After messing around in the crypto market for so many years, I think the most fortunate thing is not the small amount of money in the account, but that I haven't been completely knocked out by this game.

Two years ago, I experienced a situation where my account was directly halved. During that time, I was in a terrible state—insomnia lasting until dawn, lying in bed with the first reaction being to reach for my phone to check the charts, as if I were addicted.

Later, I gradually saw a turning point. I realized a very painful truth: retail investors lose money not because they are not diligent or smart enough, but because they put all their energy into fighting against the market. That kind of confrontation is always against human nature.

There are two common pitfalls, and nine out of ten people fall into them.

The first is holding on tightly after a decline, repeatedly telling oneself "just a little more patience, I’ll break even," as if waiting for some magical moment to appear. The second is panicking at the slightest rise, fearing profits will fly away with wings, and immediately setting a take-profit order.

But the market won't give way just because you're lucky or have good luck. In fact, those who truly survive do this: when the trend is favorable, they have the ability to hold; when there's a pullback and a breakdown, they have the courage to admit defeat. This is not some profound knowledge; it’s about extending the profit cycle and minimizing the scale of losses. Doing so is not for overnight riches, but to ensure you’re not completely dragged away by the market.

There’s also a key signal many people overlook—volume. Think of it as the market’s "breathing."

Coins with decreasing volume and slow upward movement often have room for imagination later; once they break below a key support level but then consolidate with decreasing volume, that’s usually a second chance to get in. Conversely, if volume increases but the price doesn’t move, be cautious—nobody really believes in it; a sudden surge with high volume looks exciting, but it’s likely to be followed by sharp oscillations or even a direct pullback.

I’ve also fallen into many pits regarding position sizing. In my early years, I blindly believed that "more assets mean more risk diversification." But in reality? The more assets, the more chaotic the mindset, and eventually, I couldn’t help but start making reckless moves. Now, I believe two or three are enough. The real issue isn’t the complexity of the market, but my own self-control.

Short-term trading isn’t completely without rules either. There are often rebound opportunities after sharp declines, which many people overlook. Sudden upward moves near the close usually lead to a correction the next day. These details are actually repetitive.

Finally, two life-saving tips.

One is to stay out of the market completely after making big profits—that’s crucial. The market’s most ruthless point is right here—just when you think you’ve "got it," ready to make a big move, it reaches out and harvests your inflated mindset. Another is, don’t force yourself to fight when you’re losing money; wait until your emotions settle and your rhythm clears before re-entering.

The market is always there; the hardest part is controlling that pair of hands that always want to click randomly.