Published September 03, 2025 | By Dayae Kim, LMFT, Collectors MD Referral Network

With summer coming to an end, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on how we’ve cared for ourselves—and how we can carry those grounding habits into the seasons ahead. Summer is a season of warmth and light—a natural reminder to slow down, connect deeply, and find grounding. By weaving small but meaningful activities into our daily routines, we can create space for balance, clarity, and self-therapy.

Early Morning Walks
Starting the day with a walk before work sets a peaceful tone. The cool air and stillness of the world waking up create a perfect backdrop for setting intentions. Research shows that morning sunlight can improve alertness, promote Vitamin D production, and boost serotonin levels, leaving us calmer and more focused.

Exercise For The Body & Mind
Movement is a powerful grounding tool. Whether yoga, running, or a workout, physical activity releases tension and sparks endorphins—the body’s natural stress relievers. Beyond fitness, it’s about reconnecting with yourself, easing the mind, and rebalancing energy.

Additional Grounding Activities
There are countless other ways to ground yourself while it’s still nice outside:

• Baking or Cooking

• Gardening

• Reading

• Journaling

• Art and Craft

• Puzzles

• Meditation

No matter the season, these practices offer grounding when life feels chaotic and provide connection when things feel overwhelming.

The goal isn’t to follow a rigid list, but to experiment—discover what works for you, and notice how it shifts your mood and focus.

In Collecting
Justust like in life, collecting can pull us into extremes—always chasing the next item, next purchase, next “big win”. But the same principle applies: grounding. Taking time to sort, organize, or simply sit with what you already own can be just as therapeutic as buying something new. It shifts the focus from what’s next to what’s here, turning your hobby from a source of stress into a source of calm.

Grounding yourself—whether through daily habits or mindful collecting—takes intention. Wherever you are in your journey, give yourself permission to slow down, reconnect, and carry balance forward.

If you or someone you know is looking to start therapy or a new therapist, feel free to schedule a consultation with me.

#CollectorsMD
Just like the seasons shift, our routines—and our collecting—can shift too. Grounding reminds us to move with intention, not impulse.

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Published July 12, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

When we step back from buying, selling, trading, or even browsing, we sometimes feel a strange emptiness. Like we’ve lost a familiar rhythm—and we’re suddenly unsure of who we are without it.

That’s because collecting, for many of us, isn’t just a hobby—it’s a foundation. It structures our routines, shapes our relationships, and becomes part of our identity. It’s where we go when we want connection, control, comfort, or excitement. So when we hit pause—voluntarily or not—it can stir up questions we don’t always want to face:

“Who am I without this?”
“What fills the space when my hobby goes quiet?”
“Do I even like who I am when I’m not chasing the next thing?”

These aren’t signs of weakness. They’re signs of growth. Signs that something deeper is stirring beneath the surface—an invitation to reintroduce ourselves to the parts that may have been buried under the noise of the next purchase or post.

Stepping back doesn’t mean losing part of yourself. It means rediscovering the rest of you.

Take a moment to reflect:

• Think about a time you weren’t actively collecting—maybe it was a day, a week, or a longer break.

• How did you feel? What came up emotionally?

• What parts of yourself resurfaced in the quiet?

You may find that what fills the space isn’t emptiness, but opportunity. The creative part. The restful part. The thoughtful, present, relational part. The you that isn’t defined by the next transaction.

That version of you still matters. Still belongs. Still counts.

#CollectorsMD
Your hobby is part of your story—but it’s not the whole book.

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The OG set of reflections was one of my first set chases outside Galaxy. The new chrome versions look great but they aren't the original.

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