I used to think there was a mysterious force in the market:
As soon as I open a position, the market immediately goes the other way.
When I go long, it drops.
When I go short, it rises.
As soon as I cut losses, it pulls back.
As soon as I sell to close, it takes off.
It feels like there's a trader specifically watching my positions and manipulating things 😂
It wasn't until recently that I truly realized:
The market doesn't go against me; it's me doing things the wrong way.
On the surface, it seems like trading.
In reality, it's a battle against my own psychology.
Many times, the reason for losses isn't the technique, but rather these 'invisible psychological switches':
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Seeing others make money → Afraid of missing out → Forcing orders.
Seeing one's own unrealized losses → Afraid of discomfort → Unwilling to stop loss.
Seeing unrealized profits decrease → Afraid of giving back → Closing positions too early.
Seeing prices soar → Self-esteem is hurt → Blindly chasing high prices to regain face.
It sounds heart-wrenching, but it's too real.
When you treat placing orders as a battle to 'prove yourself' rather than an action of 'executing a strategy,'
Losses are not accidental, but inevitable.
The illusion that 'the market is specifically against me' is actually:
📌 Emotions take action first, and logic gets hijacked.
📌 Not placing orders based on signals, but based on feelings.
📌 Not to make money, but to relieve anxiety.
So we see this bizarre cycle:
The market is stagnant → Can't help but place orders.
Unrealized losses begin → Unwilling to stop loss.
Liquidation and leaving → The market takes off in the opposite direction.
Thus, the illusion that 'the market is targeting me' becomes firmer.
But the truth is—
The market doesn't even know you exist.
The only thing watching your position is your fear and desire.
So why do mature players seem to 'always go with the flow'?
Not because they predict better,
But it's because they are willing to 'do nothing.'
Wait when necessary.
Mistakes happen when they should.
Cut losses when necessary.
Profit when you should.
Cut emotions out of trading.
It sounds simple, but truly achieving it requires painful lessons many times.
I no longer fantasize about 'accurately predicting direction.'
I only do one thing:
Treat every order as executing a plan, not venting emotions.
From that moment on, the market no longer moved against me.
Not because it changed,
It's because I've finally stopped going against myself.
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If you see this, I want to ask a heart-wrenching and realistic question:
📍Your most recent loss, was it to the market, or to emotions?