Last weekend, I found myself walking into a Target instead of heading to my weekly Gamblers Anonymous meeting. Something inside me—curiosity, temptation, maybe both—was pulling me back toward the hobby. I hadn’t bought a card in five months, not since a Whatnot break back in February. But there I was, standing in front of a freshly stocked shelf of 2025 Bowman Mega Boxes. I picked one up. Just one. $50 wasn’t going to ruin me, right? It’s baseball—I’ve always loved baseball cards. I could justify it. But the longer I held that box, the more my thoughts started to spiral. I wasn’t just thinking about one box. I was thinking about what would happen if I hit something big. Or worse, if I hit nothing at all. Either way, I knew the outcome would likely be the same: I’d keep going. I’d chase. I’d justify. I’d lose control. That small moment of awareness and clarity saved me. I realized I’m not ready—not yet. I still have work to do before I can engage with the hobby in a healthy, intentional way. Maybe someday I’ll buy a card again. But when I do, it needs to come from a place of peace, not compulsion. Until then, I’m choosing my recovery over a rip. If you’re struggling with the same internal tug-of-war, just know: you’re not alone in this fight. #CollectorsMD —
Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is walk away—with clarity, not shame.
Follow us on Instagram: @collectorsmd
Subscribe to our Newsletter & Support Group
Join The Conversation On Mantel
Read More Daily Reflections