Magic. I have done this too—*my whole life. One obsession overlapping into the next.

I was never a collector, mainly because that's what my Mom does and I avoid it so not to become a hoarder — and I don't have the money to spend but if I did... I'd love to be a collector. What you're doing sounds reasonable to me. Collect -then sell.

I would often obsess over celebrities, for the most part. Musicians, Then actors... all of a certain type (older male -father figures) and t.v. shows or book series. Then there were the crushes on real-life people. I have spent months to years distantly obsessed with individuals whom I've never had an actual conversation with.

The internet as been a blessing and a cures. For one, it makes this much easier to obsess 24/7. I used to have to go to the library to research my interests, not I just log on to obsess for hours. On the other hand, it also normalizes it for me. I no longer feel 'weird' about my obsessions because I know there's a community of people out there who have the same interests.

I've always felt that my obsessions and crushes taught me something in the long run. If it's a celebrity, they had to be a certain kind of intelligent and usually their interviews introduced me to new interests and perspectives (Alan Rickman led me to Doris Lessing. David Strathairn led me to Willa Cather, Checkov, etc.) I get what your'e saying about 'useless' though. I often wish I could be this obsessed over something that would get me a better job or had me do better in school - but let's be real "Mathmatics" just doesn't look as good in a suit and tie and say, Benedict Cumberbatch.

But this is just how my brain works. Sometimes I would feel shamed about it but most of my friends are usually amused. I often feel joyful with my obsessions. I have a creative mindset and I'm not embarrassed about that. I feel like it's my minds way of working out things and having an outlet.

I did, however, realize that I was avoiding depression, anxiety and some other issues with these activities though. It's a support system. You might examine what it is you get from these obsessions and maybe what you might be avoiding.

In any event, I think you need to be kinder to yourself. You don't deserve to be shamed over something that isn't harming anyone.

Have you considered mindfulness meditation?