Patience Tested: Lessons from a Forced SPY Options Trading Session

Growing a small options trading account demands patience and adaptability, and today’s trading session tested both, resulting in multiple losses but valuable lessons. 

Every trading session, even a challenging one, provides insights for improvement, and this post offers transparency on my experience to help you scale your account, using today’s struggles as a practical example. 

My goal is to share actionable strategies to refine your trading system and foster growth through disciplined reflection.

Economic News: U.S. Initial Jobless Claims and Market Influences

Today, U.S. initial jobless claims for the week ending June 14, 2025, dropped to 245,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week’s revised 250,000, aligning with economists’ expectations and indicating a stable labor market despite recent volatility. 

However, ongoing geopolitical tensions, including Israel’s missile strikes on Iran and President Trump’s tariff threats, are contributing to market uncertainty and influencing SPY’s choppy price action.

We will have FOMC news later today around 11 am PST, which may have some influence later today and into Friday, as it is a market holiday tomorrow.

Today’s SPY Trading Session: A Lesson in Patience and Precision

My goal today was to adopt a “one-and-done” approach on Wednesday, focusing on A+ setups and clarity, and waiting for opportunities to emerge naturally. 

SPY opened within the previous day’s 30-minute range, with a strong first 3-minute bearish candle. 

We formed a 15-minute range with a high of $598.47 and a low of $597.42. 

I added an 8 EMA to my chart, planning to refine my strategy over the next few days, using an extra indicator as a guide.

A solid 15-minute breakout occurred, but the pullback didn’t meet my entry criteria, as it approached the 8 EMA but didn't dip closer to the 15-minute zone as I would have liked. 

Although the tail bar formation at the 8 EMA could have been a decent entry point, I was wary of the 200 EMA and the 600 reaction zone above, and did not want to repeat yesterday's performance. 

The 20 EMA rose toward the 200 EMA, suggesting a potential uptrend, but I stayed patient. 

After trending past the 200 EMA, I eyed a 600 reaction zone/200 EMA retest for a color-change entry, though it proved challenging to wait.

I entered SPY 6/18 600 calls at $1.78 (Entry 1) after the retest, but was stopped out at $1.60 for a 10% loss.

No bounce. 

No continuation. 

Frustrated, I flipped to SPY 6/18 599 puts at $1.30 (Entry 2) on a color change below the 200 EMA, only to stop out at $1.17 for another 10% loss. 

Regrouping, I noticed two tail bars at the 200 EMA/600 reaction zone, suggesting support, and entered SPY 6/18 601 calls at $1.38 (Entry 3), exiting at $1.23 for a 10% loss. 

SPY 3-minute chart 6/18/25

My focus on the 200 EMA/600 zone lacked momentum, and my earlier patience morphed into overconfidence, misaligning my reality with the market’s.

Key Observations:

• Initial price action below the 200 EMA required caution, but my eagerness led to forced entries later in the day.

• Waiting for clarity after losses was a step forward, though all trades missed the mark.

• The tail bar at the 8 EMA presented a missed opportunity, underscoring the need for improved rule adherence and pattern recognition.

Order Fills 6/18/25

Post-Trade Reflection: Every Session Offers Lessons

Today’s session ended with three 10% losses, but every trading session provides valuable lessons. 

I adhered to exit strategies and risk mitigation, which is a positive development; yet, my execution and mindset still need improvement. 

My patience turned into a belief that I was owed a trade, a costly mistake. 

Moving forward, I’ll set rules: 

[1] Wait for color changes to close (avoiding false signals from Entries 1 and 2)

[2] Assess price location (e.g., momentum spent near the 200 EMA) and track these opportunities to refine my system.

Growing a Small Account: Steps to Scale with Discipline

Scaling a small account requires learning from tough days, and today’s session offers a roadmap. Here’s how I’m adapting, with tips for other small-account traders:

• Adopt a One-and-Done Mindset: Focus on a single, A+ setup, such as the 8 EMA tail bar, to avoid overtrading.

• Wait for Confirmed Entries: Ensure color changes close and align with market context, as I missed with Entries 1 and 2.

• Assess Market Momentum: Check price location and trend strength before entering, avoiding spent moves like today’s 200 EMA retest.

• Refine with Tracking: Analyze trades to identify missed opportunities, using data to improve consistency.

The Power of Transparency: Lessons Fuel Growth

Transparency means sharing struggles and insights—today’s losses underscore the danger of forcing trades, yet every session, even a tough one, builds resilience for a small account. 

These challenging days teach discipline and refinement, offering small-account traders a chance to grow through experience and better system design.

I am relying heavily on my Options Day Trading System Tracker to track trading sessions, such as today's, which, over time, combined with my own unique data, reveals growth opportunities. Click the link above if you need a more effective tracking system.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Traders

Every trading day provides insights for small accounts. Here are actionable takeaways:

• Limit to One Trade: A “one-and-done” approach prevents overtrading in unclear markets.

• Verify Color Changes: Wait for the candle to close to confirm setups, avoiding false signals.

• Evaluate Momentum: Assess if momentum supports your entry, as I overlooked today.

• Learn from Each Day: Use losses to refine rules and grow, turning challenges into progress.

Conclusion

Today’s SPY trading session tested my patience, ending with losses that underscored the importance of discipline. 

Every trading session, even a tough one, provides valuable lessons—refine your system, wait for clarity, and use these insights to steadily grow your small account.

How do you stay patient in tough markets? Share your strategies in the comments or connect with me on X for more trading insights!