My Love-Hate Tango with Stocks
In my freshman year, I opened a stock account at my father's suggestion. He gave me $20K to invest, advising that the earlier I enter the stock market, the deeper my understanding would grow over time.
My father has a strong gambling habit, whether it's stocks or baccarat. He traded stocks full-time for a while but quit the market after losing most of his savings during the 2008 financial crisis.
My major is finance, and I was taught that individuals can never beat the market because there will always be black swan events. Despite understanding this, I still enjoy the thrill of stock trading. I'm not a patient person, so day trading is the most enjoyable for me. Like those rollers who know they'll eventually lose but still find excitement in the casino, I find stock trading exhilarating. Maybe it's the dopamine rush that makes it so thrilling.
With 8 years of stock market experience under my belt, I've discovered one golden rule: attention drives stock prices. When a company has a significant event or some exciting news, its stock price tends to rise. Take Macy's, for instance. On a regular Tuesday, its stock might barely move, but during events like the Thanksgiving Day Parade or the Fourth of July fireworks, the stock shoots up because everyone's watching. The GameStop frenzy was also fueled by Reddit hype, though I, unfortunately, missed that ride. Maybe next time, I'll grab a ticket to Mars!
Most of my portfolio is in the tech sector. My account balance has fluctuated a lot; I've added funds over time, with my highest profit being $200K and my lowest loss being $200K (mainly due to Tesla). Overall, I'm currently at a loss of around $100K.
Will I continue to trade stocks despite the uncertainty?
The answer is yes.
Unlike entrepreneurship, which demands immense effort, stock trading requires just a few clicks of the mouse and brings me great enjoyment. As the saying goes, "Small gambling is good for your mood, but big gambling is harmful to your health."
