Recovery is not a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a slow, deliberate process that often feels painstaking. As we discussed with @traylordisbrow on The Collector’s Compass, some people are fighting for the next five minutes, some for the day, and some for the week. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, every small step matters.

These small victories, stacked brick by brick, become the foundation of long-term healing. The challenge is that many people beat themselves up over how slow it feels, forgetting that lasting change often takes years.

One of the most important truths is that honesty and openness are the starting points. When we keep our struggles hidden, isolation and shame take hold, and the problem grows stronger. Healing, however, happens in community. It happens when we gather in spaces where people understand what we’re going through, where judgment is set aside, and where we are reminded that we are not alone.

This is why safe spaces matter - not only in the hobby, but in every arena where addiction or compulsive behaviors exist. Whether the struggle is gambling, overspending, drinking, or collecting without control, recovery looks different for each of us. What remains the same is the need for empathy, honesty, and connection.

The road may be long and steep, but when we take it step by step and brick by brick, we begin to build something solid, something that can last.

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Published August 03, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

What does success really look like in recovery?

It’s easy to assume that progress means being “cured” or reaching some perfect version of yourself where the urges disappear and the mistakes stop. But recovery—real, lasting recovery—doesn’t look like that. Not even close.

In Episode 5 of The Collector’s Compass, therapist Dayae Kim puts it beautifully: “success in recovery is not about never slipping—it’s about being vulnerable enough to acknowledge when you do“. That moment of honesty, when someone says, “I’m still struggling, but I want to do better,” is a huge win, because it opens the door for healing.

In truth, small wins are the heart of recovery. They’re the moments that feel almost invisible to the outside world but are monumental on the inside.

The win might be something as small as choosing to not to enter a livestream.
It might be telling someone—or even just yourself, “I need help.”
It might be spending your Sunday sorting through old cards to sell the ones that no longer serve your collection—or your peace of mind.

In recovery, we start chasing a different kind of win than what we’re used to—one that’s quieter, more personal, and rooted in growth. Each letter in the word W-I-N, like each small choice, builds something greater. One small win at a time.

Each of these seemingly small decisions becomes a brick in the foundation of long-term growth. And the more bricks you lay—bit by bit, day by day—the more stable your house—or path—becomes.

When we’re in the thick of recovery, just getting through the day might even feel like a win.
Not chasing. Not spending. Not giving into temptation. Not pretending you’re okay when you’re not.
Just making it through the day without spiraling is a victory that deserves real recognition. Because those are the days when the temptation can be the loudest—and your decision to stay grounded matters most.

Recovery isn’t glamorous. It’s not linear.
But when we start to stack up small wins, we build something powerful: momentum, resilience, and self-trust.

So if today you’re showing up—even imperfectly—you’re winning.

#CollectorsMD
Recovery isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being honest, one small win at a time.

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What does success really look like in recovery?

In Episode 5 of The Collector’s Compass, therapist Dayae Kim shares that success isn’t perfection—it’s vulnerability. It’s being honest about your struggles, even if you’re still slipping.

In recovery, small wins are everything. Each win is a brick in the foundation of long-term growth.

And sometimes when you’re struggling, just making it through the day is a victory worth celebrating.

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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