Published October 20, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

For some, recovery means learning to collect with a refined mindset—one rooted in intention, balance, and responsibility. For others, it means walking away entirely—and that choice deserves just as much respect—maybe even more.

There are collectors who’ve realized that no matter how much work they do, no matter how many guardrails they set, the pull of the chase will always outweigh their ability to stay in control. The high is too high, the come-down too heavy. For them, the only real freedom comes from complete abstinence—a lifetime form of self-exclusion from the spaces, apps, and behaviors that once consumed them.

That decision doesn’t come from weakness—it comes from wisdom and self-discipline. It’s the recognition that some fires can’t be managed safely, no matter how small you try to keep them. Walking away isn’t quitting the hobby; it’s choosing peace over proximity. It’s saying, “I value my life more than my collection”.

Abstinence is not a failure of willpower. It’s an act of strength, awareness, and radical acceptance. It’s reclaiming your time, your clarity, your relationships, and your sense of self from something that kept taking more than it gave.

Sometimes strength isn’t found in holding on, but in having the courage to walk away and reclaim the life collecting once overshadowed.

Abstinence is also one of the most misunderstood paths in recovery. People often assume that walking away means turning your back on community or abandoning what you love. But in reality, it’s about creating a life that no longer revolves around constant temptation. It’s like someone in recovery from alcohol choosing not to hang out at the bar or with other people that still drink in moderation—not because they hate everyone there or anyone who still drinks, but because they know how easy it can be to fall back into old patterns.

For some, abstinence brings the first real breath of peace they’ve felt in years. No more unopened mailers, no more late-night doom scrolling, no more guilt or shame over spending, no more lying or hiding from loved ones. Just stillness. And in that stillness, they rediscover who they are without the chase.

We’ve discussed at great length the two lanes of recovery: abstinence or intention. Both are valid, both take courage. But abstinence requires a special kind of honesty—the kind that admits, “I can’t moderate this anymore. And that’s okay”. It’s not a punishment. It’s permission to live free of the burden collecting once carried.

And for those who are still collecting with intention within our community—it’s important to remember that recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone. In our group chat, Discord, and weekly meetings, conversations about cards or collectibles, even when they come from a healthy and intentional place, can still be triggering for those who’ve chosen complete abstinence. We have to stay mindful and sensitive to that—approaching every discussion with empathy and respect for the boundaries others have set to protect their peace.

At Collectors MD, we honor every lane of recovery. If your healing looks like stepping away for good, we don’t see loss—we see liberation.

#CollectorsMD
Sometimes the healthiest collection is the one you’ve learned to live without.

—
Follow us on Instagram: @collectorsmd
Subscribe to our Newsletter & Support Group
Join The Conversation On Mantel
Read More Daily Reflections