Beautiful explanation of the risks and side effects of card addictions. Takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there. This would be a great series if you decided to continue. Weekly Poke Session with Jake. I'd never miss a meeting. Keep up the solid content buddy!
I myself definitely fell into a slight addiction buying cards, especially at the start of covid. I realised i was buying too much (didn’t get into any financial trouble) but my high cane from just sorting cards out in binders etc. i figured cause covid at the time was a bit stressing because of the unkown around it. Sorting out cards and buying gave me some sort of control over something in my life and that’s when i realised i had to slow down and take a step back. Probably a bit too much personal info but thought i should share my experience. Great video Jake too! Definitely something that should be talked about.
Really appreciate you talking about this. I see a lot of people spending more than they can afford to during this big hype and its scary to see. Be safe everyone
I have been watching these videos all day. This one is by far the closest to my situation. Thank you very much for making this video as I’ve learned a lot about my specific situation. I have had addiction problems in my past which I have overcame. Now I have been looking to card breaking to avoid situations in my life and fulfill a high that I haven’t had for so long. I have almost ruined my finances in about two months, along with my relationship. I will continue to watch these videos every day until I know I am past this. Again thank you.
I have had a big problem with this. Collecting small amounts, then suddenly I most collect it ALL! Spent entire savings in very few months at times. Have ended up selling off and even throwing my entire collection worth a lot in the garbage TWICE! Buying, collecting, then the "shame" comes and the only way to get rid of the addiction for me is to get rid of everything as fast as possible. And now again im online looking for card deals, but I try to stay away from it this time even if it is very hard.
Card hoarder of sorts, wish u all the best. I had the same issue in the 90's which at the height of the card hobby, not to bright but like the old saying goes you learn from your mistakes or you perish. But it was very fun completing sets as the last card found was a rush
the psychology of collecting is interesting and complex. I have some personal theories. IMO Collections are a life long art project for the collector. Their collection is their personal work of art that is in the state of perpetual development. One danger is that collectors identify with their collections to the point that it feels as if the collection is literally a part of who they are as a human being. Collectors will often tie their ego and sense of value as a person to their collections. It can become a sort of unhealthy co-dependency with inanimate objects. Another danger is toxic fandom. There is a tribal community aspect to collecting and with it can come a sense of status in the tribe that can be tied to the status of the personal collection and one's status of expertise within the hobby.
It’s crazy how often I go through my binders and see things I purchased and totally forgot about. I have thought about selling a bunch of my stuff and start another hobby that is more about experiences and not something tangible. Though the attraction I have to some of the cards and artwork is crazy and I feel if I ever did sell them I would have to get them back someday
great thoughts... there's gotta be a moderation to it somehow. I think that's were some people stick to one character or something like that which makes the hunt fun, and yet also doable and not bank breaking.
I've learned to buy what I like and buy more than 1. I'm a hard collector and cant let certain cards go, but if I bought 5 and the price is rising, I'm able to sell 4 for profit and still keep one for my collection 👌
This is a huge wakeup call for me. I have an addictive behavior personality. And in the last 6 months I got into also collecting yugioh because of how hard it was to find pokemon. I've never been into yugioh so here I am dropping money on now two separate trading card platforms. I really need to refocus & I needed this video
This is some real talk! Not enough people who are being authentic like you, and sharing not only the joy, but the potential struggles in the hobby. You've earned a subscriber, keep it up!
A much needed video to be made and glad I watched. I know this is an old video but really happy to come back to it. Thanks for being vulnerable with your own experience to help us all. Pokémon is an incredible hobby and I definitely need to check myself. I’ve found myself trading and selling more now and really refining my collection and I’ve enjoyed it more and more! Thank you and always enjoy being apart of your community!
Great video Jake, I can relate to a lot of the points raised in this video. As someone who has dealt with addiction in the past, my advice to anyone who may feel as though card collecting is having a detrimental impact on their lives I would suggest the following; 1. Take regular breaks. Don’t become overly focussed on tracking eBay and other sites day in day out. 2. Don’t use credit if you cannot afford to repay it in full that month. 3. Have focussed collecting goals, and take it step by step. You don’t need to buy everything all at once. Keep up the good work!
This was great dude. I had no idea you were a therapist. My wife is a PHD LMFT and a lot of this resonated. Because of this video I’m course corrected my purchase amounts and looking at other factors of “filling the void” for happiness. Thank you for sharing this. Would love to hear your take on more of the emotional attachment with the hobby. Thanks again Jake.
You articulated this problem very well. Caused me to reflect on my own tendencies. thanks. One thing that i discovered in myself was buying tons of cards just for the collecting aspect of it wasn't fulfilling knowing that i'm getting involved with weak investment pieces that have little to no upward potential and i would maybe only look at it once every couple of years... I sold thousands of dollars of stuff that i bought for that reason and felt a lot better. i was briefly going down a dangerous path of trying to collect everything i wanted...
This is such a real problem I’ve both seen and experienced in the community. Thank you for being vulnerable and bringing awareness here. I’ve heard the argument that “cardboard addiction” is such a first world problem (and that may be true to an extent) but it undermines what can be real mental health struggles. You’re the professional when it comes to psychology, but mental health awareness is something that’s really important to me in my personal life. It means a lot to me (and I’m sure many others) that you care so much about this community.
I recently came back into the card collecting hobby a few months back after a hiatus. I collect sports cards primarily but I also collect Yu-Gi-Oh. One thing I’ve done differently this time around that I didn’t do before is display my cards daily. I have a single card display setup on my desk, and each day I take out a card from my collection, raw or graded, and I place it there to admire throughout the day. Then at night, I put it back into my box and withdraw a different card to look at for the next day. In the past I had a nasty habit of buying cards and then just filing them away into a box so I could peruse eBay for the next card, never really looking at my actual cards. With this new system, I can enjoy a card every day and actually take the time to look at it and admire it, and I feel that I’ve become a healthier collector for it. Thank you for sharing!
Jake, Thanks for sharing with us on the channel. This provides a self check for me going forward. This video is valuable for all. Thankyou and blessings to you.
Very well said, and thank you for the vulnerability. I have over-extended myself 3x within the last year, and your video checked me again and brought a mirror into my situation. Thank you again! I will keep watching!
Thank you so so so much for sharing this video. Your honesty and willingness to approach these types of topics that aren’t really acknowledged often makes me so grateful for and appreciative of you and the work you put into the content you post on this channel. I know I needed to hear this, and I assume others did too. Thank you so much. Your channel is truly just a side of the community I value so much for your warm reality checks, honesty, and transparency. Thank you so much, on behalf of myself and the community. You make us that much better. :)
This is a great video! Very much needed. Even I had to have moments of self reflection on the amount of money I was spending. Taking a step back really helps and your video also really helps reinforce the need for cautious spending.
Thank you for this. This addiction is really scary. Today I was in the subway on my way to buy a box with a huge struggle inside me and I felt terrible. Is like wanting it so much and you feel kinda powerless. Is hard to control and then you feel even sadder afterwards. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Not many people talk about this. I guess I need to find what triggers that anxiety so much. I don't know when it got so much power over me.
I just stumbled across this video. Man you nailed it! Thank you so much! I spent years chasing girls and lost interest in cards. I met a girl and been with her for 2 years. I replaced the girl chase with card chasing! I do sometimes struggle with buying cards but I try to create a balance with what I buy and what I sell. It is hard! I appreciate this video so much!
Thank you for sharing. Can definitely relate to everything you mentioned in the video. Got too obsessed the past few months and really drained my savings, so trying to re-adjust and exert more control but it's not easy 😪
I'm almost 4 years sober off the sauce. Last Saturday i was walking in Target, noticed some Evolving Skies booster packs..Decided to buy the last 3 there. First packs i've bought in like 15 years. I pulled a Dragonite V full art... within 4 hours i had googled a card shop and bought 2 booster boxes and a binder... it's definitely the same feeling as substances for me but i now see that this hobby does need true management and I thankfully have the tools to do that. This is a great video and i know first hand just how hard it is to share personal things like this, thank you!
Thanks for sharing! I related with a ton of what you said. One of the best pieces of advice I got from watching you content (can’t remember specifically where) was to keep a tracker of ALL collecting expenses and work with a budget you find acceptable.
I've definitely had that experience of buying something and then immediately forgetting about it and moving on to find that next high. It's something that I'm aware of and now need to try to find a way to curb.
Thank you for shining a light on this issue. It is a real problem within the card collecting community (I collect Magic: The Gathering). It’s so, so important to set a budget for yourself with an amount of money you can spend without affecting the more important needs in you and your partner’s lives. It’s important to be honest with yourself and admit you have a problem the moment you recognize it.
Thanks man for the video. The self awareness youre tellingg is something to commend for. A lot of people are addicted and have no idea that theyre addicts
Watching all these great polls online and then go buy boxes of cards at retail price is my downfall. Now I got tons of bulk taking up space in my apartment... and yet I buy more. Thank you for making this video.
Jake, I don’t usually comment on videos, but I really appreciate this kind of talk. I think a lot more people are prone to this than they like to admit. I personally have been struggling with this, between cards I current have that are expensive yet nostalgic (from childhood) and newer stuff. I have a photography business that Is growing very well, but I’m limited by capital to take it to the next level. My struggle is whether or not to sell parts of my collection and/or stop buying cards altogether. I’ve been finding it very difficult to stop, and it’s stressful. Last year I got myself into a little more credit debt than I’d prefer, tho I always use cards that have no interest for X month and just pay them off before the time is up. Still, it was an eye opener, but I still find myself having difficulty stopping. I’ve certainly slowed, but I don’t feel the same joy. Now it’s more worry about how much potential money I have tied up in a collection, wondering if it’s worth keeping and letting it slowly rise in value, or if that mi eh would be better spent on my business or elsewhere.
If injecting more capital into your photography business will generate more income for you, it's probably worth it to sell your collection. The faster you grow your business, the sooner you can buy those cards back if you wish. I don't see prices spiking again anytime soon so you could likely get them back for the same price you sold them for, possibly even less.
Great discussion about a topic many want to avoid. I have addiction problems outside of collecting, and while it hasn't impacted my collecting all too much, I try to practice some habits and behaviours to combat addiction. I find avoiding opening packs & boosters and focusing on singles helps. Also try to avoid the newest sets on launch date and try not to get caught up in the hype. I also try to prioritize cards that have more meaning to me for whatever reason. And of course budgeting.
Talking about staying away from opening packs and wanting to get things on opening day and focus on singles… that’s what I’ve been doing as well and it’s definitely an adjustment to resisting the FOMO. Good luck with everything.
Really hit the nail on the head… I struggle to go even a couple of days without buying something to add to my collection….I buy to lessen my anxiety but then I’m always on the cusp of spending beyond my means which only makes me more anxious…. It’s a vicious circle….
we could all comment with something humorous like "Hi, my name is Tim, and I have a problem..." but truly this video is needed. Sobering and transparent, yet with a message of hope and recommendations for assistance. Jake, thank you.
Simply fantastic video Jake 👍👍 very honest take, straight to the nitty gritty and props to you for sharing your thoughts and experiences on the subject. I've also been in a similar situation so this really resonates with me. I actually had a break away from the hobby between March and June which did me the world of good.
I seriously appreciate this video so much. This is probably the fourth or fifth time I’ve returned to this just to listen to what you have to say again. It’s really nice hearing that I’m not alone in dealing with these issues, I relate to so much of what you had to say. The “well I’m only going to go over budget this one time because I found a deal” thing is something I tend to tell myself allot and it’s really hard to snap out of that habit I’ve dealt with allot of addiction issues through out my life to fill some voids and to distract myself from internal struggles I’ve been going thru. Buying is for sure not as unhealthy for me as some other stuff but it’s still an issue none the less. It takes allot of courage to make a video like this, being so open about this issue, and I’m sure this video has helped so many people in the hobby feel less alone. Thanks as always Jake.
Great candid vid! Refreshing. I'd hazard a guess, anyone who is this deep into the hobby to be watching your channel regularly has at least "mild" addiction. It is so easy to "over spend". We all do it to a degree. Great to hear you talk about you identifying "warning signs". Like not looking at a card you previously had a "high" purchasing. Because when we are in our own heads, going through habitual psycho/behavioral processes, we often need a cue or trigger to tell us when we are going "to far" off course. Then we can catch the oversteps, bring them to awareness and we are more likely to pump the breaks a bit.
Jake: Great video. I watch most of your content and like lot of people, I like that you try to share and guide based on your experience. I don't *always* agree with your point of view, but you were **PREACHING** today. I appreciate you talking about this topic. I have certainly bought product to make myself happy, 100%. While I am not independently wealthy, I do have a fair amount of spending money, but if I would have been at an earlier point in my life I am sure I would have over spent. Good for you to try and talk about this with the younger people in the hobby.
Appreciate the video. It's a great reminder. Currently not in that cycle but I've been there before. I imagine this would sooth someone in the middle of this buying cycle now. Thanks
I love this video, I think it's my favorite Pokemon related video on UA-cam. I identify with this strongly in that something that you're using as an escape can also be something that can take over and become a negative energy on one's life. I fire sold almost everything in 2018 because it was becoming too encompassing. I feel like I'm starting to drift there again, but videos like this help me consider moderation. Thanks again Jake for making this video and being authentic so we can also be authentic with ourselves!
One of the best videos I’ve seen during this this whole pandemic, very important topic and appreciate you speaking to this Jake. We can all get there at times… it’s nice to take a step back- I hope this video does that for a lot of people. 🙏🏼
This some real shit I spent 1000 bucks this month and I just started I look up card addiction and this video came up I just started but thankyou for this wisdom sir you save me alit of time money frustration thankyou
It's not often you find such candid takes like this about real issues. Thanks for putting yourself out there. If you keep putting out content I'll keep consuming it 😁
Thanks for being so personal with this video. I think a lot of people, even myself, struggle with the addiction in collectibles. I had to refocus myself 6 months ago and reevaluate my investments. There are not enough UA-camrs addressing this issue and I thank you for this.
i just started collecting pokemon cards over a month ago. i initially looked at it as a children's hobby. but the moment i opened my first pack, i got hooked. now i find myself spending way too much then i normally would on anything else, especially when i already live check to check after paying the mortgage, all the bills and taking care of a family. thus, i'm here searching videos of what people have experienced and learned so that it doesn't get out of control. thanks for this.
Can't commend you enough for talking about this. Seeing more and more people come into Pokemon collecting and get caught up in becoming addicted to collecting. Addicted in a way that a lot more money and time is spent than what was initially set aside for it. Can be hard to deal with like other addictions in life. I've fallen victim to it multiple times in the past few months. Seeing other people pull the best cards in a set can cause all sorts of feelings from FOMO to jealousy and good emotions such as gratitude towards others. We're all in the same type of boat brother! Like others have said, moderation is important and set your mind to reasonable goals in how you will go about collecting cards. Find that balance!
Thank you for this video Jake. We don’t see enough videos spreading awareness about the dangers of such behaviours, where it can lead to and what are some solutions to come to an equilibrium with other facets in our lives. I feel a lot of major players in the hobby are encouraging it and profiting from it. Ripping packs or even “investing” in particular products is a form of gambling. It can be a lot of fun and rewarding but the line can be blurry before it starts controlling you…. Gambling destroyed lifes, relationships, families and careers for some people I was close to. You are brave for showing such vulnerability and honesty and I admire that. You are often against the current with how you view things, such as encouraging empathy or passing on good deals and instead educating and helping people that were about to get ripped. Finding the source of your pain can be struggling, but help exists. Others will say empathy is babyish, I try to avoid such personalities and instead find true decent human beings like you seem to be.
You’re the real OG Jake. It really does happen with everything, it’s an addition when you have the item you’ve always wanted in your hands for the first time, and yet you’re simultaneously thinking about the next purchase
JAKEEE great video. love it all. love that you're bringing awareness to mental health, trauma, coping etc. etc. Def feel like it's an issue that as a society we don't bring up enough! Love that we have someone from your background discussing such issues and how they coincide into the pokemon card hobby. For me personally, I've struggled with all those issues for such a long time and it wasn't until recently that I've felt as though I've been in a better place...for anyone reading who is struggling: therapy is a great tool and really awesome! it is literally one of the best decisions i've ever made in a long time. Really helps you self reflect and deal with mental loops and issues that you never even knew existed. If therapy isn't an option, self help books and audio books really help too! literally you can be whoever you want to be and feel however you want to feel...it's just a matter of wrapping your head around it, believing it, and dispelling all the thoughts/trauma that oppose it...sorry not trying to get too preachy and corny lmao that's all just helped me out a lot so i try to spread that energy whenever i have a chance lmaooo I definitely feel I've been going through a lot of what you're saying... I keep telling myself "NO MORE BUYING UNTIL YOU HAVE X AMOUNT IN YOUR SAVINGS AND X AMOUNT IN YOUR CHECKINGS" but then all these opportunities keep arising lmaooo. No sleepless nights for me yet, but I have gotten to the point of, "oh i gotta sell this now in order to afford this". For the longest time i've been really lenient on it, but I've been cracking down on myself harder and harder. really want to have a large lump sum ready for when one of those unbelievable deals comes up instead of buying up a bunch of "oh these are pretty good deals" deals. Anyways long rant done. Great vid jake. ur literally the goat of goats.
I have been buying packs for like 2 weeks straight like 40 bucks a day. I just randomly started collecting again im 34 m use to collect as a kid opened one pack got a hit and here I am 2 weeks in. Im glad there are videos on this Thank you
I found myself in that exact situation with SWCCG over the course of this year. After seeing how I'd lost sight of my original goals I was able to reel myself back into reality. Now instead of a bunch of random cards I have two deck pairs, several complete sets and some extra SWCCG goodies! Unfortunately now comes the tough part, finding new homes for all the extra cards I really didn't have a purpose for buying in the first place!
I’ve definitely bought things I’ve regretted instantly just because I was feeling down or what not. I told myself no more till next year so hopefully I can stick to that.
Hey mate thankyou for this video, it's actually helped me rethink how and why I collect. You are right this community is amazing filled with great people 👌🏽
Love your honesty and the pieces of advice in this video. I’ve only gotten into Pokémon for a year, but I definitely feel like I over spend sometimes. Appreciate this video and your channel a lot, you’ve earnt yourself a new subscriber :) Hope you feel better soon sir👍
Hey Jake, Thanks again for the honest and transparent videos - you've straight up saved me from making some really dumb purchases I couldn't afford. Keep doing what your doing, Looking forward to the next patreon!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and providing wise words of advice. I think you touched on several great points, and hearing these points helps us to take a moment to pause and ask ourselves "am I going through this, am I addicted to buying cards?". I think you've helped so many people with this kind of conversation. Thank you. 🙏
nice one man, there was definitely a degree of this going on with me during covid, but it was a balance of good and bad. It's hard to measure when something is too much or not.
You’ve articulated a lot of things that have been squirming around in the back of my head over the last year. I sometimes feel like my card dealers are drug dealers.
Beautiful explanation of the risks and side effects of card addictions. Takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there. This would be a great series if you decided to continue. Weekly Poke Session with Jake. I'd never miss a meeting. Keep up the solid content buddy!
I have spent 2000£ on gaming in 10 years just started pokemon card addiction in one month I have spent 700£ wtf
That thrill of winning an eBay auction is what gets me…
You and me both.
I myself definitely fell into a slight addiction buying cards, especially at the start of covid. I realised i was buying too much (didn’t get into any financial trouble) but my high cane from just sorting cards out in binders etc. i figured cause covid at the time was a bit stressing because of the unkown around it. Sorting out cards and buying gave me some sort of control over something in my life and that’s when i realised i had to slow down and take a step back. Probably a bit too much personal info but thought i should share my experience. Great video Jake too! Definitely something that should be talked about.
I did get into financial trouble with mine and I'm reaping what I sowed
Really appreciate you talking about this. I see a lot of people spending more than they can afford to during this big hype and its scary to see. Be safe everyone
Jake, I can't thank you enough for all the knowledge you've instilled in us over the months. We really appreciate you.
I really appreciate you Jody! I always see you on tons of other channels as well supporting people in the community.
I have been watching these videos all day. This one is by far the closest to my situation. Thank you very much for making this video as I’ve learned a lot about my specific situation. I have had addiction problems in my past which I have overcame. Now I have been looking to card breaking to avoid situations in my life and fulfill a high that I haven’t had for so long. I have almost ruined my finances in about two months, along with my relationship. I will continue to watch these videos every day until I know I am past this. Again thank you.
Damn man, feels like your talking directly to
Me. I need to do some deep self reflection.
Thank you for this video
I have had a big problem with this. Collecting small amounts, then suddenly I most collect it ALL! Spent entire savings in very few months at times. Have ended up selling off and even throwing my entire collection worth a lot in the garbage TWICE! Buying, collecting, then the "shame" comes and the only way to get rid of the addiction for me is to get rid of everything as fast as possible. And now again im online looking for card deals, but I try to stay away from it this time even if it is very hard.
Card hoarder of sorts, wish u all the best. I had the same issue in the 90's which at the height of the card hobby, not to bright but like the old saying goes you learn from your mistakes or you perish. But it was very fun completing sets as the last card found was a rush
I appreciate your honesty and openness with this. It takes a lot of courage to share this. I know a lot of the biggest collectors feel the same thing.
the psychology of collecting is interesting and complex. I have some personal theories. IMO Collections are a life long art project for the collector. Their collection is their personal work of art that is in the state of perpetual development. One danger is that collectors identify with their collections to the point that it feels as if the collection is literally a part of who they are as a human being. Collectors will often tie their ego and sense of value as a person to their collections. It can become a sort of unhealthy co-dependency with inanimate objects. Another danger is toxic fandom. There is a tribal community aspect to collecting and with it can come a sense of status in the tribe that can be tied to the status of the personal collection and one's status of expertise within the hobby.
It’s crazy how often I go through my binders and see things I purchased and totally forgot about. I have thought about selling a bunch of my stuff and start another hobby that is more about experiences and not something tangible. Though the attraction I have to some of the cards and artwork is crazy and I feel if I ever did sell them I would have to get them back someday
great thoughts... there's gotta be a moderation to it somehow. I think that's were some people stick to one character or something like that which makes the hunt fun, and yet also doable and not bank breaking.
I've learned to buy what I like and buy more than 1. I'm a hard collector and cant let certain cards go, but if I bought 5 and the price is rising, I'm able to sell 4 for profit and still keep one for my collection 👌
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@@timokimm z⁰0
Wow ive never seen another person in the community talk about this. Thank you.
This is a huge wakeup call for me. I have an addictive behavior personality. And in the last 6 months I got into also collecting yugioh because of how hard it was to find pokemon. I've never been into yugioh so here I am dropping money on now two separate trading card platforms. I really need to refocus & I needed this video
Always something else to buy.
This was so authentic and so candid. I really wish these kinds of discussions happened more often in our community. Thank you for making this video!
Thank you Jake. We appreciate you.
This is some real talk! Not enough people who are being authentic like you, and sharing not only the joy, but the potential struggles in the hobby. You've earned a subscriber, keep it up!
A much needed video to be made and glad I watched. I know this is an old video but really happy to come back to it. Thanks for being vulnerable with your own experience to help us all.
Pokémon is an incredible hobby and I definitely need to check myself. I’ve found myself trading and selling more now and really refining my collection and I’ve enjoyed it more and more! Thank you and always enjoy being apart of your community!
Jake continues to be the voice of reason and honesty in the community.
Great video Jake, I can relate to a lot of the points raised in this video.
As someone who has dealt with addiction in the past, my advice to anyone who may feel as though card collecting is having a detrimental impact on their lives I would suggest the following;
1. Take regular breaks. Don’t become overly focussed on tracking eBay and other sites day in day out.
2. Don’t use credit if you cannot afford to repay it in full that month.
3. Have focussed collecting goals, and take it step by step. You don’t need to buy everything all at once.
Keep up the good work!
This was great dude. I had no idea you were a therapist. My wife is a PHD LMFT and a lot of this resonated. Because of this video I’m course corrected my purchase amounts and looking at other factors of “filling the void” for happiness. Thank you for sharing this. Would love to hear your take on more of the emotional attachment with the hobby. Thanks again Jake.
You articulated this problem very well. Caused me to reflect on my own tendencies. thanks.
One thing that i discovered in myself was buying tons of cards just for the collecting aspect of it wasn't fulfilling knowing that i'm getting involved with weak investment pieces that have little to no upward potential and i would maybe only look at it once every couple of years... I sold thousands of dollars of stuff that i bought for that reason and felt a lot better. i was briefly going down a dangerous path of trying to collect everything i wanted...
This is such a real problem I’ve both seen and experienced in the community. Thank you for being vulnerable and bringing awareness here.
I’ve heard the argument that “cardboard addiction” is such a first world problem (and that may be true to an extent) but it undermines what can be real mental health struggles. You’re the professional when it comes to psychology, but mental health awareness is something that’s really important to me in my personal life. It means a lot to me (and I’m sure many others) that you care so much about this community.
I recently came back into the card collecting hobby a few months back after a hiatus. I collect sports cards primarily but I also collect Yu-Gi-Oh. One thing I’ve done differently this time around that I didn’t do before is display my cards daily. I have a single card display setup on my desk, and each day I take out a card from my collection, raw or graded, and I place it there to admire throughout the day. Then at night, I put it back into my box and withdraw a different card to look at for the next day.
In the past I had a nasty habit of buying cards and then just filing them away into a box so I could peruse eBay for the next card, never really looking at my actual cards. With this new system, I can enjoy a card every day and actually take the time to look at it and admire it, and I feel that I’ve become a healthier collector for it. Thank you for sharing!
Jake, Thanks for sharing with us on the channel. This provides a self check for me going forward. This video is valuable for all. Thankyou and blessings to you.
Very well said, and thank you for the vulnerability. I have over-extended myself 3x within the last year, and your video checked me again and brought a mirror into my situation. Thank you again! I will keep watching!
Thank you so so so much for sharing this video. Your honesty and willingness to approach these types of topics that aren’t really acknowledged often makes me so grateful for and appreciative of you and the work you put into the content you post on this channel. I know I needed to hear this, and I assume others did too. Thank you so much. Your channel is truly just a side of the community I value so much for your warm reality checks, honesty, and transparency. Thank you so much, on behalf of myself and the community. You make us that much better. :)
This is a great video! Very much needed. Even I had to have moments of self reflection on the amount of money I was spending. Taking a step back really helps and your video also really helps reinforce the need for cautious spending.
Thank you for this. This addiction is really scary. Today I was in the subway on my way to buy a box with a huge struggle inside me and I felt terrible. Is like wanting it so much and you feel kinda powerless. Is hard to control and then you feel even sadder afterwards. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Not many people talk about this. I guess I need to find what triggers that anxiety so much. I don't know when it got so much power over me.
I just stumbled across this video. Man you nailed it! Thank you so much! I spent years chasing girls and lost interest in cards. I met a girl and been with her for 2 years. I replaced the girl chase with card chasing! I do sometimes struggle with buying cards but I try to create a balance with what I buy and what I sell. It is hard! I appreciate this video so much!
Thank you for sharing. Can definitely relate to everything you mentioned in the video. Got too obsessed the past few months and really drained my savings, so trying to re-adjust and exert more control but it's not easy 😪
I'm almost 4 years sober off the sauce. Last Saturday i was walking in Target, noticed some Evolving Skies booster packs..Decided to buy the last 3 there. First packs i've bought in like 15 years. I pulled a Dragonite V full art... within 4 hours i had googled a card shop and bought 2 booster boxes and a binder... it's definitely the same feeling as substances for me but i now see that this hobby does need true management and I thankfully have the tools to do that. This is a great video and i know first hand just how hard it is to share personal things like this, thank you!
as always thanks for your honesty Jake, you gave us a good reminder about the importance of limits and priorities
You are not appreciated enough in this community for your approach to the hobby. Thank you
Thanks for sharing! I related with a ton of what you said. One of the best pieces of advice I got from watching you content (can’t remember specifically where) was to keep a tracker of ALL collecting expenses and work with a budget you find acceptable.
I've definitely had that experience of buying something and then immediately forgetting about it and moving on to find that next high. It's something that I'm aware of and now need to try to find a way to curb.
Thank you for shining a light on this issue. It is a real problem within the card collecting community (I collect Magic: The Gathering). It’s so, so important to set a budget for yourself with an amount of money you can spend without affecting the more important needs in you and your partner’s lives. It’s important to be honest with yourself and admit you have a problem the moment you recognize it.
Thanks man for the video. The self awareness youre tellingg is something to commend for. A lot of people are addicted and have no idea that theyre addicts
Appreciate your honesty. I’m sure not the only one in this boat.
Watching all these great polls online and then go buy boxes of cards at retail price is my downfall. Now I got tons of bulk taking up space in my apartment... and yet I buy more.
Thank you for making this video.
Jake, I don’t usually comment on videos, but I really appreciate this kind of talk. I think a lot more people are prone to this than they like to admit. I personally have been struggling with this, between cards I current have that are expensive yet nostalgic (from childhood) and newer stuff. I have a photography business that Is growing very well, but I’m limited by capital to take it to the next level. My struggle is whether or not to sell parts of my collection and/or stop buying cards altogether. I’ve been finding it very difficult to stop, and it’s stressful.
Last year I got myself into a little more credit debt than I’d prefer, tho I always use cards that have no interest for X month and just pay them off before the time is up. Still, it was an eye opener, but I still find myself having difficulty stopping. I’ve certainly slowed, but I don’t feel the same joy. Now it’s more worry about how much potential money I have tied up in a collection, wondering if it’s worth keeping and letting it slowly rise in value, or if that mi eh would be better spent on my business or elsewhere.
If injecting more capital into your photography business will generate more income for you, it's probably worth it to sell your collection. The faster you grow your business, the sooner you can buy those cards back if you wish. I don't see prices spiking again anytime soon so you could likely get them back for the same price you sold them for, possibly even less.
Great discussion about a topic many want to avoid. I have addiction problems outside of collecting, and while it hasn't impacted my collecting all too much, I try to practice some habits and behaviours to combat addiction.
I find avoiding opening packs & boosters and focusing on singles helps. Also try to avoid the newest sets on launch date and try not to get caught up in the hype. I also try to prioritize cards that have more meaning to me for whatever reason. And of course budgeting.
Talking about staying away from opening packs and wanting to get things on opening day and focus on singles… that’s what I’ve been doing as well and it’s definitely an adjustment to resisting the FOMO. Good luck with everything.
Really hit the nail on the head… I struggle to go even a couple of days without buying something to add to my collection….I buy to lessen my anxiety but then I’m always on the cusp of spending beyond my means which only makes me more anxious…. It’s a vicious circle….
we could all comment with something humorous like "Hi, my name is Tim, and I have a problem..." but truly this video is needed.
Sobering and transparent, yet with a message of hope and recommendations for assistance.
Jake, thank you.
Appreciate your vulnerability - thanks for sharing your journey!
I can say that I feel like this too. Thank you for getting me to stop and think more! You bring so much value :)
Simply fantastic video Jake 👍👍 very honest take, straight to the nitty gritty and props to you for sharing your thoughts and experiences on the subject.
I've also been in a similar situation so this really resonates with me. I actually had a break away from the hobby between March and June which did me the world of good.
Thank you for sharing this, I have some of the same struggles.
I seriously appreciate this video so much. This is probably the fourth or fifth time I’ve returned to this just to listen to what you have to say again. It’s really nice hearing that I’m not alone in dealing with these issues, I relate to so much of what you had to say.
The “well I’m only going to go over budget this one time because I found a deal” thing is something I tend to tell myself allot and it’s really hard to snap out of that habit
I’ve dealt with allot of addiction issues through out my life to fill some voids and to distract myself from internal struggles I’ve been going thru. Buying is for sure not as unhealthy for me as some other stuff but it’s still an issue none the less.
It takes allot of courage to make a video like this, being so open about this issue, and I’m sure this video has helped so many people in the hobby feel less alone.
Thanks as always Jake.
Thanks for talking about this. You have made it into the UA-cam algorithm with this video so keep it up buddy. Big thanks
I can’t explain how much I can relate to this video I feel a lot of people will take value from this video 👍🏻👍🏻
Great candid vid! Refreshing. I'd hazard a guess, anyone who is this deep into the hobby to be watching your channel regularly has at least "mild" addiction. It is so easy to "over spend". We all do it to a degree. Great to hear you talk about you identifying "warning signs". Like not looking at a card you previously had a "high" purchasing. Because when we are in our own heads, going through habitual psycho/behavioral processes, we often need a cue or trigger to tell us when we are going "to far" off course. Then we can catch the oversteps, bring them to awareness and we are more likely to pump the breaks a bit.
Jake: Great video. I watch most of your content and like lot of people, I like that you try to share and guide based on your experience. I don't *always* agree with your point of view, but you were **PREACHING** today. I appreciate you talking about this topic. I have certainly bought product to make myself happy, 100%. While I am not independently wealthy, I do have a fair amount of spending money, but if I would have been at an earlier point in my life I am sure I would have over spent. Good for you to try and talk about this with the younger people in the hobby.
Great video, thank you for the honesty. Always enjoy your content and takes.
Great video . I know all too well the dark side of the hobby . Thankfully I have learned self control . Love the channel !
Appreciate the video. It's a great reminder. Currently not in that cycle but I've been there before. I imagine this would sooth someone in the middle of this buying cycle now. Thanks
Definitely respect and appreciate you talking about this, it’s much needed discussion in this hobby. Balance is key in everything we do in life
You are absolutely right bro.
I love this video, I think it's my favorite Pokemon related video on UA-cam. I identify with this strongly in that something that you're using as an escape can also be something that can take over and become a negative energy on one's life. I fire sold almost everything in 2018 because it was becoming too encompassing. I feel like I'm starting to drift there again, but videos like this help me consider moderation. Thanks again Jake for making this video and being authentic so we can also be authentic with ourselves!
One of the best videos I’ve seen during this this whole pandemic, very important topic and appreciate you speaking to this Jake. We can all get there at times… it’s nice to take a step back- I hope this video does that for a lot of people. 🙏🏼
This some real shit I spent 1000 bucks this month and I just started I look up card addiction and this video came up I just started but thankyou for this wisdom sir you save me alit of time money frustration thankyou
It's not often you find such candid takes like this about real issues. Thanks for putting yourself out there. If you keep putting out content I'll keep consuming it 😁
Great video bringing awareness to something that is very much going on for a lot of people in the hobby.
Guilty of this. Going through a rough time financially right now.
Awesome video as usual Jake. Thanks for what you do and this is great food for thought. Got me thinking for sure.
Thanks for being so personal with this video. I think a lot of people, even myself, struggle with the addiction in collectibles. I had to refocus myself 6 months ago and reevaluate my investments. There are not enough UA-camrs addressing this issue and I thank you for this.
Keeping it 💯! Appreciate you talking about this, something that needs to get addressed more often
so true and relatable....
Thank you for this, I can empathize with a lot of what you said.
i just started collecting pokemon cards over a month ago. i initially looked at it as a children's hobby. but the moment i opened my first pack, i got hooked. now i find myself spending way too much then i normally would on anything else, especially when i already live check to check after paying the mortgage, all the bills and taking care of a family. thus, i'm here searching videos of what people have experienced and learned so that it doesn't get out of control. thanks for this.
Thank you for putting the problem of us all on the table. It should be addressed much more in a more longer videos! thank you man
Can't commend you enough for talking about this. Seeing more and more people come into Pokemon collecting and get caught up in becoming addicted to collecting. Addicted in a way that a lot more money and time is spent than what was initially set aside for it. Can be hard to deal with like other addictions in life. I've fallen victim to it multiple times in the past few months. Seeing other people pull the best cards in a set can cause all sorts of feelings from FOMO to jealousy and good emotions such as gratitude towards others. We're all in the same type of boat brother! Like others have said, moderation is important and set your mind to reasonable goals in how you will go about collecting cards. Find that balance!
Thank you for this video Jake. We don’t see enough videos spreading awareness about the dangers of such behaviours, where it can lead to and what are some solutions to come to an equilibrium with other facets in our lives.
I feel a lot of major players in the hobby are encouraging it and profiting from it. Ripping packs or even “investing” in particular products is a form of gambling. It can be a lot of fun and rewarding but the line can be blurry before it starts controlling you…. Gambling destroyed lifes, relationships, families and careers for some people I was close to.
You are brave for showing such vulnerability and honesty and I admire that. You are often against the current with how you view things, such as encouraging empathy or passing on good deals and instead educating and helping people that were about to get ripped. Finding the source of your pain can be struggling, but help exists. Others will say empathy is babyish, I try to avoid such personalities and instead find true decent human beings like you seem to be.
You’re the real OG Jake. It really does happen with everything, it’s an addition when you have the item you’ve always wanted in your hands for the first time, and yet you’re simultaneously thinking about the next purchase
JAKEEE great video. love it all. love that you're bringing awareness to mental health, trauma, coping etc. etc. Def feel like it's an issue that as a society we don't bring up enough! Love that we have someone from your background discussing such issues and how they coincide into the pokemon card hobby. For me personally, I've struggled with all those issues for such a long time and it wasn't until recently that I've felt as though I've been in a better place...for anyone reading who is struggling: therapy is a great tool and really awesome! it is literally one of the best decisions i've ever made in a long time. Really helps you self reflect and deal with mental loops and issues that you never even knew existed. If therapy isn't an option, self help books and audio books really help too! literally you can be whoever you want to be and feel however you want to feel...it's just a matter of wrapping your head around it, believing it, and dispelling all the thoughts/trauma that oppose it...sorry not trying to get too preachy and corny lmao that's all just helped me out a lot so i try to spread that energy whenever i have a chance lmaooo
I definitely feel I've been going through a lot of what you're saying... I keep telling myself "NO MORE BUYING UNTIL YOU HAVE X AMOUNT IN YOUR SAVINGS AND X AMOUNT IN YOUR CHECKINGS" but then all these opportunities keep arising lmaooo. No sleepless nights for me yet, but I have gotten to the point of, "oh i gotta sell this now in order to afford this". For the longest time i've been really lenient on it, but I've been cracking down on myself harder and harder. really want to have a large lump sum ready for when one of those unbelievable deals comes up instead of buying up a bunch of "oh these are pretty good deals" deals.
Anyways long rant done. Great vid jake. ur literally the goat of goats.
Great words perfect point in my life for this video I’ve been trying to control my need to buy this is a great wake up call thank you!
I have been buying packs for like 2 weeks straight like 40 bucks a day. I just randomly started collecting again im 34 m use to collect as a kid opened one pack got a hit and here I am 2 weeks in. Im glad there are videos on this Thank you
Sending the best vibes your way, Jake. Appreciate this video and really needed to hear this today. Thanks for all you do
I found myself in that exact situation with SWCCG over the course of this year. After seeing how I'd lost sight of my original goals I was able to reel myself back into reality. Now instead of a bunch of random cards I have two deck pairs, several complete sets and some extra SWCCG goodies!
Unfortunately now comes the tough part, finding new homes for all the extra cards I really didn't have a purpose for buying in the first place!
I’ve definitely bought things I’ve regretted instantly just because I was feeling down or what not. I told myself no more till next year so hopefully I can stick to that.
Hey mate thankyou for this video, it's actually helped me rethink how and why I collect. You are right this community is amazing filled with great people 👌🏽
Thanks for sharing and opening up on an important issue as this Jake!
You bring clarity to a world of insanity. Thank you!
Thank you for being awesome Jake
Love your honesty and the pieces of advice in this video. I’ve only gotten into Pokémon for a year, but I definitely feel like I over spend sometimes.
Appreciate this video and your channel a lot, you’ve earnt yourself a new subscriber :)
Hope you feel better soon sir👍
Hey Jake, Thanks again for the honest and transparent videos - you've straight up saved me from making some really dumb purchases I couldn't afford. Keep doing what your doing, Looking forward to the next patreon!
Thanks for making this one, Jake! Thinking about the Pokémon cards I truly enjoy has certainly helped me narrow my collecting scope.
Amazing man this one really spoke to me, thank you
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and providing wise words of advice. I think you touched on several great points, and hearing these points helps us to take a moment to pause and ask ourselves "am I going through this, am I addicted to buying cards?". I think you've helped so many people with this kind of conversation. Thank you. 🙏
Excellent video on a topic that needs more light shed on it!
nice one man, there was definitely a degree of this going on with me during covid, but it was a balance of good and bad. It's hard to measure when something is too much or not.
Thanks for sharing 👍🍀
Takes bravery to open up and make a video like this Jake, well said!
Appreciate your honesty and vulnerability Jake! Keep putting out your informative videos :)
Such an honest and heartfelt video.
We all have our vices... but everything in moderation as they say.
You’ve articulated a lot of things that have been squirming around in the back of my head over the last year. I sometimes feel like my card dealers are drug dealers.
Very good video!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Needed to see this. Thank you!