The hardest part for trend traders is often not the downturns, but the waiting. Boring sideways markets account for at least 80% of market time. For my low-frequency, low-leverage trading style, most of the time means doing nothing—only acting within the trend I understand best, taking profits I can clearly comprehend. This approach may not suit 99% of retail traders, because without understanding the underlying logic, they only see the returns and think it’s underwhelming. But on this trading journey, going slower lets you last longer. I understand those who feel they have only a few hundred thousand and believe they have no choice but to go all-in. Yet at all times, you must stay clear-headed and respect the market. Since entering the space in 2022, I’ve seen new stars rise every year—and every year, former giants have fallen. In financial markets, how much you earn matters, but surviving longer is always one of the most important things. You don’t need to be extraordinary—you just need to keep going and stay at the table.