Python virtual envoriment management

[gjy0724]

I seem to be on a roll lately, first zig, now python. I've been doing python development for work for several years now and I have been using pipenv to manage my virtual environments. However recently it along with some of its dependencies have been masked and set for removal very shortly. After reading the reasoning behind the move I understand why its being done, but now I have a dilemma. I would prefer to stick with pipenv because I don't want to break the current workflow I have and I like how it separates development vs production packages. but I also don't want to break my system. I tried to use pip to install it for my user but got this message.

$ pip install --user pipenv
error: externally-managed-environment

× This environment is externally managed
╰─>
The system-wide Python installation in Gentoo should be maintained
using the system package manager (e.g. emerge).

If the package in question is not packaged for Gentoo, please
consider installing it inside a virtual environment, e.g.:

python -m venv /path/to/venv
. /path/to/venv/bin/activate
pip install mypackage

To exit the virtual environment, run:

deactivate

The virtual environment is not deleted, and can be re-entered by
re-sourcing the activate file.

note: If you believe this is a mistake, please contact your Python installation or OS distribution provider. You can override this, at the risk of breaking your Python installation or OS, by passing --break-system-packages.
hint: See PEP 668 for the detailed specification.

The irony here of course is that its "essentially" telling me to install a virtual environment manager in a virtual environment. Which would mean that I would end up with separate project virtual environments in an umbrella virtual environment. Make that make sense.

Any help would definitely be appreciated.