Mostly seconds and minutes on my scalps, then hours on slower times .. day only if I go on some perceived very good position entry.
When a move that started off very good only gave +7 and could have given +30 ... that's when the urge to go blasting in reversing again gets flowing through the veins like some trading drug. That's a good sign to take a little break from the screen again, getting tired at watching a lot.
Tell me about it! I did that earlier today--several times! I was long at 1.3210 (March) and took profits at 42. Then revenge trading began! I suggest that you go and wash your face with very cold water Edit: I made a "proper" short at 78(March) and I will follow my screen/system. Now this time, my demons are telling me that all the good moves are finished today and to take my 9 ticks profits! I tell you, sometimes I think a monkey can trade better than me by just typing randomly at the keyboard I'm my biggest enemy Joking ahead, definetely I can make more money ( lose less), if I traded randomly by flipping a coin and entering short/long with 10 ticks stop and 20 ticks target.
I think a reverse is here at mid-low 60s .. I got in for a measly 3 ticks .. it then went a little higher still - of course. I think 60s is a low because of USDJPY correlation. That is in the short-short term of things of course. I couldn't stay away for long - especially when it added insult to injury and went almost 40 ticks on the last move where I picked the top perfectly. That is the contrarian in me talking, so it doesn't make for any good positions most of the time.
I'll trail my short, it's at b/e now. Yes it might bounce from here but if it doesn't we might see another free fall... Edit: This is why I want to go mechanical. I don't want to make these top/bottom decisions and then start revenge trading with high leverage.
That is how the trading bug races through the pants ... uneasy trading and uneasy losses; wretched uncertainties. Indiscriminate trading on back of previous results is bad, I cut the last trade very quickly because I got an incomplete fill - that made me annoyed and I just got out at "first chance". Still +10 on 2 trades is better than a negative. I have been very careful today - and let the big moves play out - and actually waited some reaction to oil inventories, silly me ... it had all been played out before hand. Not the main reason for today's move - just mingled in there.
This is the problem with discretionary trading. There is no 100% perfection. There'll be always emotions boiling. Some days when I make great $$$, I'm usually down mentally because I only made 50% off what I could! It usually creeps up on me that evening and effects next day's trading. Terrible mind games....
Yes, I'm pretty convinced that the EURUSD will go up some from 60s here ... but that's pretty simplistic - based on JPYUSD charts and EURUSD charts. It does seem like a little range - and some caution, exhaustion after big moves and european close. edit: 60s mentioned here are on 6EH5 - the march contract which is spot EURUSD +10 pips. edit2: seems like I have a good hunch-sensor today, but am too tired to exploit it. My stomach now needs a refill - as hunger is the thing bothering it. Better throw in some tacos and a lot of jalapeños to hurt it some more. That will at least give me a little mind-rest.