Journal

Field notes from a
naked chart.

Clean naked 5-minute Nasdaq chart ranging after a strong push higher

Psychology2026-08-18

The Bear

Market, Show, Who Cares, Same Thing.

Naked NQ chart showing a momentum entry above a bull bar closing near its high

Strategy2026-08-14

Only Take the Best Trades

Al Brooks on taking fewer, better trades. Mark Douglas on trading without fear. Mix the two and you stop being a scaredy-cat.

Naked candlestick chart with marked entries and exits

Strategy2026-08-11

You need to up your TA.

The money don't lie. Psychology only locks in once your technical analysis is solid. Here's what an edge actually is — and why it beats hoping.

Naked NQ chart with clean price action, no indicators

Strategy2026-07-11

Price Action vs. Indicators

Indicators are just math on price you already have. Here's why I trade naked charts on NQ and what actually replaced every squiggle on my screen.

Annotated price action chart showing trend structure, wedges, and reversal setups

Psychology2026-07-10

Revenge Trading

Here's why it's still the fastest way to destroy a trading account — and the simple choice that finally broke the cycle.

Clean NQ chart with a small, quiet winning trade

Trades2026-07-09

What a Winning Day Actually Looks Like (And Why It Feels Boring)

Real winning days in futures trading are quiet, small, and forgettable. Here's what mine actually look like — and why that's the whole point.

NQ chart with multiple setups ignored except one

Psychology2026-07-08

Most 'Discipline' Talk in Trading Is Bullshit

Trading Twitter loves the word discipline. Most of it is just coping. Here's what actually keeps me from blowing up — and it isn't a morning routine.

NQ 5-minute chart where price finally reversed at the planned level

Strategy2026-07-07

The Day Sticking to the Plan Felt Stupid (And Paid Me Anyway)

Sometimes the plan looks wrong in real time. I stuck with it, felt like an idiot for two hours, and got paid. A short story about day trading NQ.

NQ chart showing two trades — a loss and a break-even scratch

Psychology2026-07-06

I'm a Loser. But the Best Loser Wins.

A raw look at a brutal trading day, accepting losses, and why the best traders are the ones who lose well. Real talk on trading psychology and sticking to your plan.

15-minute NQ chart showing a clean support entry with $405 profit

Strategy2026-07-05

Why Most Traders Miss the Best Entries (And How I Don't)

The obvious trade is usually the right one. A look at a clean 15m support setup on NQ and why waiting for confirmation costs you money.

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