Today, as we celebrate America’s Independence Day, it’s a fitting moment to reflect on the broader concept of freedom and what it means in various aspects of our lives. This day not only marks the birth of a nation but also serves as a reminder of the personal quests for freedom we all undertake.

Trading, much like the pursuit of freedom, is a journey filled with both triumphs and challenges. Over the years, trading has offered many rewards, but it has also presented significant struggles. Recently, for instance, there was a period of “catastrophic losses” spanning two days. Fortunately, a well-built account provided a cushion to recover, but the experience was undeniably painful. These losses were a stark reminder of the pitfalls that come with straying from disciplined practices.

The past six months have been particularly challenging, marked by performance that fell short of expectations. In an attempt to compensate, there was a tendency to force trades—both in size and frequency. This approach proved to be a grave error, leading to a situation where two days of missteps wiped out six months of gains and then some. The lesson here is clear: when something isn’t working, doubling down can be a fatal mistake.

After much reflection and analysis, it became evident that the current market dynamics were not fully understood. Interestingly, a review of past trading systems from 15 years ago suggested that adhering to those old strategies would have been highly profitable in today’s market. Therefore, the plan for the next six months is to take a step back, ease into trading, and apply those tried-and-true methods from the past.

Today, as we celebrate freedom, it’s important to acknowledge the multifaceted nature of this concept. Freedom is not only a national ideal but also a global aspiration and a personal endeavor. While America faces ongoing challenges to its freedoms, many parts of the world have yet to experience true liberty. In our personal lives, achieving freedom requires a daily commitment to making wise decisions, learning from past mistakes, and continually striving for improvement.

Let’s celebrate freedom today with a renewed commitment to the principles that sustain it, both in our nation and in our personal pursuits.