compartmentalizing
Keeping things separate
Compartmentalizing is keeping different areas of life, thought, or emotion separate from one another.
The term comes from compartments—distinct sections that don't mix.
Someone compartmentalizes work and family by refusing to let problems in one affect the other.
The word often describes a psychological defense: He compartmentalized the trauma so he could function at work.
It can be healthy boundary-setting or unhealthy avoidance, depending on context.
Assigning to groups
- sortingArranging into sequence
- classifyingSorting into types
- groupingArrangement by shared traits
- structuringImposing systematic order
systematizing · arranging · ordering · prioritizing · segmenting · dividing · allocating · coordinating
Managing under strain
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- defenseProtection against harm
- boundariesLines marking separation
emotions · trauma · denial · dissociation · avoidance · detachment · distancing · self-protection
Setting apart from contact
- segregatingSeparating by category
- disconnectingBreaking an established link
- detachingUnfastening from attachment
- decouplingRemoval of interdependence
siloing · quarantining · insulating · sequestering · cordoning · buffering · sectioning · bracketing
categorizing
Assigning to groups
- sortingArranging into sequence
- classifyingSorting into types
- groupingArrangement by shared traits
structuring · systematizing · arranging · ordering · prioritizing · segmenting · dividing · allocating · coordinating · scheduling
coping
Managing under strain
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- defenseProtection against harm
boundaries · emotions · trauma · denial · dissociation · avoidance · detachment · distancing · self-protection · therapy
isolating
Setting apart from contact
- segregatingSeparating by category
- disconnectingBreaking an established link
- detachingUnfastening from attachment
decoupling · siloing · quarantining · insulating · sequestering · cordoning · buffering · sectioning · bracketing · ring-fencing
drawers
Sliding furniture compartments
- binsReceptacles for storage
- boxesSix-sided containers
- containersObjects for holding things
cabinets · shelves · folders · dividers · lockers · trays · racks · pouches · pockets · cubbies
- emotional maskingmasking, suppression, repression, hiding, bottling up
- packing behaviorsoverpacking, underpacking, folding clothes, compression bags, carry-on only
- organizingorganizing, categorizing, grouping, structuring, classifying
- avoidanceavoidance, distancing, evasion, dodging, pulling away
- packing verbspacking, loading, stuffing, cramming, squeezing
- coping skillscoping skills, coping strategies, coping mechanisms, emotional regulation, self-control
compartmentalizingintegrating
Combining into a whole
synthesizing · unifying · merging · consolidating · combining
compartmentalizingconfronting
Addressing directly
ruminating · processing · working through · facing · acknowledging
partner, depart, partition, impart, compartment, particle, compartments, compartmentalize, departmentally