Seasonal Curation

A few times a year, I sit down with the binder and just… look. No agenda, no shopping list. Just flipping through and paying attention to what still hits and what doesn’t. That’s the whole foundation of this process.

Timing: 2–4 times per year, 60–90 minutes max.

The Process

1. Flip Through (No Changes)

Just look. Notice what still resonates and what feels off. Don’t touch anything yet — first impressions matter here.

2. Review EDGE Pile

Look for emerging themes. Are cards clustering around a feeling you can’t quite name yet?

3. Review REDUNDANT Pile

Check for upgrades. Has a better card appeared that should replace something in the binder?

4. Remove What No Longer Earns Its Spot

Be honest. If a card doesn’t make you feel anything anymore, it should leave. That’s not failure — it’s your taste evolving.

5. Stop

Seriously, stop. Do not keep tweaking. Stability is a sign the system is working, not a sign you’re being lazy.

Signs the Binder Is Working

• Pages feel balanced when viewed as spreads
• You want to flip through it, not “fix” it
• New cards are harder to place (the bar is rising)
• The collection feels like yours, not like an inventory

Signs Something Needs Attention

• A theme feels bloated or unfocused
• Cards have been sitting in the EDGE pile for months
• You’re forcing placements to avoid empty slots
• The binder feels like a chore to open

Final Rule

If a card stays in EDGE for over 12 months, it is not a core card.

That’s clarity, not loss.