Published August 07, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

When you’ve seen the worst of what the world has to offer—people exploiting others under the guise of helping—it’s hard to trust anyone again. Especially when you’ve worked in systems that were supposed to heal but were, in reality, built on manipulation, greed, and even abuse. That kind of experience changes you. It makes you skeptical, cautious, sharp-eyed. And rightfully so.

But here’s the challenge: how do we stay vigilant without becoming jaded? How do we ask hard questions without tearing down what might actually be sincere? How do we protect the vulnerable without assuming everyone else is a predator?

These are real questions I’ve been sitting with. There’s no perfect answer.

It’s easy to assume someone has an angle—or an agenda—especially when you’ve seen so many who did. And in this hobby, where influence and money often overshadow integrity, skepticism is a survival skill. But not everyone is here to take. Some of us are here because we were taken—and we want to stop the cycle.

You can be critical and still compassionate. You can question someone’s structure while also honoring their intentions. You can point out problems without immediately assuming the worst.

And yes, you can help people without exploiting them—while still needing to feed yourself, protect your family, and build something sustainable.

True support is built on honesty, transparency, and mutual respect. So let’s keep asking hard questions—but let’s also stay open to the possibility that someone out there might actually be genuinely trying to do things a bit differently—and even perhaps a bit better.

#CollectorsMD
Suspicion keeps us safe. But connection moves us forward.

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