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Mental health and trading: should I pack it in?

  • #21
  • Jun 12, 2012 10:03pm Jun 12, 2012 10:03pm
Quoting TGpop
Hello, im 18 years old, and have put too much time into forex trading in the past 4 years. My conservative estimate is 5000 hours.
How quality is those 5K? You've an edge, only I doubt you plumbed the depths of the couple of areas left to retail, such as ea/indicator programming or price-action pattern studies, much less the divisions a large team working for trading may have.

As noted, trading has great life skill values, which will carry you through the rest of your life.

The market is said to be manic depressive, so objective distance is a must.
That you're going through anxiety/fear and "lust for recognition"/greed, is similar to what we all must fight to trade well.
Depression, according to here, can be more of a relief that can help you see your reality more clearly.

Devote less time and more intensity with daily practice, writing down what you discover; while trading is more independent for most, sharing this may help you improve your general mindset.
  • #22
  • Jun 12, 2012 10:22pm Jun 12, 2012 10:22pm
how can one start trading at 14 yrs? something not right.

however Livermore started at 15 yrs and made more money than most people who had been at it for years. I believe the younger the mind the better.
wo-yoy! wo-yoy! wo-yoy! wo-yoi! wo-yoy-yoy-yoy!
  • #23
  • Jun 12, 2012 10:41pm Jun 12, 2012 10:41pm
something is not right. if you are so good, you profit in any market condition. you wouldn't have any problem with anxiety. you would be happy for all the money you make.
  • #24
  • Jun 12, 2012 10:42pm Jun 12, 2012 10:42pm
could be one of those threads... But if this guys legit all I can say is that I wish I had his attitude at 18 ... Listen up kids..

And trading will not make your penis any larger... True story.
Time hides Nothing
  • #25
  • Jun 13, 2012 5:53am Jun 13, 2012 5:53am
Ha-ha Turveyd, indeed the power of money and the power of woman ... make one man weep, make another man sing ...

What if we had to choose between the two? Live penniless but with the WOMAN or be filthy rich but no woman anywhere near. Ahh, don't even want to think about these.

Quoting Turveyd
There is only 1 thing more addictive than trading it will soon distract and annoy you way more than trading ever could. WOMAN!!!!
forget about tomorrow, just steal away into the night
  • #26
  • Jun 13, 2012 5:58am Jun 13, 2012 5:58am
Quoting spekitox

What if we had to choose between the two? Live penniless but with the WOMAN or be filthy rich but no woman anywhere near. Ahh, don't even want to think about these.
My answer to that, kinda varies on a daily basis I think most days would be rich and alone ( I can still get hookers right ?? definately if yes to hookers )

I'd likely be filthy rich already if it wasn't for woman
Nothing to it, but to do it!!! Stick to the plan FOOL!!!!
  • #27
  • Jun 13, 2012 6:01am Jun 13, 2012 6:01am
Quoting pemully
how can one start trading at 14 yrs? something not right.

however Livermore started at 15 yrs and made more money than most people who had been at it for years. I believe the younger the mind the better.

You just get your parents or a older brother or something to set you up an account, every problem is solveable.

I had a horse system and used to make money aged 14, mates older brother used to place the bets for a cut of the profits.
Nothing to it, but to do it!!! Stick to the plan FOOL!!!!
  • #28
  • Jun 13, 2012 6:15am Jun 13, 2012 6:15am
Ha-ha, I guess you're not the only one.

Quoting Turveyd
I'd likely be filthy rich already if it wasn't for woman
forget about tomorrow, just steal away into the night
  • #29
  • Jun 13, 2012 6:23am Jun 13, 2012 6:23am
Quoting spekitox
Ha-ha, I guess you're not the only one.

Take our advice kids, avoid woman keep trading and stay living at home £20 per week for everything sounds bad when your young, but bills and everything come to £400 per week these days.
Nothing to it, but to do it!!! Stick to the plan FOOL!!!!
  • #30
  • Jun 13, 2012 1:47pm Jun 13, 2012 1:47pm
Quoting Turveyd
You just get your parents or a older brother or something to set you up an account, every problem is solveable.

I had a horse system and used to make money aged 14, mates older brother used to place the bets for a cut of the profits.
I demoed then opened an account when I turned 18
  • #31
  • Jun 14, 2012 2:09am Jun 14, 2012 2:09am
Quoting ForexDao
something is not right. if you are so good, you profit in any market condition. you wouldn't have any problem with anxiety. you would be happy for all the money you make.
how do we know what his life is like?

to the 18 year old

ignore trading for a bit focus on trying not be so anxious and come back later with fresh eyes. good trade?
  • #32
  • Jun 14, 2012 2:21am Jun 14, 2012 2:21am
Quoting ForexDao
something is not right. if you are so good, you profit in any market condition. you wouldn't have any problem with anxiety. you would be happy for all the money you make.
Not necessarily true.

If you read his post more closely he did say that the reasons were outside of the trading arena.

He also explained his funds are limited.
Time hides Nothing
  • #33
  • Jun 14, 2012 2:21am Jun 14, 2012 2:21am
There were frustrating times for me when I was learning - and I learned some hard lessons. Whether trading is for you or not is a decision only you can make. If it affects your health then that should be treated as a priority. Health aside though, I think the experience that comes with time is worth it. I know I'm sure glad I never "threw in the towel".
  • #34
  • Jun 14, 2012 3:18am Jun 14, 2012 3:18am
I too have had all these experiences, self worth issues. They can be very similar to money. Just cant get enough no matter the method of accumulation or amount amassed.

I was a top athlete and felt rubbish. Became an airline pilot and still felt rubbish.

Learned about markets and started trading and taken on as adviser by brokerage house in the 80's. Felt better about myself as a pilot. Went full time into trading with broker. Did well, still felt rubbish.

Became a therapist and had a very busy practice but still felt rubbish about myself. Realised whilst a therapist that all therapy is just massaging the ego and thus really a waste of time. Life as we live it just revolves around reactivity which is the ego grasping or repelling relative to its own constructs.

Gotta move beyond this and for myself this has included a lot of time on arduous mindfulness retreats, the essence of which are to disengage from this thing that drives us all crazy. This has and is of great benefit to me and all who move in this direction.

What ever i may be i am not the ego. This is an important discovery. As we move further away from this thing, and it is a very slow journey so life becomes increasingly more tolerable. Everything can remain the same, same interests, occupations, pass-times. Its all a lot more comfortable and less important. Particularly myself.

Let go. Happy wishes.
  • #35
  • Last Post: Edited 9:37am Jun 14, 2012 9:07am | Edited 9:37am
You were addressing the thread starter. I'd hope to give my personal experience with this:

Quoting Tradeawave
Life as we live it just revolves around reactivity which is the ego grasping or repelling relative to its own constructs. ...mindfulness ...to disengage from this thing that drives us all crazy... i am not the ego.... more comfortable and less important. Particularly myself.
Let go.
I've read of others who turn to spirituality when trading.
Accepting the possibility of being overwhelmed as in the nature of life,
either through coupling with a higher being who is beyond ordinary personalities' reactions with others
or through recognizing as mere fact that reactivity is a minor thing in the marketplace compared to good reasons knowing how the market will likely go in one's trade.

I am, most likely, in an earlier phase of trading than you, one which reflects this post.
I struggle with the latter approach of 'recognition as mere fact', my ego instead being detached yet strong enough to create unexpected turns in ordinary life. So I must and do have a powerful filter to deal with constant, current alternative, and recent large events either restrictive in the turn it accepts or open in the opportunities it offers, so I can and do connect on an even keel with trading and my trading reasons method.
That trading must recognize harsh realities and project the future, is incorporated into my trading method. Consistency may lead to where you say, over time.



-- Sorry if this post detracts from the thread's purpose.
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