The Rise of Portfolio Careers: Designing a Career That Honors Your Sensitivity

In a world that increasingly values flexibility, creativity, and diverse skill sets, portfolio careers are on the rise - and for good reason.

In my quest to find a better way of living and working as a highly sensitive person (HSP) I read a ton of books looking for clues and try to piece together some answers.

One term that kept coming up was the concept of a Portfolio Career, which I became fascinated by and eager to know more about. Emilie Wapnick shares this approach in her book, coined; How to Be Everything; the concept is also heavily discussed in Renaissance Soul by Margaret Lobenstine and it is the whole premise of the Multi-Hyphen Method by Emma Gannon.

Reflecting on my path, I realized that I had unintentionally built my own version of a portfolio career - one that gave me the freedom and flexibility I craved while also providing the financial stability and mental stimulation I needed to stay engaged and fulfilled.

In a world that increasingly values flexibility, creativity, and diverse skill sets, portfolio careers are on the rise - and for good reason.

Thanks to the internet, remote work, and a cultural shift toward more meaningful, values-driven careers, more people are breaking free from the traditional 9-to-5 and crafting work lives that align with who they are.

Yet for HSP’s, portfolio careers aren’t just a trend - they’re often the ideal way to work.

What Is a Portfolio Career?

A portfolio career is essentially a mix of different income streams and work projects that reflect your varied skills, passions, and interests. Instead of relying on one full-time job, you might blend freelance work, part-time roles, consulting, creative projects, passive income streams, and even teaching or coaching.

I like to think of it as curating a “career playlist” instead of sticking to a single song on repeat.

A portfolio career might look like:

• Freelancing in your primary skill set to other organisations (like writing, design, or marketing)

• Consulting to businesses and organisations in your area of expertise

• Teaching workshops or online courses

• Selling digital products or passive income sources

• Pursuing creative outlets that also generate income (like photography, writing, or podcasting)

• Dropping down your full time job to working 3-4 days a week, and spending the rest of the week on your creative pursuits and building your business.

• Working a few days a week in a job that pays the bills (often called a “bridge job” while you build up your other sources of income from your creative pursuits).

This way of working allows you to balance multiple interests and passions, manage your energy more effectively, and create a stable income stream - not to mention, it keeps things interesting, which is essential for HSP’s to meet our core need of mental stimulation.

Why Portfolio Careers Are Perfect for HSP’s

As highly sensitive people, we are deeply empathetic, intuitive, and creative, however traditional work environments often leave us feeling overstimulated, drained, and boxed-in, due to the rigid schedules, high stimulation environments and one-size-fits all roles.

In contrast, portfolio careers offer the kind of flexibility and autonomy that HSP’s need to thrive.

Here’s why:

1. Energy Management Is Built-In

HSPs are highly attuned to their environment, which can make rigid 9-to-5 roles exhausting, while a portfolio career allows you to structure your workday around your natural energy.

Not only does this allow you to manage your day around your natural rhythms and when you work best; you also have the freedom to choose quieter, solo projects when you need downtime and can schedule in collaborative work when you’re feeling more energized.

2. Freedom to Follow Your Curiosity and Purpose-Led Work

As HSP’s, we crave meaningful work. Settling for just a job and a pay check is not something we’re willing to compromise on. We long to make a difference, use our gifts, and want to avoid soul-sucking roles at all costs.

Portfolio careers allow you to weave purpose into your professional life - whether it’s through coaching, writing, community work, or creative expression - while also providing the financial stability you need.

3. Variety Reduces Burnout

HSPs are walking contradictions - we can become overstimulated by monotony and drudgery just as much as by chaos.

Barrie Jaeger, author of Making Work Work for the Highly Sensitive Person, explains that for HSPs, drudgery and boredom aren’t just minor inconveniences - they can be deeply distressing, even traumatic, affecting both physical and emotional well-being. What might be 'just a job' for others can feel far more overwhelming for an HSP.

Portfolio careers offer a refuge; they naturally provide variety, giving you the opportunity to switch between tasks and roles. This prevents burnout and keeps your mind engaged without overwhelming your nervous system.

4. Autonomy Equals Less Overwhelm

During my corporate days, nothing drained me more than having my time micromanaged, navigating office politics, and enduring the constant noise of open-plan offices. For HSPs, being exposed to this level of overstimulation daily is one of the biggest contributors to burnout.

Portfolio careers allow for greater control over your schedule, environment, and client choices. It’s a softer, more energetically supportive way to work that aligns with our natural rhythms.

Real-World Examples of HSP’s Thriving with Portfolio Careers

I’m always inspired by other HSP’s and how they have carved out careers in ways that work for them, so I wanted to share some real-life examples of some amazing people who are quietly thriving on their own terms.

Hopefully this provides you with some ideas and inspiration of what is possible at this time of change in our history, thanks to the internet and the possibilities this has created.

Phoebe Hart, Yoga Teacher, Somatic Practitioner and Sales and Marketing Manager for a Wellness Studio.

Phoebe works four days a week as the sales and marketing manager for wellness space and splits the rest of her time teaching yoga, somatic practice and running retreats.

This balance gives Phoebe financial stability and offers the quiet, creative time she craves, while also fulfilling her desire to help others and move her body. This flexibility allows her to schedule any collaborations around her energy levels, only offering retreats when she has the capacity to do so.

Nat Sgambelluri, Hypnotherapist, Somatic Practitioner and Physiotherapist

Nat formally trained as a physiotherapist undergoing years of training at university. Once she landed her first job in a busy hospital, the reality of what she signed up for hit home and it wasn’t long before burnout set in. Over the past few years, Nat has been intentionally redesigning her career to work for her as well as following her passion for holistic mind-body healing and has formally completed training as a clinical hypnotherapist and somatic practitioner.

To provide financial stability while building her business, Nat works a couple days a week in a contract capacity in physiotherapy, while also working in a local retail shop, leaving her space to pursue her deeply fulfilling work in holistic healing. This flexibility gives her the freedom to run local events and workshops, which are helping to grow her practice at a gentle pace without feeling overwhelmed.

Listen to Nat’s full story in this podcast episode.

Pauline Morrissey, Freelance Writer; Columnist and Travel Content Creator

Combining her passion for writing, interiors and travel, Pauline has carved out a lucrative portfolio career that provides her the freedom and flexibility to pursue her passion for travel, while offering the financial stability of freelance writing and her regular writing column at Domain.

This structure allows Pauline to balance financial stability, with space for her to manage her energy, and the mix of quiet, focused work, without feeling overwhelmed. Pauline has been able to create a lifestyle that’s both profitable and deeply fulfilling.

Creating Your Own Portfolio Career as an HSP

Does the idea of a portfolio career spark excitement (and maybe a little relief)?

Here are some simple steps to get started:

1. Identify Your Core Skills and Passions
   What are you naturally good at? What do you love doing? Think about how these could translate into income streams - whether it’s freelancing, consulting, creating products, or teaching.

2. Start Small and Build Gradually
   You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow, in fact I recommend you don’t! The best way to start is by experimenting with a side hustle while you have your job as a safety net. As you grow your business and confidence, you can begin to transition gradually. This allows you to test different income streams without any pressure.

3. Prioritize Energy Over Hustle
   The beauty of a portfolio career is that you can craft it around your energy needs. Don’t fall into the trap of simply creating multiple full-time jobs. Intentionally choose projects that align with your values and leave space for rest.

4. Lean Into Your Strengths as an HSP
   Your sensitivity is your superpower. HSPs are deeply empathetic, creative thinkers, and natural healers or teachers. Consider how you can lean into these and build your portfolio career around your natural gifts.

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The Future Is Flexible - And It’s Made for You

The rise of portfolio careers reflects a broader shift toward human-centered work models that prioritise well-being, individual needs, and natural working styles - rather than forcing people to conform to rigid, outdated structures.

As we move further into the digital and AI age, this shift will only become more pronounced.

For HSP’s, this represents a golden opportunity to design a career that’s not just financially sustainable but also emotionally and energetically aligned.

You no longer have to choose between security and freedom. With a well-crafted portfolio career, you can have both - on your terms.

I’d love to know - what does your ideal portfolio career look like?

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I’d love to invite you to join the waitlist for my mentoring program, where I’ll help you reimagine your career and take actionable steps toward building work that feels aligned, fulfilling, and sustainable.