How Much is Too Much? Let's Talk About Saturation

Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer emotional and logistical weight of polyamory? You’re not alone. In this episode of Poly Pathways, Kat and Doc dive deep into the concept of saturation—that moment when you realize you’re stretched too thin across relationships, responsibilities, and personal well-being. They explore the warning signs of saturation, from exhaustion and disconnection to resentment and burnout, and share their own experiences of navigating this crucial aspect of polyamorous life. If you’ve ever struggled with balancing love, logistics, and self-care, this conversation is for you.

But identifying saturation is only half the battle—what do you do once you’re there? Kat and Doc break down strategies for managing saturation with existing partners, setting realistic expectations with new connections, and ensuring that you’re maintaining quality over quantity in your relationships. From check-in strategies and boundary setting to the importance of prioritizing friendships and self-care, they offer actionable advice for keeping your relationships fulfilling and sustainable. And yes, they remind us that even polyamorous folks need alone time—because you can’t pour from an empty cup.

This episode is packed with insights on communicating your limits, creating a supportive environment for communication, recognizing when external pressures (work, family, mental health) affect your capacity, and building a polyamorous lifestyle that works for you. Plus, they touch on the underrated value of friendships, the pitfalls of overpromising to new partners, and how to embrace the natural ebb and flow of emotional bandwidth. If you’re juggling multiple partners, a career, and a busy life, you won’t want to miss this episode. Tune in, take notes, and give yourself permission to pause, reassess, and set boundaries where needed.

About Poly Pathways Podcast

• Hosts: Kat and Doc
• Website: polypathwayspodcast.transistor.fm
• YouTube: @polypathwayspodcast
• Instagram: @polypathwayspodcast
• TikTok: @polypathwayspodcast

Resources (affiliate links)

• Magic AI – Virtual assistance service to help with daily life (Referral link in the show notes)

• Annie Undone 

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• (00:00) - Welcome & Introduction
• (01:30) - Saturation
• (25:06) - Creating Communication Around Saturation
• (49:27) - Self Care and Support in Saturation