How to Thrive as a Multi-Hyphenate Creative
I’ve been juggling multiple creative pursuits for over a decade now—writer, photographer, podcaster, and occasional graphic designer—and let me tell you, it’s not the tidy, linear path most people imagine when they think of a “successful career.”
Back in my early days, I felt like a fraud. I’d bounce from freelance writing gigs to shooting photos for brands, then dip into launching a miniature online course on creativity, all while wondering if I was just too scattered to ever make it big.
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Friends would say, “Pick one thing and master it,” echoing that old “jack of all trades, master of none” warning. But here’s the truth I’ve learned the hard way: being a multi-hyphenate creative isn’t a flaw—it’s often the edge that keeps you innovative, resilient, and honestly, sane in a world that demands constant adaptation.
If you’re a multipassionate person with interests pulling you in different directions—maybe you’re a designer who also loves writing, or an actor dipping into producing and coaching—thriving means leaning into that diversity instead of fighting it.
Over the years, I’ve made plenty of mistakes, like spreading myself so thin that nothing felt finished, or chasing trends that didn’t light me up. But I’ve also had breakthroughs that turned my slash career into something sustainable and fulfilling. Here’s what actually works, drawn from real-life trial and error.
Embrace Your Portfolio Career Mindset
One of the biggest shifts for me was stopping the apology tour. Early on, I’d downplay my varied skills in pitches, worried clients wanted a “pure” specialist.
But in reality, building a portfolio career—multiple income streams from complementary passions—has been my lifeline. For instance, when photography bookings slowed during a tough economic patch a few years back, my writing side hustle kept the lights on, and vice versa.
The key is finding synergies. My photography informs my visual storytelling in writing, and podcasting sharpens my interviewing skills for brand consultations.
Don’t force unrelated hyphens; look for where your passions overlap to create unique value. I once combined my love for travel photography with writing to land an ongoing gig creating content for a tourism brand—that wouldn’t have happened if I’d siloed myself as “just a photographer.”
Mistake to avoid: Saying yes to everything. I burned out hard in year five by taking on mismatched projects just for cash. Now, I ask: Does this excite me and play to at least two of my strengths? If not, it’s a pass.
Manage Energy, Not Just Time
Multi-hyphenates often hear “time management” advice, but for multipassionate creatives, it’s energy that matters more. I used to cram everything into rigid schedules, ending up exhausted and resentful.
Then I experimented with seasonal focus: dedicating quarters to one big hyphen while maintaining the others on low simmer. For example, last winter was all about deepening my podcast—interviewing guests, refining production—while keeping writing on autopilot with syndicated articles.
Come spring, I shifted to photography projects. This cyclical approach lets each passion breathe without guilt. It’s not about doing it all at once; it’s about giving each its moment to shine.
Practical tip from experience: Track what energizes vs. drains you. I journal weekly about which activities leave me buzzing. Over time, patterns emerge, helping you prioritize.
And boundaries are non-negotiable—I’ve learned to block “deep work” days for creation and admin days for the business side.
Build a Cohesive Personal Brand
Explaining what you do at networking events can feel awkward as a multi-hyphenate. “So, what do you do?” used to stump me. Now, I lead with a unifying thread: “I help brands tell visual stories through photography, writing, and audio.”
It ties my hyphens together without listing them all. Your brand doesn’t need to be one niche; it needs to feel authentic and connected. Share your process across platforms—behind the scenes on Instagram, showing how a photo shoot inspires a blog post.
Clients love the cross-pollination; it makes you memorable. Big lesson from a flop: I once tried separate websites for each pursuit. Traffic split, branding confused everyone (including me), and maintenance was a nightmare.
Consolidate where it makes sense—one site with sections for your different offerings works wonders.
Network Intentionally and Diversify Income
Isolation is a real risk when you’re wearing all the hats. I wasted years going it alone until I started seeking out other multi-hyphenate creatives. Communities like online forums or local meetups for multipassionates have become goldmines for collaboration ideas and moral support.
On income: Don’t rely on one stream. My mix—client work (60%), passive products like stock photos and digital downloads (20%), and teaching workshops (20%)—weathered dry spells better than any single-focus phase.
Start small: Turn expertise from one hyphen into a side offering, as I did with photography workshops born from client questions.
Human nuance here: Imposter syndrome hits hard when comparing to specialists. I’ve had moments of doubt, especially seeing peers “blow up” in one area. But remember, your range makes you antifragile—able to pivot when industries shift.
Avoid Burnout and Celebrate the Wins
Thriving as a multi-hyphenate creative means accepting the messiness. There will be unfinished projects (guilty), pivots that feel like failures (had those too), and days when you question it all.
But the rewards—freedom, variety, constant growth—outweigh it. My biggest win? Realizing this isn’t “scattered“; it’s rich. I’ve built a life where boredom is rare, skills compound across pursuits, and opportunities come from unexpected connections.
If you’re navigating this slashie life, know you’re not alone. Experiment boldly, forgive the missteps, and keep connecting the dots between your passions.
That’s how multi-hyphenates don’t just survive—we create careers that feel truly alive.
