W. T. F. was that?

Well, that was a fun introduction to trading

hashtag lol

So, it's been 10 months since my last post. I didn't get rekt like most freshmen, but only by pure luck and some quick action based on well-timed advice from some perfectly positioned mentors. I did NOT take a vacation from crypto. I have continued to trade and learn during this bear market. I started this journey during one of the craziest bull markets of all time and it wasn't long before I began thinking "this is too easy". I started researching techniques to survive in a bear market almost immediately. Even with no knowledge of market cycles or any reason to think it might end. I knew there was no such thing as 'easy money' and If I could make $1000/day blindfolded with no knowledge of how charts work, something must be wrong. Almost immediately after I made this post the market started faltering and things got real tough real fast.

I had some rough times being that I was a total noob, but I really dug into learning from the people around me and practicing analysis. To my surprise, I learned that the basics weren't really that difficult. Price action, Support and Resistance and Volume. From there, all the indicators started to make sense and my understanding of the markets begin to take shape. It didn't take long for me to reconsider the immature goal of trying to grow a modest sum into $1M. I'm slightly embarrassed by the attempt, but also heartened to read back through my journal and see how much I've grown and how much I've learned.

I have a natural curiosity and love for data analysis and visualization and before long I was pulling data, manipulating it in spreadsheets and experimenting with pine script. At first just to get a better understanding of how traditional indicators worked, then I began trying to visualize some of my own ideas about price action/volume.

My main project during the last few months has been a charting system I invented called Voodoo. I've spent a lot of time integrating this spreadsheet with a local python script that allows me to view this interpretation of data on timescales ranging from daily - 5 minute intervals.

Additionally, I have made some really great friends during this trip down from $20k and I have managed to transition from one type of meme to another. In my first meme life, I was an idiot newbie high on a raging bull market. After entering my chrysalis and diving deep into my own psyche and objectively analyzing my biggest weaknesses and discovering my strengths I have emerged as a new kind of meme. I am now the guy who thinks he knows enough to help other people in their journey from clueless caterpillars to profitable butterflies.

I formed a very close-knit bond with a few traders and over time we recognized a significant gap in the crypto community. We decided to form our own community with a focus on open discussion and education. Over the last few months, we have been developing this community along with some scalable tools and resources and I'm very proud of the result so far. We are called Buena Vista Crypto Club and you can find out more information here.

While our core business model is to grow a flourishing premium community, my pride and joy is our free telegram group where we talk about crypto, life and analyze the market together, growing and learning as a group. I have learned a lot from our group members and I have seen people progress from knowing nothing to being competent chartists. All much faster than I was able to. I have been able to help people avoid the same mistakes I made and learn the lessons in a much less brutal way then I did. It is rewarding and fulfilling.

I've come through the fire. I'm still here. And I still have my funds. I've discovered who I am as a trader and I am going to start blogging here again. I may talk about charts, our community or my experiences. But one thing I will not be talking about is how much money I am making or losing. I am glad that this information is on the blockchain and immutable. It serves as a time capsule into my past and, I believe, a microcosm of the majority of new traders. If you are frustrated with your journey, know that it is possible to improve. If you know nothing, know that it is possible to learn more than you ever thought possible. All it takes is dedication, research, and a helping hand. :)

I will also be dispensing with my tagline.. but my advice remains the same. Don't trade like an idiot!