I love trading and everything about it. Waking up to check patterns and trying to figure out the best setups has become my favorite thing to do. It feels like my hobby.
Over time, I’ve learned a lot about myself and how to overcome challenges most people don’t really talk about. Still, there are days when I think about quitting, especially because I haven’t been able to make consistent profits to go full-time yet.
Recently, I lost my job. I do have some savings to get me through till next year, and I’m already looking for another job for stable income. But now I’m wondering, should I take a leap of faith and push myself to be a profitable trader while I’m searching for work? Or should I drop the idea of trading full-time and go for something stable like becoming a CDL A truck driver?
I’ve been trading for a year and six months, switching between live accounts and demo to figure out my edge. I’m open to all kinds of feedback and would really appreciate your thoughts on what to do!
If you’re basing your trades on past patterns from historical charts and expecting that to predict the future, you might want to rethink your strategy.
For example, if gas prices were $2 in September, $2.50 in October, $3 in November, and $2.40 now, would you know the price for March? Probably not, because the past doesn’t guarantee the future.
You might think marking support and resistance lines or spotting liquidity zones will give you an edge, but those show where prices were, not where they are. Similarly, relying on moving averages crossing or other technical signals might not give you the consistency you’re looking for.
It also sounds like you’re more into the act of trading itself rather than the money-making part. That’s fine for a hobby, but as a career, it’s a problem. Successful trading is boring. It’s repetitive. If you think it’s exciting, you’re probably doing it wrong.
@Tatum
Good point about relying too much on patterns! But I do know someone who uses candlesticks in their algorithm-based trading strategy. They backtest a lot and adjust based on historical data. So while it’s not for everyone, there might still be value in candlesticks if used the right way.
If trading was easy, everyone would do it. I used to wonder why people bother with jobs or businesses when they could just learn trading online and make money from home. Turns out, it’s way harder than it looks. It’s like trying to get into the NBA or become a famous musician. A few people succeed, but millions try and fail.
Why not try both for now? Keep trading while looking for a job or side hustle. You don’t have to drive a truck. Look into things like medical courier gigs or even delivering lost airline luggage if you’re near a big city. Some of those jobs let you set your own hours, so you could still trade. With trucking, you might not have the time or flexibility for trading.
You’ll only know if it’s worth it after trying. I think it’s worth it, but I’m not consistently profitable yet. Some people will make it, and some won’t.
To trade comfortably, you need other income streams. Trading doesn’t guarantee results on a set timeline. Your take-profit might hit tomorrow, next week, or next month—or it might not hit at all. If you have fixed expenses, don’t rely on trading alone to cover them.
It’s tough, no doubt about it. Emotionally and financially, trading can be brutal. But I stick with it because I believe it’s my best chance to become financially independent.