ramped to 0.5% risk thursday.
first 2 days at full size.
psychology test passed.
wednesday 11/15 - final day 0.25% risk #
trades: 2 setups, both winners
result: +$680
mindset: calm, prepared for ramp tomorrow
thursday 11/16 - ramp day #
position size: doubled to 0.5% risk
trades: 3 setups
- SPX call spread (mean reversion): +$1,180 (would’ve been $590 at old size)
- QQQ put spread (mean reversion): +$840 (would’ve been $420 at old size)
- ES momentum: stopped out, -$520 (would’ve been -$260 at old size)
day total: +$1,500
psychology: felt losses harder but didn’t tilt
friday 11/17 - testing discipline #
trades: 4 setups
- TLT call spread: +$920
- SPX iron condor: +$680
- NQ momentum: +$1,240
- QQQ butterfly: stopped out, -$640
day total: +$2,200
key moment: loss on trade 4 didn’t trigger revenge trading
account status #
nov 14: $347,030
nov 17: $350,410
week 3 progress (wed-fri): +$3,380
november total: +$11,330 (+3.34%)
recovery tracking #
sept peak: $362,120
current: $350,410
still down: -$11,710 (-3.2%)
recovered from bottom: +$15,630 (4.7%)
2 weeks to full recovery at current pace
the psychology shift #
what i expected:
bigger size = more stress = worse decisions
what actually happened:
bigger size = more focus = better setups
why it works:
at 0.25% risk, losses felt manageable. almost too easy.
at 0.5% risk, every trade matters. can’t be sloppy.
forced better discipline.
loss management test #
thursday trade 3: -$520 (full size loss)
old me (september): revenge trade immediately, double size, chase it back
current me: stopped trading 10 minutes. walked away. came back calm. took break rest of day.
friday trade 4: -$640 (another full size loss)
reaction: noted it. reviewed setup. wasn’t revenge, was valid setup that failed. moved on.
no tilt.
no revenge.
no emotional spiral.
this is the test that matters.
what’s different now #
september disaster:
- loss → panic → bigger size → bigger loss → panic → revenge → disaster
- emotional cascade couldn’t stop
- $28k gone in 2 weeks
now:
- loss → pause → review → move on
- losses are data, not emotional events
- circuit breaker exists if needed (haven’t needed it)
stability = controlled response
living together impact #
thursday night after trading:
me: quiet at dinner
A.: “bad day?”
me: “no, good day. just processing full size risk again.”
A.: “you’re overthinking.”
me: “probably. made $1,500 today. account almost recovered.”
A.: “then why stressed?”
me: “because last time i felt confident, i lost $28k in 2 weeks.”
A.: “you’re not that person anymore. i see how you trade now. it’s different.”
she’s right.
different routine. different mindset. different execution.
filters saved me again #
blocked 6 potential trades wed-fri.
estimated saves: ~$1,200.
would’ve taken all 6 in september.
would’ve lost on 4 of them.
patience = performance.
strategy performance (full risk) #
mean reversion (6 trades):
- 5 wins, 1 loss (83%)
- net: +$2,680
- works at full size
momentum (3 trades):
- 2 wins, 1 loss (67%)
- net: +$700
- more selective at full size
week 3 plan #
sat-sun: no trading, thanksgiving prep week coming
mon 11/19: full trading schedule
tue 11/20: normal day
wed 11/21: normal day
thu 11/22: thanksgiving (market closed)
fri 11/23: early close (1pm ET)
4.5 day trading week next week
risk level decision #
staying at 0.5% risk through end of month.
criteria met:
- no emotional tilt ✓
- losses managed properly ✓
- win rate maintaining (82% week 3 so far) ✓
- routine stable ✓
december plan: maintain 0.5% risk as baseline
november projection #
2 weeks done: +$7,950
week 3 (3 days): +$3,380
november total: +$11,330
1.5 weeks left (minus thanksgiving)
projection: +$15-18k month
original target: +$5k
will beat target by 3-4x
reflection #
doubled position size.
lost $1,160 combined in 2 days.
didn’t tilt.
didn’t revenge trade.
this is the psychology test.
passed.
3:08am saturday. first 2 days full risk. +$3,380. losses managed without tilt. psychology holding. $11.7k from full recovery.
-AK