Every time, I silently tell myself, “This time is really different,” but what happens? It’s the same old script all over again.

I knew this would happen, I should have gotten out earlier, if only I had… But every time, I get greedy for that last bit. Missed it by a minute, missed it by a few points, and watched my profits vanish before my eyes. When the price goes up, I think it can go higher; when it drops, I’m convinced, “It’ll definitely keep falling”—slapping myself back and forth.

Position sizing out of control, breaking my own system, discipline thrown out the window. Only after losing it all do I remember, “Next time I’ll take it slow,” or “This time I really have to control my position size”—how many ‘next times’ have I promised myself?

The hardest part isn’t the number in the account, it’s not being able to tell my family. The ones I let down are always my loved ones. Some people call this value investing, “Let’s see in five years”? Please, I can’t even fool myself anymore.