Do I Have A Problem?

Do I Have A Problem?

It’s a simple question. But if you’re being honest with yourself… it might not be so easy to answer.

“Do I have a problem?” That’s the question behind the 20 self-check questions in The Collectors MD Recovery Guide.

These questions aren’t here to label you. They’re not here to diagnose you. They’re here to help you pause, reflect, and take honest, personal inventory.

Because whether you’re ripping wax daily or just easing back into the hobby, it’s worth asking: Am I collecting with intention—or compulsion?

As we always stress, the lines can blur quickly in this space. One moment you’re grabbing a card for the personal collection that means something—and the next, you’re spiraling through live breaks, just chasing the next hit. What starts as joy can morph into justification and delusion.

That’s why we created these twenty questions. To provide yourself with a gut check—not to shame you, but to help you stay grounded.

The Twenty Questions (From The Collectors MD Recovery Guide)
Adapted from Gamblers Anonymous and tailored for compulsive spending and collecting:

  1. Do you hide how much you spend?
  2. Do you overspend often?
  3. Have you sold things to fund your hobby?
  4. Have you lied about purchases?
  5. Do you check apps constantly?
  6. Have you missed work or plans due to collecting?
  7. Do you get anxious when not buying?
  8. Have you gone into debt over your hobby?
  9. Have you broken promises to stop?
  10. Do you justify everything as “investments”?
  11. Do you feel a high when buying—and regret after?
  12. Do you avoid looking at your finances?
  13. Do you compare your collection to others?
  14. Do you spend to cope with emotions?
  15. Have you set limits and broken them?
  16. Do you buy things you don’t actually want?
  17. Has your behavior strained your relationships or health?
  18. Does your hobby feel like pressure instead of joy?
  19. Have you felt out of control?
  20. Do you worry you have a problem?

If you’ve answered yes to at least one of these questions, you’re in the right place. You’re not alone. We’re here for you.

A simple, honest starting point—twenty questions to help you reflect, reset, and reclaim your collecting with intention.

Remember:
This isn’t a pass/fail test. It’s a mirror.

Sometimes the biggest breakthrough comes not from changing our habits right away, but from simply being willing to see them clearly.

Today’s prompt:
Take a few minutes this week and answer the twenty questions for yourself. Let the answers breathe. No judgment—no major wake up call—just self awareness.

Because the healthiest collectors aren’t the ones with the best cards. They’re the ones who know WHY they collect.

#CollectorsMD
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s clarity.


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