In the heat of the chase, boundaries dissolve—adrenaline surges, limits fade, and the rip never ends. That’s when the role of local card shops and breakers becomes critical. True stewardship of the hobby isn’t about maximizing one night’s revenue—it’s about protecting collectors when they can’t protect themselves.

At Collectors MD, we believe the future of the hobby depends on accountability and responsibility. Shops and breakers who intervene—who prioritize people over profit—help preserve not just wallets, but relationships, peace of mind, and the purity and joy that collecting was meant to bring.

The best way to keep collectors in the hobby isn’t by fueling burnout, but by helping them sustain a healthy, intentional journey. That’s the reform we’re fighting for every day at Collectors MD.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Published September 07, 2025 | By Meryll E, Collectors MD Supporter

From the moment my son was little, I knew he was special. I can still picture him standing at his easel when he was three years old, looking up at me with such determination and saying, “I’m working!” Even then, I could tell he would pour his whole heart into whatever he loved.

As he grew, he was smart, outgoing, and confident. He loved sports and carried himself with pride. He strived to succeed, to stand out, and to be the best at whatever he put his mind to. He went on to build a career and a life for himself, but what many people didn’t see was the private struggle he carried with him.

My son’s love for collecting started in childhood. I remember buying him Power Rangers, Beanie Babies, and Pokémon cards just to see his face light up. Later, it was about video games, sneakers, and eventually sports cards and memorabilia. But somewhere along the way, what began as a hobby filled with excitement and joy shifted into something more dangerous. The thrill of collecting slowly became a compulsion. The joy of discovery gave way to the chase, and collecting became an addiction—one that carried emotional and financial weight eerily similar to gambling.

A mother’s love might not be able to fix the struggle, but it can light the way through it.

The Turning Point

Watching him struggle was heartbreaking. I saw my confident, capable son lose himself to something so many people don’t understand. But I also saw resilience. I recognized the same spark from that little boy at the easel—only now, it was a spark to fight back and rebuild.

Over time, he found a way to turn his pain into purpose. By speaking openly about his journey, by connecting with others who shared the same struggles, and by focusing on recovery, he began to heal. And through that healing, he has been able to help others start their own paths towards redemption.

A New Identity

Today, my son is not defined by addiction. He is defined by his courage to face it—and by his determination to help others do the same. What once was the darkest chapter of his life has become a platform for awareness, education, and recovery.

A Mother’s Message

If you love someone who is struggling with compulsive collecting—or any addiction—know that your love and belief can be a lifeline. You may not be able to fix the problems for them, but you can stand beside them as they find their way forward.

To anyone battling this struggle: you are not alone. There is a way out. There are people who will understand, and who will walk alongside you.

Closing Reflection

Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s an action. It’s noticing when something is wrong, speaking up, and holding onto hope even in the darkest times. That love carried my son forward—and it can carry you, too.

#CollectorsMD
Love is the strongest support we can offer—when collecting turns into compulsion, love can be the lifeline that brings us back to light.

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Published August 20, 2025 | By Dayae Kim, LMFT, Collectors MD Referral Network

We’ve all been there. We start feeling really good about ourselves, thinking we can accomplish everything. We, understandably, set big goals—get up early, eat healthy, work out every day, maintain social engagements, excel at work, etc. And for a while, we manage to keep up with it all.

But then, life happens.

You have a tough day at work. You get into an argument with a partner, friend, or co-worker. You get sick and miss a workout. Your kids need more attention. Suddenly, it becomes harder to meet the goals you set. That feeling of “I can do it all!” fades, and suddenly you feel like a failure.

With that feeling of failure often comes the opposite extreme: nothing. You ask yourself, “What’s the point?” Negative self-talk creeps in, and you start believing you can’t accomplish anything. You fall into the trap of all-or-nothing thinking.

One of my clients has struggled with this as well. When she’s in the all-or-nothing mindset, she experiences great successes, but when life throws her a curveball, it’s hard for her to recover. She feels like a failure and blames herself instead of recognizing that not everything is within her control. Over time, she’s realized that her anxiety drives this mindset as a way to try and control everything. As she’s learned to accept that she can’t control it all, we’ve worked on ways to soften this rigid thinking.

So, how can we work through the all-or-nothing mentality?

• Raise awareness of your internal dialogue – Notice how you talk to yourself when things don’t go as planned.

• Speak to yourself with compassion – Treat yourself the way you’d treat a good friend. Be kind and understanding rather than harsh or critical.

• Set realistic and manageable goals – Start small. Instead of aiming to overhaul your entire routine, pick one achievable step, like eating one healthy meal or going for one walk a week.

• Learn self-soothing strategies – When anxiety creeps in, have calming techniques to ground yourself in the present.

• Celebrate your successes – Keep a list of what you’ve been doing well. It’s a reminder of progress when things feel overwhelming.

My client has made great strides by becoming more compassionate with herself. When she’s feeling good, she accomplishes her goals. When she doesn’t hit every mark, she’s learning to speak gently to herself and adjust her goals to meet her current needs. She also keeps an ongoing list of the positive things she’s accomplished and refers to them when she gets stuck in the all-or-nothing mentality.

In the collecting hobby, this same mindset often shows up. We tell ourselves we need to buy every release, chase every big card, or hit every card show to “do the hobby right”. And when we fall short—miss out on a card, overspend, or take a break—we feel like we’ve failed. But collecting doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. By setting realistic boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and celebrating the small wins—like picking up a card that truly brings joy instead of chasing what the internet tells us to—we create a healthier relationship with the hobby.

Softening the all-or-nothing mentality takes time and patience, but with awareness and compassion, we can all shift toward a more balanced approach—in life and in collecting.

#CollectorsMD
The hobby isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing what feels intentional and meaningful to you.

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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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Congratulations to you my friend stay safe and blessed Dave Johnson got your back