Today I want to tell a pretty long and quite "bitter" story about my trading journey. Maybe many people will find it familiar because they are in a similar situation.

I used to be quite confident, with some decent trading achievements in regional and global tournaments since 2018. Making $1,000-$2,000 a day wasn't difficult for me back then. So I came up with the idea of becoming a full-time trader, thinking I could live off trading without needing any other job.

There were days I could make $5,000-$10k by going all-in, but almost all of it was withdrawn to reinvest. Every time I fell, I would stress out, go through a crisis, feel an unnamed sensation. I threw myself into becoming a full-time trader very aggressively. Day after day, I traded tirelessly, watched charts, pressed orders. But I suddenly realized that the more I traded, the more I lost, the lower my win rate, and my confidence evaporated. After just 5 months, I was out of money.

At one point, I even managed other people's funds, opening copy trades with the intention of still becoming a full-time trader. The result? Bankruptcy. Psychological issues I couldn't solve. It’s not just about trading skills or strategies, but the pressure of "food - clothing - rice - money" was overwhelming. When your livelihood depends on trading, everything changes.

My sleep at that time was almost restless. Staying up day and night, eyes glued to the chart. Herniated discs, stomach issues, nervous breakdowns, insomnia... and countless other illnesses it brought. I was afraid of becoming a full-time trader again, afraid of addiction, afraid of missing trades, afraid of repeating the past.

Until now, I still see the financial market as a "delicious dish" but not easy at all. It’s harder than any other field I know. And what I’ve learned is: you shouldn’t always pursue full-time trading as your only dream.

Currently, I still trade, but only as a side activity. I maintain a stable job outside, and trading is just a supplement. The result? I eat well, sleep soundly, and my health has improved. My income gradually increases from both sources.

Here’s how I do it:

Minimize thoughts and pressure related to trading as much as possible. Don’t touch anyone’s money — no funds, no copy trading, no entrusted accounts. Don’t rely on trading for living, and most importantly, don’t get addicted.

Looking back, I realize that full-time trading isn’t a solution for everyone. It might suit a few people, but for most, it’s a dangerous path if not prepared thoroughly. I’m sharing this story to reflect, so those who are thinking about becoming full-time traders can think more carefully.

This article is a bit long, but it’s the truth. G9 guys, go to bed early.