How do you explain your losses to yourself?

The story we tell about a loss determines the next trade. "The market manipulated me" leads to revenge; "my stop was too tight for the range" leads to a fix. Same loss, different futures.

What's your honest self-talk after a loss?

• the explanation you used to reach for
• the one you use now
• how you catch yourself telling the comfortable version

The journal guide keeps the explanations honest.