Little by little we are improving, that's great. "It's lonely at the top" I've heard this phrase before, it's good that you commented on it, it really is lonely. And it's good, I like it. Speaking of the photo, I'm now thinking about changing my profile photo haha, posting random photos of peaceful places, but I think I'll put another one on my profile. Thanks for the comment.
If you have the entire afternoon and evening then I would say just go out at that time and do whatever you like. Like i said i trade US session but i live in Europe so i have plenty of free time during the morning and early afternoon and during that time i often go to a local animal shelter to walk their dogs with a group of people, i go for a swim, to the gym, lunch with friends/family, ... Trading is lonely, so i compensate for that in my free time by going out and socialising a lot.
Some of the loneliest people I encounter are actually couples at excellent, romantic restaurants. Yet each has their head down staring at a "smart" phone with a dull, lifeless expression, zombie scrolling. Indeed "Life" around the world has changed for most, loneliness is a growing epidemic, especially with the youngest generations. Just another reason I don't own one of those NSA tracking devices ... As the old saying goes, Know yourself. Many people cover up loneliness with meaningless socializing that then leaves them feeling empty afterwards, never getting to know others and themselves better due to not being Real. Being a solo trader can FORCE one to become Real! I spend quite a bit of time in deep wilderness, physically alone, but not lonely, instead filled with awe and gratitude. One year I went to Alaska with a 105 LBS pack, a large caliber gun and a camera bag for weeks. When you really Know yourself from pushing your limits to the max, (similar to trading), and facing wounds and overcoming weaknesses, and are at a deep peace with your inner self, it is much harder then to be lonely. I have a handful of True Friends I can trust with my life, and we truly know and trust each other. One is like a daughter to me. When I am finished with trading for the day or the week, I can touch upon some of my solo "market wilderness" experiences with them, and then to some degree they understand. And all of them are people of strong character, which experience has shown me is necessary for long term success in trading. You never know, maybe I will team up with one or two of them in a trading venture down the road... either way, I would not switch trading Futures for a "normal" job working with others again, mostly to be around modern people, no way!
%% I tend to end trading [investments trend longer/ usually LOL]3:00-/5:00= post market USA Central Standard Time . Thailand grows some great pineapples, like HI-USA does; I like the way they used to train elephants to log in Thailand, so cool ; some in USA use a Green John Deer skidder + yellow CAT log skidder...................................... Actually I don't think its lonely @ top; even though ,sure seems that way if its a 3 year Hi/SPY or VOO monthly top, in hindsight LOL ,
My son in law codes for 8-10 hours a day (remotely)...Locks himself in his room. The junior coders below him make a mess...He cleans it up!! Each break he connects with his wife and kids. Goes to the gym and does exercise/yoga. He could leave the room at anytime...Unless it is a major conference. He does D & D for relaxation (I don't get it...Different generation) and walking. My wife and I are investors. 98% of our trades are approved by each other. No finger pointing about what was done and why. It helps with communications and verbalizing our thought processes. I go to two 12 step support groups each week...Anonymity and confidentiality is required. One guy breaks this trust. When he goes home, he talks with his dog about what was spoken in groups...We let it slide.
I walked into church last week...In between services. The only three people I saw, had their faces in their phones!! What's not right with this story??
Yes, for a retail trader it's a lonely path. Both the actual trading and associated research, but also the fact nobody in real life understands what you're going through. I think it takes a special type of person to be an independent retail trader. It's definitely not for everyone.
The church is what is not right. It is a place full of charlatans who claim to have access to a made-up god.
Lonely unless you want to share your trading system and trade together. The only time that I have felt comfortable talking and hanging out with other traders is with traders who already got edge (either trade for living or really wealthy from trading). Otherwise, it has always ended up being nagged or provoked by the wannabe traders.