Yes but I'm FORCED to take five actions a week, either collecting or building. I can't skip actions. Without resources I can't build, so I'm FORCED to collect, inevitably depleting them and causing collapse.
The game was intended to be hard to reflect on the theme of collapse. We assure you it can be played through to the end, but it won't be easy :)
On the topic of the five actions, you can skip them by just clicking on "Pay" at any time.
Ah well that changes everything! Thanks!