At three in the morning, the glare from the screen hurts my eyes. My hands tremble, and my heart feels like it's about to jump out of my throat — I've experienced this feeling more than once.

It's not acting; I really felt the pain. My account balance dropped from six figures to four, and that feeling was like standing on the edge of a cliff, with chunks of rock falling beneath my feet. Only later did I realize that what helped me climb back was not some secret weapon, but a few strict rules paid for with money.

**Rule 1: Only bet within your own drawn circles.**
In the past, I was most afraid of missing out. Seeing a coin start to pump, I would rush in, only to find I was always the one standing on the sidelines. Now I've learned: opportunities are everywhere every day, but if your principal is gone, it's truly gone.

I mark my entry zones in advance; if the price doesn't reach that level, no matter how lively the market, I just watch. Making money with what I understand is enough.

**Rule 2: Before opening a position, calculate how much you can lose.**
Every time I place an order, the first thing I do is set a stop loss. The amount of loss I can tolerate is a thousand times more important than fantasized profits. As long as the principal is there, there's still a chance to turn things around. Surviving is the prerequisite for everything.

**Rule 3: Take profits in stages.**
When the market is good, I split the profits into parts. For example, I might take some off at key resistance levels to secure gains, while keeping some to leave room for further upside. This way, I can enjoy some gains without risking losing everything during a sudden pullback. Not being greedy helps me hold onto what I have.

**Rule 4: When there's no signal, learn to wait.**
In the past, I was itchy to trade; I felt uneasy if I didn't make a move all day. Now, I won't touch opportunities that don't meet my standards, no matter how tempting they seem. Trading isn't about who is busier, but about who has the patience to wait for their own opportunity.

With these simple rules, I gradually grew my account from four digits to five, then six. The changing numbers are just the outcome; more importantly — I can sleep peacefully at night, and when I see sharp rises or drops, I no longer panic.

I used to stumble blindly in the dark, but now I have a lamp in my hand. The light isn't very bright, but enough to illuminate the path under my feet.