I echo this, gonna slow down a bit the fatigue is setting in even as I collect modern too. PSA going super slow, astronomical prices, modern product being scalped have all contributed.
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I made a video going into detail on this exact topic since I have experienced the same problem. For you personally it seems you maybe just need a break and/or a new hobby.
I already posted this video in a very similar thread so sorry in advance for posting it a 2nd time.
I time stamped the video at the time I feel is most relevant and helpful to OP. 
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I’ve been taking a long break from Pokémon and I’ve been shocked at the recent increase in prices. I thought that, with the pandemic, prices would have decreased… I was so wrong. I’ve only spent like 2 months or so in Pokemon since I came back, and I’m already feeling pretty burnt out.
I guess that focusing on money and value takes all the fun away from the hobby… But it’s so difficult not to pay attention to prices and value when you see that cards that went for 50$ a year ago are now at 500$… It seems crazy to me.
I’ll try to adapt my goals and be EXTRA focused on just a few items (there are SOOOO MANY new cards that I like).
But once I complete the goals I had… I’ll have to seriously consider whether or not I want to keep collecting. Or maybe I’ll have to accept that I’ll only buy one or two cards per year. Otherwise, I can’t see how I can keep up with the hobby the way it is right now 
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Loved the “hidden Pikachu” concept!
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@alicia , Thank you 
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I got really into the hobby from 2013-2015 and took a two year break. I started to feel burnt out like you did. I can say that I was obsessively checking eBay to the point where I recognized it was a problem. It was really difficult to disconnect from those habits but once I did I felt a sense of relief. I hope you can find a balance to collecting and everything else in your life
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This turned out to be a bit of an essay…
I think you’re definitely not alone in feeling too consumed by the hobby at this time. There are a lot of psychological factors that all come together in 2020 to fuel this compulsive behaviour and it can be difficult to escape them.
- Alternative hobbies are limited due to the pandemic
- Social options are limited due to the pandemic, pushing people to spend more time with online social options with those with shared interests (more time talking Pokemon)
- Prices are going stratospheric and FOMO goes with it encouraging you to worry and spend far too much time scouring eBay
- Social media is bigger than ever and people who have a vested business interest in pushing point number 3 keep drilling it into your head
If you’re feeling like you’re becoming too obsessed I think the best thing to do is work out which of these factors are bothering you most and try to address them, they’re different for everyone. If you’re a new collector you’re likely much more bothered by 3 than someone who’s been here for 10 years. If you have smaller RL social group, maybe you’re more effected by 2.
I recognised that I was becoming obsessed due to 3 and 4, those were negatives to my enjoyment of the hobby. Whereas 2 is actually a positive for me, I enjoy spending time chatting to people on the new Facebook groups I’ve joined.
To deal with 3, I bought my realistic grail, this stopped me worrying about FOMO, the potential of a huge retrace and me losing $1000 is worth not having the stress of worrying and constantly looking.
I now have a set monthly budget (that keeps the hobby purely as a hobby rather than an investment opportunity, I’m happy to lose all this money) and a limited collection goals. I have saved eBay searches for a couple of main items that will notify me when they pop up so I’m not spending time looking myself, and once every few days I’ll do a bit of a deeper eBay dive. When I hit my budget, I stop looking for the month.
To deal with 4, I realised these people weren’t enriching my life at all, and that I was now knowledgeable enough in the hobby to make my own decisions. I purged pretty much all Pokemon content creators except TCA Gaming who A) loves the hobby, B) puts his money where his mouth is and talks through his purchases, C) is completely unemotional and neutral about finances and doesn’t share his opinion either which way about the future of the hobby, and D) doesn’t scream like a child.
TLDR; Identify which part of the hobby is bugging you and try to fix it. Hope this helped
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It’s easy to deep dive when your into it. Then down the road when initial interest wears off your left in an ocean of information and exposure if you want it or not. Best thing I do is keep tings separate. I have a separate IG for pokemon and on my personal I don’t follow anyone in Pokémon, unless its their own personal acct. with no pokemon content. On youtube I do the same. I have pokemon videos of my own, and on that account sub to only pokemon. It’s nice to be able to flip back and fourth depending on the mood, it’s healthier. I can’t speak much for FB, as im not on there much at all.
Also, dedicating social time outside of hobbies is equally important as your passion within it.
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Yeah, I’ve always had this kind of cycle. It would usually last about 3 months back in the day. Maybe 3 months on, 3-6 months off depending on the money cycle. Currently going strong at 9 months on and starting to get the fatigue.
However, it’s becoming easier as I tighten the belt on what I’m willing to purchase. Mostly in regards to condition (I don’t buy graded cards, only ones to grade) Before I was just looking for anything. Maybe that’s something you can do. Doing this feels like a natural way of losing that FOMO.
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Thanks for your service brother, I’m actually active duty and in the field right now still thinking about Pokemon haha… But to keep myself busy with other hobbies when it’s not Pokemon I like to go hang out on the beach (stationed in Louisiana.. drive down to Galveston and decompress) I also hang out with friends and family from my church spending time building relationships with people… Just by doing that I have unintentionally brought others into the hobby haha, also working out 
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I would say that while I don’t feel burnt out of the card market, I do recognize that the hype has decreased a tad and high prices aren’t as surprising as they were just 2 weeks ago. With that in mind however, I do feel myself decreasing the amount of time I spend looking at some cards because of my funds being lower from buying cards. So I’m really focusing on being intentional with my purchases and that takes slow and steady homework.
But as others have echoed, it may be time not necessarily to “take a break” but to reduce your consumption of certain media. I almost don’t watch any poke tubers anymore except Scott and that’s the same with sports cards too. I feel like once you have the tools to be decently educated on certain things, it starts to become a bit irrelevant. One thing that’s been fun for me is watching Sneaker youtubers recently which I have been doing consistently for the past I would say 5 years or so. But reducing the expectations of “always being on” and just spending more time doing things that fills you up is very important and is highly personal. may take some time to figure out what those are, but we appreciate having you here and I thank you for your service.
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Hey I wanted to thank everyone who’s given their thoughts and opinions so far. Means a lot, really does.
I’ve read EVERY SINGLE POST so far. Some good stuff going on in here. Lovin’ it!!!
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Great vid sacari! That fire spinning trick is pretty dope my friend. Thanks for sharing.
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I have gone through this recently, too. I have just taken a step back and enjoy my cards that I have, occasionally browsing and ordering very small things from eBay. I think it is just a bunch of different things coming together to make this year really difficult, so like everyone else said, you’re not alone.
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Sorry you were involved with a fake box. That is definitely a low point of people tainting this hobby
What helps me the most is stepping back and forgetting about the money. I recently made a purchase (yesterday actually), where I knew it was intentionally NOT investing in pokemon, but solely ENJOYING pokemon. They are called Pokeminis… they are 1/3 scale 1st edition pokemon card blister packs that have the same artwork and have 7 mini cards including a holo in each pack. Opening those packs and getting that excitement and anticipation of maybe seeing a giant toad or turtle or lizard jump out at me!! Heck. I think i’ll make a tiny binder to put them in!
Any amount of OCD (which I am sure most of us have to an extent), paired with our monetary dependent society can drag us away from the joy of something we grew up loving without the pressure of money.
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I spend majority of my time and money on Pokémon but you know, it’s good to diversify into other hobbies.
Maybe picking up some sort of team orientated sport or hobby would help? For some people who don’t have much of a social life this does help quite a lot!
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What the heck…just package and send me all your cards for me to keep. Maybe just knowing that you gave your cards a nice new home would make you feel good…then I’ll sell them and tell you how much money I’m making on the cards you worked so hard to get, maybe then you’ll know how lucky you are now by having any kind of collection.
Please don’t take it wrong, I’m being a little sarcastic and adding a little humor.
ENJOY YOUR CARDS!!?
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For me personally, there gets times where I feel I’ve spent far too much recently and need to step back for a few months. Helps clear your mind and bring you at ease to not be constantly checking ebay and not thinking about cards in general. Then when I’m ready I get back into it.
I think plenty of people in the hobby take a break for a few months if not more. It keeps the hobby more enjoyable for you and your life more enjoyable.
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I agree with this.
I have played a certain online game for 10 years and I reached a point where I just stopped logging in because it was a chore. I forgot about it for a year and then I recently came back and I’m enjoying it again.
You’re created a world where you’re surrounded yourself only with the hobby and there’s no balance. Maybe you’re even feeding an addiction?
Take a break. The hobby isn’t going anywhere and neither is your collection.
Also I agree with @explorer
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