When Winning Feels Unsafe

NOTE – This is a post on mindset and emotion. It is not a trade idea or strategy designed to make you money. My intention is to help you preserve your capital, focus, and composure so you can trade your own system with calm and confidence.

You’re in profit.
The trade’s working.
Your system’s doing exactly what it should.

But instead of ease, something tightens.
A flicker of doubt.
You can hear that inner voice: “Don’t mess this up. You wouldn’t want to give this back now would you? How much is enough anyway?”

You scan the chart again.
Check your unrealized PnL.
Move the stop closer.
Start managing… what doesn’t need managing.

Here’s what’s really happening:
Your subconscious is remembering what happened the last time you saw success…

The time you relaxed and it reversed.
The time you felt proud and someone cut you down.
The time you won and it didn’t last.

So even when the market moves in your favour, part of you braces.
Waiting for the other shoe to drop.

So that voice saying, don’t mess this up - is actually a memory trying to protect you.
And in so doing, never really lets you feel safe

The point here is that your work as a trader is to be in the here and now. Not in the past.

Be cognisant to the cues of your memory and body that don’t work in your favour.

So when you notice tension rising,

Take one slow breath. Feel your feet on the floor. And repeat. ‘Right here, right now’.
And then …
Follow your trade plan.

Stay true to your trading plan.
Manage your risk
And let the market do what it does.