Over the years, I’ve binged—on food, on alcohol, on anything that could numb the stress, the anger, or the depression. Even powerlifting, which started as something healthy, eventually turned into a toxic outlet. I needed control. I needed relief. Between 2017 and 2019, I sold off large parts of my sports card collection. I was done with the hobby and had moved on. But when the sports card boom hit during the pandemic, it sent me into a deep depression. Cards I had sold for $70 were now going for $1,500. I couldn’t grasp it. Couldn’t shake it. So I dipped back in—this time through Pokémon. Then, back to sports cards. I followed the trends, watched the markets, and eventually started ripping again. A few packs here, a few packs there. I even reconnected with a breaker I had known before all of this became super popular—someone I still trust to this day. But I was a small player. Not hitting big. Not spending much—at least at first. Then came the repacks. The mystery bags. The Wildcard and Leaf boxes. They were cheap, sure. But the hits were almost always disappointing. Even the “real” hits didn’t amount to much. The truth is, I don’t blame the breakers. Most of them were honest. The problem was me. I couldn’t always control myself during a binge. And unlike food or alcohol—where the consequences to your body are obvious—this kind of damage felt invisible. It only hurt my wallet. Or so I thought. Because my mental health was suffering too. Quietly. Consistently. Since joining Collectors MD peer support meetings, things have gotten better. I’m not perfect—but I’m better. Talking to people who actually get it, who understand what’s going on in my head, has helped me pause. Think. Reflect. I no longer jump into live streams just to scratch an itch. I still use the Whatnot platform to sell—but I’ve turned off my push notifications. And that one small change has made a big difference. If I go on now, it’s with intention. With purpose. I quit this hobby once before. I know I can find a way to curb it again—but this time, I’m not doing it alone. With help and support, it’s happening much faster. Much smoother. Much more sustainably. #CollectorsMD —
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t quitting—it’s facing what pulled you back in.
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