first trading day after move-in.
back to normal schedule.
wednesday 11/1 - move-in day (no trading) #
took day off for logistics.
furniture, boxes, settling in.
resumed thursday 11/2.
thursday 11/2 trades #
morning routine: different. not alone anymore.
trades:
- SPX call spread (mean reversion): +$520
- QQQ put spread (mean reversion): +$380
- NQ momentum: stopped out, -$240
day total: +$660
back to work.
account status #
oct 31: $339,080
nov 2: $339,740
november start: +$660 (0.19%)
recovery progress #
sept peak: $362,120
oct bottom: $334,780 (after $25k disaster)
current: $339,740
recovered from bottom: +$4,960 (1.5%)
still down from peak: -$22,380 (-6.2%)
on track for full recovery by christmas.
november trading goals #
financial: +$5,000 month target (realistic recovery pace)
strategy: maintain 0.25% risk through nov 15, then ramp to 0.5% if stable
rules: 3 losing days = 1 week off (boundary working, keeping it)
win rate target: 70%+ (currently 76% over last 2 weeks)
what’s different #
morning routine changed.
used to: wake up 4am alone, trade prep in silence.
now: wake up 4am, someone else in bed, quiet trade prep at desk.
works fine.
she sleeps through market open.
i trade at my desk.
she wakes up around 7am.
routine adapted.
position sizing staying conservative #
still at 0.25% risk per trade.
half my normal size.
why:
- major life change (moving in together)
- still recovering from $28k drawdown
- building confidence back
- proving consistency
plan: increase to 0.5% mid-november if:
- no losing streaks
- emotional stability maintained
- routine solidified
strategy focus #
mean reversion (primary):
- TLT bonds, SPX/QQQ options
- 0.25% risk, tight stops
- targeting 2R exits
momentum (secondary):
- NQ, ES futures
- selective entries only
- volume confirmation required
crypto (minimal):
- paused for now
- focus on equity strategies
- resume december maybe
this week’s plan #
fri 11/3: trade normal schedule
sat-sun: no trading, settling into new routine
mon 11/6: resume, targeting 3-4 trades
tue 11/7: normal trading day
week target: +$2,000 (conservative)
workspace setup #
my desk: same location, same setup
her desk: corner by window, dual monitors
both coding/trading: works well
no interference.
separate spaces in same room.
risk management focus #
filters enforced:
- vol detection (VIX >30 = pause)
- correlation check (max 2 correlated positions)
- time of day (no entries last 30 min)
- gap detection (avoid false breakouts)
all filters active.
saved me from 2 bad trades this week already.
looking ahead #
november target: +$5k month
december target: full recovery to $362k+ (need $22k more)
january 2024: new year, fresh start, profitable baseline
long-term: avoid september/october disasters, consistent monthly gains
tonight #
desk in corner occupied now.
dual monitors glowing.
her coding setup.
apartment different but trading same.
focus maintained.
system followed.
3:45am friday. first trading day after move-in. +$660 thursday. routine adapted. workspace separated. back to normal schedule.
-AK