The Weekly Rip 11.17.24 [Letting Go]
In this week's newsletter Brett discusses the psychology of letting go of cards in our collection and uncovers the many factors at play.
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The Weekly Rip
Your Stacking Slabs Sunday Update
November 17, 2024
The Psychology of Letting Go of Cards
When we talk about collecting, it’s easy to focus on the cards we’re after—the thrill of the hunt, the joy of adding to our collection. We obsess over the chase. I’ll never forget asking Nat Turner, CEO of Collectors and owner of one of the most significant collections our hobby has ever seen if the 3 Green PMGs he was missing kept him up at night. He shared what concerned him most was the emptiness that might exist when the chase was over after he eventually finds the cards.
But letting go? That’s a side of collecting we don’t discuss as often, and yet it’s really freaking important. I’ve been having an argument in my brain. I don’t think I believe in “forever cards” anymore. Sure, there’s cards you can likely point to that you’d take to the grave, but are you really considering all of the possible scenarios that might pry those cards from your PC? The psychology behind collecting is rooted in change, growth, and the constant pull of the dopamine loop that drives us to pursue the next big piece.
Letting go doesn’t mean abandoning what we love. It means evolving as collectors.
I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot as two key pieces in my Roman Reigns collection end at auction tonight. These are cards that I deeply appreciate and have gotten a ton of utility value from, but other circumstances have emerged that pushed me to put these cards up for auction.
I’m deeply fascinated by the decisions that we make about our collections. We’re the CEOs of our PC. We decide what stays. We decides what goes.
Here are a few core psychological elements that explain why letting go of cards is part of the process:
The Dopamine Loop: Why We’re Driven to Seek New Cards
Collecting is addictive, partly because of the dopamine loop. I’ve talked about the dopamine feeling that we get when we get a new mail day. I always think about the personal significance that mail day has on its ability to continue to take us to that higher level days after or not.
Each time we acquire a card we’ve been hunting, we feel a rush of accomplishment and satisfaction. That rush fades over time, leading us to chase it again. This cycle often means that the cards we once prized may no longer give us the same excitement. Letting go frees up both physical and mental space, giving us the flexibility to find our next “must-have” card.
Studies in behavioral psychology suggest that dopamine levels increase with the anticipation of reward, not the reward itself. This means we’re often more excited in the hunt than in the ownership. By letting go, we’re creating more opportunities to feel that same sense of thrill and reward in our next pursuit.
Collection Curation: Building a Focused, Authentic Collection
For many of us, our collections started with buying whatever caught our eye. Over time, though, we develop more refined tastes. We want our collections to represent specific themes, players, or eras that have personal meaning. As we narrow our focus, some cards no longer fit into our overall collection goals, and letting go of them allows us to shape our collections to better reflect our personal interests.
Collectors who regularly reassess their collection goals report higher satisfaction with their overall collection. Curating cards that tell a specific story or follow a focused theme often brings deeper long-term happiness and reduces impulse buying of cards that don’t align with that vision.
The Practical Value of Reinvestment: Funding Bigger Goals
As collectors, we often set bigger goals as our passion deepens. A card that once felt like a grail might now be the ticket to another card that represents an even greater pursuit. Letting go becomes a strategic decision to fund these new goals. This reinvestment approach lets us keep building without overextending our resources.
Financial planning in the hobby is common, especially for high-end collectors. By selling a valuable but no longer essential card, we make room for new priorities and enjoy a stronger, more purposeful collection.
Avoiding Stagnation: Keeping the Collection Fresh and Dynamic
The act of letting go can prevent a collection from feeling stagnant. When a collection grows without change, we risk losing that connection to our cards. When we let go, we make room for new cards that feel fresh and relevant to our current interests, keeping our collection dynamic and exciting.
Research shows that introducing variety into hobbies can improve motivation and satisfaction. Collectors who regularly sell, trade, or change their collections report a stronger sense of connection to their collections over time, as they evolve with their interests and circumstances.
Psychological Flexibility: Adapting to Life Changes and Priorities
As our lives change, so do our collecting priorities. Job changes, family responsibilities, or shifting financial goals impact what we can and want to collect. I’m going through this right now as I transition into a full-time role with SSP. Letting go of cards that no longer fit our new circumstances can give us a sense of control, helping us maintain balance while still pursuing our passion.
Psychologists emphasize flexibility as a key to long-term satisfaction in hobbies. Those who can adapt their collections to their changing lives report lower stress and greater enjoyment. Letting go of some cards in favor of those that align with new life priorities keeps collecting sustainable and fulfilling.
When we let go of cards, we’re not diminishing our collection—we’re empowering it. The psychology of collecting is built on growth, reinvestment, and a willingness to let our collections evolve as we do. Whether you’re driven by the thrill of the chase, a need for curation, or changing life goals, letting go is how we keep our collections authentic, vibrant, and meaningful.
I’ll be digging into this topic in further detail in this week’s flagship episode of SSP.
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The audio format has always been the backbone of SSP. I’m not only delivering consistent video, but also incorporating audio back into the mix in the Patreon. This week I detailed my own Judgment Day process when letting go of cards. Do you want to support SSP even further? Join the Patreon today for more exclusive content from yours truly.
A Collector To Follow
Want to see a sea of Logomans that you’ve likely never seen before? Check out @garfield_cards page. It’s chalked full of certified bangers. He’s got some of the coolest Yao Ming cards that I've ever seen.
I appreciate your support and passion for Stacking Slabs. Thanks for reading!
Take care,
Brett