The Weekly Rip 2.16.25 [utility value]
We explore the benefits of prioritizing time with your collection.
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The Weekly Rip
Your Stacking Slabs Sunday Update
February 16, 2025
We’re ambitious collectors. Always searching. Always hunting. Always thinking about the next card.
That’s part of what makes this hobby exciting. The chase. The thrill of landing something new.
But how often do we stop and spend time with what we already have?
I don’t mean flipping through cards in between eBay searches. I mean really sitting with your collection. Taking the time to appreciate the cards that have stood the test of time in your PC. The ones that remind you why you collect in the first place.
I’ve made this a habit. At least once a week, I sit on the floor in my office, pop open my Zion XL cases, and start going through my cards. No agenda. No distractions. Just me and my collection.
Every time I do this, something clicks.
I remember why I bought certain cards.
I rediscover sets, designs, and details I hadn’t thought about in months.
I notice patterns, cards that still mean something to me and ones that don’t.
I start pairing cards together, building new narratives around them.
I leave the session feeling more connected to the hobby, without having spent a dime.
The hobby moves fast. Social media, auction houses, and marketplace listings constantly remind us of what we don’t have. It’s easy to get caught up in that cycle, chasing what’s next instead of appreciating what’s already here.
Spending time with your collection does two things:
It slows you down. Instead of always looking ahead, you take a moment to look back. You reconnect with the cards that have stuck around and the reasons why they matter.
It helps refine your collection. You start to see what fits and what doesn’t. You gain clarity on what truly belongs in your PC and what was an impulse buy that no longer holds weight.
Some days, you’ll go through your collection and feel like certain cards will never leave. Two weeks later, those same cards might feel like dead weight. That’s part of the process.
Spending time with your cards isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about strengthening your connection to the hobby. It’s about resetting your perspective so collecting doesn’t always feel like a race.
And sometimes, it sparks new collecting goals. Not ones driven by hype or the market, but ones that feel personal.
If you’re always looking for the next pickup, take a step back. Pull out your cards. Flip through them. Remind yourself why you collect.
Good things happen when you spend time with your collection.
SSP Exclusive Offers For You
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Collectors are joining Stacking Slabs Patreon to consume exclusive content, connect with other collectors, and promote their cards. I’m putting out new collector focused content in the group on a daily basis and it’s the hub for all of SSP’s video content. If you’re enjoying what I’m putting out on the main feeds check out what the group has to offer. I appreciate your attention and commitment to helping grow the damn brand. Join Today
Cool Cards has taken on a life of its own. It’s the longest running show in the Stacking Slabs Patreon. It’s probably the easiest piece of content that I put together each week. 10 cards. 10 collectors. I love the opportunity to take a step back and provide commentary on cards that are causing fireworks to go off in my brain when I see them on Instagram.
I always appreciate seeing cards from @splendidsports when they’re posted. You’ll find a slew of Larry Bird bangers, Pedro, Brady, and other legends of New England. I’ve learned that some of the coolest collections are focused, but also layered with diversity. This is one of those collections!
I appreciate your support for Stacking Slabs. Tell a damn friend.
Take care,
Brett