Day Trading Journal

What if day trading is more than chasing profits? As a trader, I’ve faced the market’s chaos, only to find it mirrors my inner world—my fears, desires, and untamed ego. Beyond strategies, trading is a journey into the self, a path where psychology meets spirituality. The market, with its relentless pulse, isn’t just a game; it’s a teacher, demanding you transcend your limits to align with a deeper flow. Can you trade not for wealth, but for wisdom? This post explores how a spiritual trading mindset transforms day trading into a quest for self-mastery , blending introspection with universal truths to elevate your craft into art. The Market as a Spiritual Mirror The market is alive—a chaotic dance of forces that reflects your psyche and life’s hidden truths. It’s a sacred space where every trade reveals the self and connects you to something greater. Impermanence and Detachment Every trade, like a breath, fades. A winning streak dissolves, and losses linger only if you cling to them. Ps...

Transparency in Growing a Small Trading Account Day trading is about building a strong foundation, especially when growing a small account, and today’s SPY trading was a perfect example of disciplined execution. I aimed for a “one and done” day, securing a 6% gain on a single trade to close the week, setting myself up for success next week. My goal with this post is to offer transparency on how to scale a small account, using my session as an example, and share actionable tips for small-account traders. Economic News: Consumer Spending and PCE Update Today, U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.2% in April 2025, below expectations of 0.3%, reflecting cautious household behavior amid economic uncertainty. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, increased by 2.7% year-over-year, aligning with forecasts but signaling persistent inflationary pressures. Today’s SPY Trading Session: A Disciplined “One and Done” Day SPY opened wit...

Transparency in Growing a Small Trading Account Growing a small trading account is a marathon, not a sprint, and today’s SPY trading session proved that even breakeven days offer valuable lessons. I ended the day slightly above breakeven after two trades—a 10% loss followed by a 12% gain —demonstrating the importance of caution in choppy markets. My goal with this post is to offer transparency on how to scale a small account, using my session as an example, and share actionable tips for aspiring traders. Economic News: Initial Jobless Claims and GDP Update Today, the U.S. reported initial jobless claims at 218,000 for the week ending May 24, 2025, slightly above expectations of 215,000, signaling a stable but mildly softening labor market. Meanwhile, the second estimate of Q1 2025 GDP growth was revised down to 1.3% from 1.6%, reflecting slower consumer spending and raising concerns about economic momentum. Today’s SPY Trading Session: A Breakeven Day in a Choppy Market SPY gapped up ...

Not every trading day will be perfect, but discipline can still lead to profits when growing a tiny account. Today’s SPY trading session resulted in a modest 5% gain , showing that small, safe wins are key for small-account traders. My goal with this post is to offer transparency on how to scale a tiny account, using my session as an example, and share actionable tips to help aspiring traders succeed. Today’s SPY Trading Session: A Choppy Day with a Small Win SPY opened higher than yesterday’s close, showing early strength up to the 15-minute range formation. Once the 15-minute high formed, the price retraced sharply to the 15-minute low and broke down. I avoided the sudden downward break due to its volatility, opting instead to wait for a retest—a strategy I’ve refined from past sessions. The retest came with a solid color change , confirming my entry. I placed a SPY 5/28 590 put option (one contract, given my small account) at 1.47 , with a 10% stop-loss to manage risk. The price ...

Transparency in Growing a Tiny Trading Account Growing a tiny trading account requires patience, discipline, and a solid strategy. Today’s SPY trading session was a perfect example of how waiting for the right setup can lead to profits, even with a small account. I made a 33% gain on a single contract while managing risk, and I’m excited to share my journey using Robinhood Legend to grow my account. My goal with this post is to offer transparency on how to scale a small account, using my session as a case study, and provide actionable tips for aspiring traders. Today’s SPY Trading Session: Patience Pays Off SPY gapped up this morning, and during the pre-market, it confirmed a 1-hour reaction zone . However, I needed an intra-day reaction to mark it as a confirmed zone, so I stayed cautious. The first 3-minute candle hinted at a reversion, but a potential bounce zone below kept me from jumping in prematurely. I waited for the 15-minute range to solidify, which formed a decent upper br...

Turning Losses into Learning with Paper Trading Losing streaks can shake any trader’s confidence, but today’s SPY trading session reminded me of the power of paper trading . Despite multiple losses, I followed my rules, exited promptly, and—most importantly—protected my capital by practicing on a simulated account. My goal with this post is to show how paper trading can help you refocus, test new strategies, and improve profitability. Let’s dive into my session, lessons learned, and actionable steps to leverage paper trading for success. Today’s SPY Trading Session: A Losing Streak with Insights SPY opened with a decent gap down, generating a decent amount of space from the 200 EMA. I was eager to buy calls on a strong green candle or continuation, but held off, waiting for the 15-minute range to form. The price action was slow and directionless, testing my patience. First Trade Attempt: I anticipated a 15-minute high rejection and waited  for a color change to confirm. Still wai...

The Power of Simplicity in Trading After a challenging period, I returned to my original trading broker and system, determined to overcome psychological hurdles and boost profitability. Today’s SPY trading session was a pivotal moment to refocus, emphasizing simplicity and clarity. By sticking to reaction zone breaks and 15-minute retest color changes , I aimed to streamline my process. In this post, I’ll recap my session, share lessons learned, and provide actionable steps for traders to simplify their strategies and get back on track. Today’s SPY Trading Session: A Range-Bound Day SPY opened near yesterday’s close and traded choppily for the first 15 minutes. I marked the 15-minute high and low and identified key one-hour reaction zones to guide my trades. After the initial range formed, SPY broke above the 15-minute high, trending toward an upper reaction zone at 585. Trade Attempt: I planned a reaction zone break trade at 585, intending to enter with a 0 DTE call option. Howev...

Navigating a Challenging Week Day trading the SPY (S&P 500 ETF) tests your discipline, patience, and resilience. Today’s session was a rollercoaster of mixed signals , leaving me with two stopped-out trades and valuable lessons. After a week of multiple losses, I’m feeling the emotional weight, but I’m determined to reset and come back stronger. In this post, I’ll recap my SPY trading session, share why my trades didn’t work, and offer actionable tips for aspiring traders to overcome setbacks and rebuild confidence. Today’s SPY Trading Session: The Setup SPY opened with a gap down and spiked on the first 2-minute candle. Despite the initial surge, I stayed patient, noting that the 8, 21, and 48 EMAs were below the 200 EMA , signaling a higher probability of a pullback than a sustained upward move. I waited for the 15-minute range to form before acting. Key Observations: The gap down and early spike suggested volatility but not a clear trend. EMAs (8, 21, 48) below the 200 EMA indi...

Introduction to Today’s SPY Trading Session Trading the SPY (S&P 500 ETF) is both exhilarating and challenging. Today, I recorded my trading session to analyze price action, execute a well-planned trade, and reflect on the outcome. While the trade resulted in a loss, it offered critical lessons in risk management and psychological resilience . This post breaks down the session and shares actionable tips for aspiring traders to improve their strategies and mindsets. Initial Market Analysis SPY opened below the 200-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) but lacked a significant gap down to justify a call option entry. To avoid impulsive trades, I observed the price action for the first 15 minutes, marking the session’s high and low. This initial 15-minute range became the foundation for my trading plan. Key Observations: No immediate call entry due to insufficient gap down. Early price action was choppy, signaling market indecision. Patience was crucial to avoid low-probability trad...