really lights you up - is powerful. Wishing you clarity and courage as you keep listening to your inner voice ❤️
I‘ve been doing this intuitively for the past 10 years. I thought about going to study for a bachelor now, since I don’t have a proper education. I am scared that it won‘t work for me because I am HSP and most ppl aren‘t.
That's amazing that you’ve been intuitively building a portfolio career for a decade - that shows so much wisdom and self-trust Zuzu. Whatever path you choose, your awareness of what you need is a real strength - and that will guide you toward what does work for you. You’ve already done so much that’s aligned so trust that you’ll continue to find your way ❤️
Ahh, this means so much, thank you Dalila! That’s exactly what I hope to offer through this work. I’m so glad it resonated and met you where you are ❤️
I love this so much Amber, it’s such a validating moment when you finally find the language for what you’ve been building all along. I’m so glad it resonated with you! 🙏🏼
I feel so seen.I have spent years bouncing around roles, trying to find somewhere I fit and that works for me and it just doesn't. I'm constantly exhausted and feeling so stuck, never knowing where I'm headed. This seems like the perfect solution. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing, Cara 🙏🏼 I’m so glad this resonated with you - that feeling of bouncing around and never quite finding your place is so real for many of us. A portfolio career can offer the kind of flexibility and alignment that traditional paths often don’t. You’re not stuck - you’re just ready for something that actually fits. So glad this gave you a new way forward ✨
I’ve just recently started putting aside my limiting beliefs and realizing that a 9-5 isn’t going to work for me, despite the financial stability it brings. Thank you for validating my needs as a HSP and giving me a little encouragement! :)
I’m so glad this spoke to you Morg! It takes so much courage to acknowledge what doesn’t work for you - especially when it comes with the weight of stability and expectations. Honouring your needs as an HSP is not only valid, it’s essential. You’re not alone, and I’m cheering you on as you carve out a path that truly supports you ❤️
Yay! I’m so glad it landed Ana ❤️ Portfolio careers are such a beautiful way to honour your range, energy, and creativity - and there's so much freedom in following what truly fits!
Absolutely Elizabeth, the gig economy definitely overlaps with portfolio careers in some ways. The difference here is really in the intention and design behind it - choosing a multi-stream career that aligns with your energy, values, and strengths, rather than just piecing together gigs out of necessity. But yes, it’s interesting how language evolves to reflect different layers of the same idea ❤️
I have managed to create this for myself an over the last several years without realizing what I was doing! Yay me!
I have felt like I’m perceived as a flake who just doesn’t want to get “a real job”. But I’m actually very hard working and committed to what I’m working on. It’s frustrating that most people don’t see that.
I attempted a standard full-time job last year and I feel like I’m STILL coming out of the burnout it threw me into.
I’d like to have a bit more stability in my income, but I’ll take that particular stress any day over the stress of the grind. A worthy trade off in my mind.
Great article. I really needed this validation today!
Yes - yay you indeed Christin! 👏🏼 It takes so much courage and self-trust to build a portfolio career, especially when others don’t fully understand it. You’re not alone in feeling that frustration - so many of us have been seen as “flaky” simply because we’re choosing a path that actually honours our energy. I totally get what you said about the trade-off - a bit of income uncertainty is tough, but nothing compares to the cost of burning out in environments that don’t fit. I’m so glad this article offered the validation you needed today - you’re doing something so worthwhile ❤️
I've been building a portfolio career for a few years now and it's amazing to have stumbled upon this article as I didn't know there was a name for this until today. As an HSP I wanted a work environment that helped me to do creative and meaningful work without overwhelm. Thank you for explaining this beautifully, Rachel.
I'd love to connect with anyone out here who are building a similar career path as I am at the stage where I am looking to grow my network through collaborations and share values & purpose :)
Thank you so much for your kind words - it means a lot to know the piece resonated with you ☺️ I love that you’ve been building your portfolio career in a way that honours your HSP nature. It’s so powerful when we realise we can create meaningful work without burning out.
And yes - the name often comes after the path is already unfolding, doesn’t it? 😊 I hope you find some beautiful connections here. There are definitely others walking a similar path, and I’ll be cheering you on as you continue building yours.✨
Hi Shafa, I'm in the same boat. Would love to connect ❤️
i love this! i have so many interests that i'm mediocre at (maybe some are better than others) but i have no idea how to get these skills out to people and also if i'm only medicore at it aren't they going to be constantly complaining and wanting better than I can achieve?
Thank you Rebecca, I hear you so much in this. First of all, having many interests is a beautiful thing - it means you're curious, creative, and multi-dimensional. And what feels “mediocre” to you might be incredibly valuable to someone else. We’re often our own harshest critics.
People don’t always want perfection - they want connection, authenticity, and someone who truly cares about what they’re offering. Start with the things that light you up the most, and let your energy lead. You don’t have to be the best. The right people will appreciate you for exactly who you are ❤️
Thank you so much for your reply, that makes sense I’ll try reframing my thoughts on that!
Oh, this is wonderful to read. I hope it becomes more mainstream! I'm turning 40 this year and became an employee for the first time last year. I'm finding the 9-5 schedule impossible and cannot wait to go back to freelancing and having a portfolio career again. I thought the stability from being employed would be soothing, but instead, I have never felt more unhappy and anxious!
Thank you for your kind words Agatha, I truly hope this becomes more mainstream too. And wow, I'm impressed that you've only had your first taste of being an employee at almost 40! I love your insights and how interesting that you thought the stability of being an employee would be soothing, but it was the opposite for you! I hope this has given you more fuel to get back to designing a career that works for you ☺️
I wasn’t even familiar with this term when I began my own portfolio career last year, but I’m now 6 months in and I wholeheartedly agree with your reasons they can be wonderful! Not limiting myself to one thing (and being mediocre at it) has been so freeing!
Oh that's awesome to hear how this approach has been working for you! Exactly, it's incredibly freeing to be able to pursue things that you're curious about and gain new skills along the way. Thank you for sharing your story!
I have been seeing this term “portfolio career” a lot lately & you made it easy to understand. I’m a current 9-5er but deep down I’m ready to move on. There are so many things I want to try (and hopefully make money from). Only recently have I embraced my multi-passionate self but I look forward to a different way of working soon.
Thank you Rashida for your kind words, I'm so glad to hear this resonated with you! I love how you’re thinking about this and applying it to your career. This is definitely a fantastic path to follow if you have multi-passionate curiosities so you can pursue all of your interests 👏🏼 Thank you for sharing this!
I deeply agree with this! And having different sources of income is such a great way to create more stability while embracing being curious and multi passionate 🫶
You’ve really hit the nail on the head Jessica about this being the perfect way to embrace being a deeply curious multi passionate! I too consider myself a multi passionate and this way of working offers us a path to satisfy all of our curiosities. Thank you so much for sharing this ❤️
Oscillating between feeling like I’m someone who just hates working vs thinking this could be a viable career path for me. I feel like it would be a risky step before buying a home / going on maternity which I hope to do in the next five years.. but how long do you put off doing the kind of work you really want to do?
I really feel this Isobel, it’s such a tender place to be in, holding both the desire for freedom and the realities of planning for your future. It’s not always easy to trust what’s true for you when the timing feels uncertain, but just naming it - that longing to do the work that really lights you up - is powerful. Wishing you clarity and courage as you keep listening to your inner voice ❤️
I‘ve been doing this intuitively for the past 10 years. I thought about going to study for a bachelor now, since I don’t have a proper education. I am scared that it won‘t work for me because I am HSP and most ppl aren‘t.
That's amazing that you’ve been intuitively building a portfolio career for a decade - that shows so much wisdom and self-trust Zuzu. Whatever path you choose, your awareness of what you need is a real strength - and that will guide you toward what does work for you. You’ve already done so much that’s aligned so trust that you’ll continue to find your way ❤️
wow, you see me.
Ahh, this means so much, thank you Dalila! That’s exactly what I hope to offer through this work. I’m so glad it resonated and met you where you are ❤️
I didn’t realize there was a name for what I have been slowly creating! Loved reading this 🩵
I love this so much Amber, it’s such a validating moment when you finally find the language for what you’ve been building all along. I’m so glad it resonated with you! 🙏🏼
Thank you 🙏🏽
You're so welcome Tara, I'm really glad this has been meaningful for you ❤️
I feel so seen.I have spent years bouncing around roles, trying to find somewhere I fit and that works for me and it just doesn't. I'm constantly exhausted and feeling so stuck, never knowing where I'm headed. This seems like the perfect solution. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing, Cara 🙏🏼 I’m so glad this resonated with you - that feeling of bouncing around and never quite finding your place is so real for many of us. A portfolio career can offer the kind of flexibility and alignment that traditional paths often don’t. You’re not stuck - you’re just ready for something that actually fits. So glad this gave you a new way forward ✨
I’ve just recently started putting aside my limiting beliefs and realizing that a 9-5 isn’t going to work for me, despite the financial stability it brings. Thank you for validating my needs as a HSP and giving me a little encouragement! :)
I’m so glad this spoke to you Morg! It takes so much courage to acknowledge what doesn’t work for you - especially when it comes with the weight of stability and expectations. Honouring your needs as an HSP is not only valid, it’s essential. You’re not alone, and I’m cheering you on as you carve out a path that truly supports you ❤️
Looooove this concept!
Yay! I’m so glad it landed Ana ❤️ Portfolio careers are such a beautiful way to honour your range, energy, and creativity - and there's so much freedom in following what truly fits!
All true - but we used to just call this “gig workers”
Absolutely Elizabeth, the gig economy definitely overlaps with portfolio careers in some ways. The difference here is really in the intention and design behind it - choosing a multi-stream career that aligns with your energy, values, and strengths, rather than just piecing together gigs out of necessity. But yes, it’s interesting how language evolves to reflect different layers of the same idea ❤️
I have managed to create this for myself an over the last several years without realizing what I was doing! Yay me!
I have felt like I’m perceived as a flake who just doesn’t want to get “a real job”. But I’m actually very hard working and committed to what I’m working on. It’s frustrating that most people don’t see that.
I attempted a standard full-time job last year and I feel like I’m STILL coming out of the burnout it threw me into.
I’d like to have a bit more stability in my income, but I’ll take that particular stress any day over the stress of the grind. A worthy trade off in my mind.
Great article. I really needed this validation today!
Yes - yay you indeed Christin! 👏🏼 It takes so much courage and self-trust to build a portfolio career, especially when others don’t fully understand it. You’re not alone in feeling that frustration - so many of us have been seen as “flaky” simply because we’re choosing a path that actually honours our energy. I totally get what you said about the trade-off - a bit of income uncertainty is tough, but nothing compares to the cost of burning out in environments that don’t fit. I’m so glad this article offered the validation you needed today - you’re doing something so worthwhile ❤️