Published September 11, 2025 | By Dayae Kim, LMFT, Collectors MD Referral Network

Have you ever felt stuck in your emotions? Anxiety creeps in, your body tenses, your stomach churns, and your mind spins with dread. The fear creates its own cage—you can’t shake it, and suddenly you feel trapped inside it.

When our emotions get stuck, it’s because we haven’t found a way to release them. Completing the cycle—recognizing, processing, and letting go—is what allows us to return to balance.

Recognize What Triggered The Emotion
Pause and name the cause. Was it an unexpected expense, a tense exchange with someone close, or even something as small as a plan falling through?

Notice How It Feels In Your Body
Anxiety often shows up physically. Tightness in your chest. A knot in your stomach. Heat rising in your face. Awareness is the first step toward release.

Take Action
Engage in something that moves the emotion through your system:

• Take a few deep breaths

• Stretch or walk

• Call a friend

• Journal or cry

• Do something grounding that brings you joy

Notice The Shift
After releasing, check in with yourself. That danger you felt at first often loses its grip. You realize you’re okay—and you’ve closed the loop on the emotional cycle.

Like water returning to stillness, completing the emotional cycle helps us move past the urge to seek relief in things we know we shouldn’t during moments of weakness.

Completing this cycle reminds us that emotions aren’t permanent. They move, they change, and when we let them pass through us, we gain perspective and clarity.

And here’s where it ties into collecting: often when we’re stuck in emotion, our impulse is to chase relief—sometimes through overspending, ripping wax, or chasing the next hit. We tell ourselves the high will erase the low. But the truth is, the hobby can’t complete that cycle for us. Only we can. If we learn to release emotions directly—without turning to compulsive behavior—we protect both our mental health and our wallets.

#CollectorsMD
The emotional cycle doesn’t need to end in overspending—it can end in release, reflection, and resilience.

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

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.

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

Published August 27, 2025 | By Dayae Kim, LMFT, Collectors MD Referral Network

The fears and stress that come with major life transitions are real and valid. A common theme I see with many of my clients is the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with change.

Life transitions look different for everyone. Some of my clients are graduating from college and entering the workforce for the first time. Others are navigating a breakup or beginning a new relationship. Some are adjusting to pregnancy or the realities of life with children. While these changes can be exciting, they are often filled with anxiety, fear, and stress because of the unknown.

One of the first things I encourage clients to do is speak their fears out loud instead of silently ruminating. Naming fears can immediately reduce the power they hold. From there, we work together to identify what’s actually changing—the loss of structure, the shift in identity, or the pressure to know what comes next.

I often ask, “What kind of structure or routine would you like to create for yourself now?”

When life feels purposeless or chaotic, building even small routines can restore a sense of control and calm.

It’s important to remember, creating structure doesn’t erase anxiety altogether. It is normal to feel excited, nervous, and fearful during transitions. Instead of pushing those feelings away, I encourage clients to embrace them—and to notice when they become overwhelming.

Another common fear I see is the belief that slowing down means “losing momentum”. Ironically, that fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, I help clients acknowledge the fear and reframe it—momentum naturally has ebbs and flows. The more powerful question becomes, “What am I capable of right now?” or “What is one step I can take today?” That small mindset shift can make all the difference.

Here are some practical tips for managing life transition anxiety:

• Name your fears out loud. Reducing silent rumination can ease overwhelming thoughts.

• Identify what’s really changing. Is it your structure, identity, or sense of purpose?

• Build small routines. Simple daily habits help create grounding and stability.

• Accept all your feelings. Anxiety, excitement, and fear can coexist.

• Reframe the fear of “losing momentum”. Progress is not linear; slowing down can still be growth.

Life transitions—whether in career, relationships, or family—are challenging because they push us into the unknown. But they also hold the potential for growth, resilience, and meaning. If you’re finding yourself stuck in anxiety during a transition, know that you don’t have to navigate it alone.

In the collecting world, these same patterns often show up during hobby transitions. Maybe you’ve stopped chasing big breaks and are shifting toward intentional collecting, or maybe your finances are forcing you to rethink what and how you collect. These transitions can feel scary, like you’re “falling behind” or “losing momentum”. But just as in life, slowing down or changing direction doesn’t erase your growth—it deepens it.

Building new routines around your collecting, asking yourself what value it adds, and naming your fears openly can create grounding and clarity in the middle of uncertainty.

If you or someone you know is moving through uncertainty and want to create grounding routines and find clarity in the midst of change, then please feel free to schedule a consultation with me.

#CollectorsMD
Every transition—whether in life or in collecting—holds the chance to find new meaning if we face it with honesty and intention.

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

Published August 22, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

Recovery is not a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a slow, deliberate process that can feel painstaking.

As we discussed with Traylor Disbrow on Episode #6 of The Collector’s Compass, some people are fighting for the next five minutes, some for the day, and some for the week, some for the hour. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, every small step matters.

Those small victories, stacked brick by brick, become the foundation of long-term healing. The challenge is that many of us beat ourselves 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 drinking, drugs, gambling, overspending, or collecting, recovery looks different for each of us when control and moderation are lost. What remains consistent is the need for empathy, honesty, and connection.

This is also why our weekly peer support meetings are so important. They provide a consistent space to return to—week after week—because recovery isn’t about showing up once, it’s about building habits of connection.

Just this past week we had over 20 attendees, with several staying past the hour mark to continue the discussion. Some of the personal shares got raw and deeply emotional, reminding us all how much strength it takes to be vulnerable and how powerful it is to be witnessed without judgment.

One member put it perfectly: if he had one wish, it would be that anyone entering the hobby could be a fly on the wall in one of our meetings—not to scare people away, but to show how easily spiraling can happen without you even realizing it, and to raise awareness before more people slip.

As amazing as it is that 20 people showed up, the truth is there are still thousands, if not millions, silently struggling. That’s why it’s so important they know we’re here—whenever they’re ready, and whenever they need it.

Recovery is a lifelong commitment. The truth is, once an addict, always an addict—meaning we don’t get to graduate from recovery or outgrow the work. Even after years, or decades, of sobriety, it can be incredibly easy to fall off the wagon if we stop tending to it.

That’s why every brick matters. Without that steady foundation, recovery can become more like a fragile house of cards—something that looks solid for a while but can come crashing down in an instant. But when we keep showing up and keep stacking those bricks, we build something that can withstand the weight of life.

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

#CollectorsMD
Recovery isn’t about speed—it’s about building a foundation strong enough to hold.

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

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.

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