Taking a break from trading: when did you step away, and did it help?
Stepping away can be one of the best decisions a trader makes, whether after a drawdown, during a stressful stretch of life, or when the market no longer suits the method.
If you've taken a break:
- what made you decide to stop
- how long you stayed away, and what you did instead
- how you came back: smaller size, demo first, a rewritten plan
And if trading has started to feel compulsive, where you can't stop even when you want to, please talk to someone. Many problem gambling support services also help people whose trading has got out of control.
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A few approaches traders commonly describe for coming back after time away, for anyone considering a break.
- Come back smaller. Trading at a quarter or half your usual size for the first few weeks lets you rebuild the routine without the pressure of full risk.
- Rewrite the plan first. A break is a good time to write down, in one page, what you trade, when, and what makes you stop for the day.
- Set a review date. For example, 20 trades at reduced size, then compare the results with your journal from before the break.
And the most important point from the original post bears repeating. If you find you can't stay away even when you've decided to, or you're trading money you can't afford to lose, that's a reason to talk to someone. Problem gambling support services help people whose trading has got out of control too.
Members who've stepped away: what told you it was time to come back?
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