wanted to thank you for posting this, although I realize this post is years old. I started Pokémon about 2020ish and I am at a point now where I am frustrated and overwhelmed. I am frustrated because I cannot get my hands on cards right now, bots have taken over all the drops at major retailer and of course the scalping issue. I am also frustrated financially as over the years have run up several credit cards justifying “its OK, I will get PSA 10s and pay off the balance” but of course that never happens. I get money back for PSA 10s and just buy more cards to rip. I realize now this is either obsession or addiction or both, and probably has some roots emotionally/mentally with me. I got to this thread via a google search because I want to stop cold turkey. this isn’t just Pokémon…but I am collecting MULTIPLE CCGs (part of my childhood too). I can set goals and limits in my head, but I never follow through. I probably have $10k or more in inventory just sitting here in boxes, hundreds of thousands of cards across multiple games…that’s the overwhelming piece. I keep telling myself that my kids and wife will want to learn one day, and we can play…but the reality is probably not. I am swimming in Lorcana cards, pokemon cards, star wars unlimited, magic, etc. I want to stop, I want to be responsible and have zero debt and be able to pay for college for the kids and such. But when i say it in my head and the reality sinks in, I am struggling cutting it off. I feel maybe emotionally attached to my cards, not sure if that is the right word.
I am a really good at rationalizing. I am emotionally drained today, and sick, because I have been thinking about this all week and how to get myself to stop caring and collecting period…but it’s easier said then done. I would have to leave all facebook Pokemon groups, leave all discord servers, get the Pokemon Select figures out of my house…anything Pokemon related and then my card collection. I have a lot of chase hits, and the artwork is beautiful, and I feel sad thinking about getting rid of the cards, like a piece of me being cut out. I dont know how to overcome this because we are in a bad spot right now where money out is greater than money in. There are times during the month where I HAVE TO use a charge card just to grab groceries. the debt amount is bad. I took out an equity loan to pay off cards about 2-3 years ago, like 30k roughly. But guess what happened once those cards were paid off? yep… I dont know the total because it scares the shit out of me…but probably 30-40k in credit card balances right now. I make good money, so I am able to make payments no problem…i am not behind on any other payments like mortgages etc. but i am so sick over what i have done to myself.
thanks for listening. that felt good.