Profitable trading ≠ Freedom | Do you agree?

Most of traders come to this industry, because we were sold the idea that trading = freedom & you'll get rich with little to no effort, wouldn't you agree?
But most of us fail to do so, why?

My thesis here it that: it's the belief that trading = freedom is what makes you fail at trading, i think it's a fools' mindset to think that trading = freedom = good
People obsessed over freedom like they are born in the 17th century in a cotton field lolx
I get it, some of you distaste the idea of working 9-to-5 and being a company slave for 5 years and can't even buy a house
Just so you know, I worked 9-to-9 for 2 years from Monday-Saturday. Eventually I open my own shop and I believe I am richer than 99.9% of the traders here
I did become a company slave, but I was mastering my craft to reach my ultimate goal,, opening my own shop and freedom to pursue my hobbies, which is trading haha

I believe people who thinks that trading = freedom are lazy motherfuckers, they don't put in the work to master their craft, just like they hate collecting data
These people don't back-test , they don't do their homework. They use the ultimate power of hope , hope that one influencer they saw on Youtube will teach them , tell them all the secrets on how to make money in the market whilst that influencer is bagging cash from your hard earn income
Now I'm not saying that don't buy the courses that they sell, I'm implying that you should do your own due diligence by back-testing & collecting data

I believe there are only a few steps to become a profitable trader:
1. Collect Data
>> There are 2 types of data collection, back-testing & forward-testing.
>> How far of a back-testing session do you need? I'd say collect at least 500 trading data and evaluate it
>> I'm not a fan of forward-testing , i believe everyone should master & have a number on their strategy's probabilities before trading it with live money

2. Risk Appropriately
>> Only risking until the dollar amount / percentage amount felt "meaningless" . I myself feel the position is meaningless when i risk 0.5%
>> The amount you're risking will have a great impact on your psychology in trading

3. Realistic Expectation
>> The truth is, not every month is a winning month, let alone every position. So don't be quitting your 9-to-5 to trade fulltime before you can accept this truth
>> Trading does not and will never equal freedom, you have to put in the work, you have to gather data, you have to work crazy hours and maybe, you'll have a chance on this industry.

Below is the time i spent on FXreplay mastering my craft:

I agree with your point—most traders fail because they chase “freedom” instead of mastering the process.
Trading isn’t easy money; it requires data, discipline, and consistent effort.
Your focus on backtesting, risk management, and realistic expectations is exactly what matters.
Freedom comes later as a result of skill, not before it.
Respect for keeping it real

You’re hitting a nerve here, and honestly, I think you’re spot on. The whole “trading = freedom” narrative is basically a marketing gimmick. It sells the dream but hides the grind. People latch onto the fantasy because it’s easier than facing the reality that trading is just another profession- one that demands brutal discipline, data obsession, and a tolerance for boredom.

The way you framed it - collect data, risk appropriately, set realistic expectations- is exactly the kind of framework most people skip. They want dopamine, not spreadsheets. They want shortcuts, not 500 back-tested trades. And that’s why they blow up accounts.

Your story about grinding 9-to-9 before opening your own shop is actually the perfect counterexample. You didn’t chase “freedom” first; you built skills, structure, and resilience. That foundation is why you can now trade without being wrecked by emotions. Most people never build that base, so the market just exposes their laziness.

I especially like your point about risk feeling “meaningless.” That’s underrated wisdom. If your position size makes you sweat, you’re gambling. If it feels boring, you’re trading. The market rewards boring, not adrenaline junkies.

So yeah, I’d say the real failure point isn’t just the “freedom” mindset - it’s the refusal to treat trading like a craft. People want it to be a lottery ticket, not a skill. And the market punishes that mindset every single time.

I believe the freedom to do anything you want outside of work always comes after success in any industry.
But to achieve that freedom you have to be a master of your craft and obsess over it, without obsession -backed by data- you can't achieve mastery in trading.
Obsession without building concrete data is just the same as speculation. Do not confuse obsession with addiction.
In this industry, you should obsess over data & collecting data the right way rather than obsessing over learning new gimmicks

I'd say that most people get drawn to trading for the intermittent rewards it provides — similar to gambling. If they were instead told that success comes from patiently analyzing and observing the market, waiting for alignment, and focusing primarily on minimizing losses, many would quickly lose interest due to the lack of stimulation.

What's even more interesting is that mainstream "trading knowledge” seems almost designed to mask this gambling behavior with clever terminology:

1. Indicators = illusion of control
2. SL/TP = illusion of risk management
3. Strategies = illusion of edge
4. Psychology = post-failure cope

It took me over 10 years to deprogram and rewire my brain before I started getting consistency:

1. Stop seeking excitement and accept real trading is boredom from waiting for the market to come to me
2. Stop obsessing over outcome, start obsessing over process
3. Learn to read & analyze market behavior instead of relying on fixed strategies & indicators

Most traders aren’t trading — they’re gambling with better vocabulary.

This is a solid take. It’s refreshing to see someone call out the myth that trading automatically equals freedom. The way you broke down collecting data, back-testing, and managing risk resonates a lot. I especially like the focus on realistic expectations too many beginners underestimate how much work it actually takes to consistently be profitable. Those FXreplay hours really show your dedication. Definitely a reminder that mastery comes from effort, not just hope or shortcuts.

Freedom comes after years and year of getting knocked down, blowing up real and demo accounts, dusting yourself off, and going again.
IF, you are still trading, you are now in some sort of position to create an EA based on what you know is profitable.
THEN, after another year or so of refining, Freedom is most definitely within reach....

Freedom is actually mindset thing.

Most people have more than they need (= freedom).
Minority have enough (no greed, no need to have more and more and little bit more).