first week back trading.
easing in.
small gains.
the resume #
monday may 19: rest day, market review only
tuesday may 20: 2 trades, 50% size, +$420
wednesday may 21: 3 trades, 50% size, +$380
today (thursday): 3 trades, 75% size, +$480
week so far: +$1,280 across 8 trades
conditions favorable #
VIX: 15.8-16.4 range (optimal)
correlation: 0.58-0.63 (excellent)
volume: 3.4-3.7M (normal)
regime stability: 0.74 (very stable)
everything green.
should’ve been trading full size.
chose cautious ramp instead.
why the slow ramp #
19 days away.
no market monitoring.
no feel for current conditions.
wanted to confirm:
strategies still working ✓
execution quality maintained ✓
no regime shift during pause ✓
slippage normal ✓
all confirmed.
this approach comes from the r/algotrading position sizing discussion - consensus is always ramp back slowly after extended breaks.
ramping to 100% tomorrow.
trades breakdown #
options (6 trades):
SPX: 4 trades, 3 wins, +$680
QQQ: 2 trades, 2 wins, +$340
crypto (2 trades):
BTC momentum: 1 trade, 1 win, +$260
all winners.
small but positive.
slippage check #
week avg: 2.0 ticks
vs april avg: 2.0 ticks
vs february avg: 2.0 ticks
execution quality: excellent
chicago colo performing.
no degradation during pause.
account status #
may 19 (start): $456,420
may 22 (current): $457,700
week gain: +$1,280 (+0.28%)
ytd: +$19,900 (+4.54%)
annual pace: 13.7%
getting back on track.
rest of week plan #
friday may 23: full size resume (100%)
target friday: 2-3 trades, +$400-$600
weekly target (remaining): +$800-$1,200
monthly target: modest given 12 days paused
realistic may: +0.5% to +1.0%
married trading life #
no difference yet.
same routine.
wake up, breakfast with wife.
check markets.
execute trades.
dinner together 7pm.
A.: “how was trading?”
me: “small week, easing back in.”
A.: “still profitable?”
me: “yeah. +$1,280.”
A.: “honeymoon was more profitable.” (winks)
tomorrow #
ramping to full size.
conditions favorable.
strategies validated.
back to normal operations.
tonight (may 22, 2:08am) #
first week back trading after honeymoon. easing in: tuesday 50% size +$420, wednesday 50% +$380, thursday 75% +$480. week total +$1,280 across 8 trades. conditions excellent (VIX 15.8-16.4, corr 0.58-0.63). slippage 2.0 ticks (unchanged from april). account $457,700, ytd +4.54%. ramping to 100% size friday. married trading life same routine, A. says honeymoon more profitable (winks).
2:08am thursday. first week back post-honeymoon. tuesday-thursday: +$1,280 across 8 trades (all winners). eased in 50%→75% size, confirmed strategies working. VIX 15.8-16.4, corr 0.58-0.63, slippage 2.0 ticks (excellent). account $457,700, ytd +4.54%. ramping to 100% friday. married trading life: same routine, different ring on finger. A. approves.
-AK