Published October 13, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

At Collectors MD, we talk a lot about clarity—because sometimes, the hobby’s biggest mess isn’t what’s on our shelves or in our binders—it’s what’s in our heads. From unopened boxes to mental noise and emotional baggage, it’s critical to recognize that “clutter” can take many forms.

Clutter can be the endless stacks of cards we swear we’ll organize “one day”. It can be the browser tabs we keep open with listings we’ll probably never buy. It can be the guilt that comes from spending too much, or the regret from selling too soon. Over time, that clutter—physical, mental, and emotional—starts to pile up, and suddenly, what used to bring peace now brings pressure.

Sometimes the physical clutter we see mirrors the mental and emotional clutter we feel. It’s not just the piles upon piles of physical items—it’s the noise that fills our minds and hearts when the hobby starts to spill into every corner of our lives.

Physical clutter might look like the binders, bins, and boxes that have quietly taken over our space—collections that once sparked joy but now collect dust. But not everything that takes up space is clutter; sometimes flipping through an old set or binder can be the joy. The key is knowing what still lights you up versus what weighs you down.

Mental clutter shows up in more invisible ways—the racing thoughts, the constant urges, or the decision fatigue that keep your mind spinning. It’s the inability to rest because the next product drop, auction, or deal is always looming in your thoughts. Even when you swear you’re slowing down, that pull to chase just one more finds its way back in.

And then there’s emotional clutter—the heaviness we carry long after the cards are put away. It’s the guilt that creeps in after another impulsive purchase, the shame that whispers when spending starts to outweigh satisfaction, or the regret that surfaces when a fleeting high gives way to emptiness. Emotional clutter is what lingers in the silence after the rip—the uneasy feeling that maybe we weren’t chasing the card, but the rush itself. It’s the stories we tell ourselves to justify it, the comparisons that feed our insecurity, and the weight of disappointment when reality doesn’t match the fantasy we built in our heads. Left unchecked, it becomes the quiet static beneath everything we do in the hobby—subtle, persistent, and exhausting.

When all three types of clutter begin to stack up, the hobby stops feeling like an escape—and starts feeling like just another layer of chaos.

In Episode #12 of The Collector’s Compass, we sat down with Chris MacRae, founder of The Smarter Collector, to unpack what it really means to declutter your collection—and your mind. Chris reminds us that the goal isn’t minimalism for its own sake, but alignment.

Decluttering doesn’t necessarily mean getting rid of everything—it means getting intentional about what truly deserves to stay. When you strip away the excess—whether it’s inventory you no longer care about, the fatigue of chasing every new release, or the shame tied to impulsive purchasing decisions—you create room for presence.

Clearing the clutter is a form of recovery. It’s choosing to release the noise and the chaos so that real meaning can find its way back. It’s not about erasing every past decision—it’s about understanding them, integrating them, and then moving forward lighter, cleaner, and more connected to your why.

When the hobby stops feeling like total chaos, it starts feeling like connection again.

Catch the full conversation in Episode #12 of The Collector’s Compass—now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and all major platforms.

#CollectorsMD
When we clear the clutter, we make space for clarity—and rediscover the joy that got us collecting in the first place.

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

At Collectors MD, we talk a lot about clarity—because sometimes, the hobby’s biggest mess isn’t what’s on our shelves, it’s what’s in our heads. From unopened boxes to mental noise and emotional baggage, clutter takes many forms.

In Episode #12 of The Collector’s Compass, we sat down with Chris MacRae, founder of @thesmartercollector, to unpack what it really means to declutter your collection—and your mind. Chris reminds us that the goal isn’t minimalism for its own sake, but alignment. When you strip away the excess—whether it’s physical inventory, mental fatigue, or emotional guilt—you make space for what truly brings joy and meaning back into collecting.

Because when the hobby stops feeling like chaos, it starts feeling like connection again.

Catch the full conversation in Episode #12 of The Collector's Compass—now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and all major platforms.

Collect With Clarity. Not Chaos.

#CollectorsMD | #TheSmarterCollector | #RipResponsibly

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPtvxMwkbB1/

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we sit down with Chris MacRae—CPA, strategic finance pro, and founder of The Smarter Collector.

Chris is building a platform that helps collectors move from impulse to intention—tracking collections, organizing projects, and making better decisions without spreadsheets. From the Collection Sandbox (tiering/keep-vs-available) to a Wantlist with live eBay feed and a consignment fee calculator, Chris pairs thoughtful design with a philosophy that treats the hobby as a path to self-discovery, not just accumulation.

Chris provides perspective on:

-Designing for how collectors actually collect—projects, curation, and decision making.

-Shortening the 2–4 year learning curve from FOMO to intentional collecting.

-Why structure reduces burnout and keeps joy at the center of the hobby.

-The role of tools + education alongside community and mental wellness.

-Potential CMD × TSC integrations: in-app nudges, resources, and responsible prompts.

Whether you’re logging your first PC or optimizing a long-time collection, this episode explores how smarter frameworks—and a healthier mindset—can help you collect with purpose and peace of mind.

Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:
Website: collectorsmd.com
Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd
Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX
Contact: info@collectorsmd.com
YouTube: @collectorsmd
Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow & Learn More About The Smarter Collector:

Website: https://thesmartercollector.com

App: https://app.thesmartercollector.com

Instagram: @thesmartercollector

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jetP2Ut85jw&t=4537s

My desk is ever so slightly less messy now with this awesome soft sleeve and toploader holder. Thanks @OkCPhilPie - please no judgment on the remaining mess haha.