finally looked at charts.
markets didn’t care that I was gone.
what happened aug 9-16 #
SPX: opened 5,482, closed 5,519 (+0.67%)
QQQ: opened 472.30, closed 478.80 (+1.38%)
VIX: ranged 14.2 to 15.8, ended at 14.9
BTC: 64,200 → 66,800 (+4.0%)
basically a quiet, slightly bullish week.
nothing dramatic.
what I would have traded #
ran my signals retroactively.
signals generated: 6
estimated gains if traded: +$1,800 to +$2,400
what I actually made: $0 (was on cruise)
do I regret it? #
no.
missed maybe $2k in gains.
gained the best week of my life with A.
not even close.
would make that trade every time.
the realization #
first extended break since starting algo trading in 2020.
5 years of never more than 2 days away from charts.
what I learned:
markets don’t need me watching them.
my edge doesn’t disappear in a week.
taking breaks is sustainable.
account status #
current: $478,420 (unchanged - was flat)
ytd: +$40,620 (+9.44%)
august: +$1,380 (+0.29%)
missed opportunity cost: ~$2,000
mental health gained: priceless (I know, I know)
restarting tomorrow #
will reopen positions tuesday.
ease back in. don’t force trades.
market’s been quiet. should stay that way through end of august.
tonight #
caught up on a week of price action. missed maybe $2k in gains. worth it. markets didn’t implode without me watching. first real break in 5 years. will start trading again tomorrow. account $478,420.
2:34am monday. market catchup post-cruise. SPX +0.67%, QQQ +1.38%, BTC +4%. missed ~$2k in signals. don’t care. best week of my life with A. was worth way more than $2k.
-AK