8 Years in Crypto, I Never Thought I Would Find My Normal Life Again

Behind the numbers of profit and loss, what is truly measured is psychology and human nature. This year I am 38 years old. I have been in the crypto market for exactly 8 years. When I first entered the market, Bitcoin was only a few thousand dollars. Now, it has become a symbol of financial dreams for millions of people. Two years ago, my account once reached a number I never dared to imagine in my youth. Material life suddenly became more abundant, but strangely, I felt increasingly anxious inside. Crypto reacts too quickly. No need for socializing. No need for relationships. Just look at the K-line chart, a green or red candle is enough to decide the mood for the whole day. Over time, my circle of life has become more and more narrow. People become closed off, sensitive, and always live in a state of tension. Until I realized one thing: To survive long in crypto, technical analysis is just the outer layer. The real determinants of survival are psychology and discipline.

1. Understand the True Nature of the Market: Don’t Turn Gambling into Investment The biggest trap of crypto is making people think they are investing, but in reality, they are satisfying their gambling instincts. I used to be addicted to swing trading, chasing every trend, every hot coin. Until I witnessed a friend burn through all assets during the 2018 bear market because of excessive leverage. Crypto trades 24/7. No limit on volatility. One minute it’s green, the next it could be zero. Without a strong mindset, it’s easy to get caught in a vortex of emotions. I’ve seen many during the bull run mortgage their houses, borrow money, go all-in. The outcome is predictable. No matter how good an indicator is, it’s no match for one principle: Don’t let yourself suffer a fatal blow. Many people lose not because they don’t know how to analyze, but because they don’t know how to manage risk.
2. Psychological Turning Point: From Following the Wave to Finding the Pattern My turning point came when I truly understood: Bitcoin is always the axis of the entire market. When BTC is unstable, altcoins almost have no chance to go against the trend on their own. The flow of funds shifting between BTC and stablecoins is the measure of the market’s risk appetite. I started building trading discipline: Risk only a maximum of 1% of total capital per order No more than 2 trades per day Take profits over 5% and withdraw some gains This “foolish but sustainable” strategy helped me recover my capital within half a year and grow steadily again. I also realized the difference in money flow between sessions. From then on, I only focused on trading during the US session, turning off the computer, spending time with family, picking up the kids from school, and taking evening walks. Life gradually returned to normal.
3. The Art of Balancing Crypto and Life Principle number one: Only use idle money for investment. I absolutely do not touch living expenses. This not only controls risk but also greatly reduces psychological pressure. I set discipline: No more than 2 hours a day looking at charts No trading out of boredom No trading out of fear of missing out Opportunities in crypto never run out. No need to compete for every wave. My most effective trick: If there’s profit, withdraw and spend. Buy gifts for family, take the whole family on vacation, enjoy the fruits of your labor. The true happiness outside of life helps me no longer be emotionally driven by numbers on the screen.
4. The Mindset of Someone Who Survives Long in the Market People who survive long in crypto understand one thing: Following the trend is more important than predicting. No one can perfectly catch the top and bottom. But those who understand the trend and follow it will always have an advantage. I no longer try to catch every wave. As long as the project isn’t trash coin, has real liquidity, and real cash flow, corrections are not scary. If you have money, split it into small portions. If you don’t have money, be patient and wait. What determines profit or loss is not how good you are at bottom fishing, but whether you can endure the most painful phases. In crypto, the ultimate winners are not those who make the fastest money, but those who last the longest.
5. Returning to Normal Life Doesn’t Mean Leaving the Market Now I sleep early, wake up early, control my positions, and keep my emotions stable. Crypto remains a part of my income, but no longer the whole life. I have seen too many people get rich quickly and then fall back into poverty just as fast. The difference is that they didn’t switch from “slaves of the market” to “masters of the game.” True freedom is not the money in your account, but sleeping peacefully at night, not fearing phone calls from debt collectors, and not being emotionally controlled by each candle. Conclusion: Patience Is the Rarest Skill Ten years in crypto have taught me one thing: This game ultimately depends on who can last longer. “Normal life” is not about leaving the market, but about not letting the market control your life. When you take short-term fluctuations lightly, understand the market rhythm, and keep a steady mindset, you will see that crypto can completely coexist with work and life. There is no myth of overnight wealth. Only those who survive long enough to reach the end. Patience is the most valuable asset in this market. And it’s also the reason I can survive 10 years and find my way back to a normal life.