Do you ever have this feeling: as soon as you hold a position, the market starts to decline, and just after you sell, the price rebounds, as if the market is constantly watching your account.

But in reality, that's not the case. The market never targets a specific individual; the problem often lies in you misreading the rhythm of your emotions.

Observing common trader behaviors makes this clear. When the market surges wildly, many follow the trend and chase the highs; during sharp declines, a large wave of panic sellers emerges. These points happen to be moments when short-term emotions are most intensely released, and they are also the easiest times to incur losses.

**Why do we always operate in the opposite direction**

Behind every price level is the collective decision of countless traders. When you chase the highs, you're actually rushing in with a crowd of trend followers. When you cut losses, you're fleeing alongside a group of panicked sellers. This gives the big players an opportunity—they exploit this herd mentality to shake out weak hands, creating volatility to clear out those who are not steadfast.

Simply put, you're trading based on emotion, while the market is playing a game of capital scale. The two are on completely different levels.

**How to break this cycle**

The most straightforward way is to replace emotion with rules. It sounds simple, but implementing it is deadly—yet this is what truly sustainable traders do.

First, avoid reactive trading. Resist the urge to chase during a rally, and stay calm during pullbacks. The right moment to act is during a trend confirmation and subsequent retest, not at the peak of emotional euphoria.

Second, set clear entry and exit rules. For example, buy after a breakout of a key resistance level followed by a retest, or take partial profits during volume-driven stagnation. Use discipline to restrain impulsive decisions.

Third, accept that trading will never be perfect. Don't expect to buy at the lowest point or sell at the highest—that's a gambler's fantasy. Catching a trend mid-way is already good enough; abandon the illusion of capturing the absolute top and bottom.

**History keeps repeating the same story**

Data shows that when market sentiment is extremely optimistic—such as when a certain coin becomes a trending topic or chat groups are boiling over—short-term risks actually increase. Conversely, when the market is quiet and trading volume is low, opportunities are often quietly brewing. The biggest breakthroughs usually don't happen amid noise but during these calm periods.

This rule has never changed. Before a bull market, there's always a dull period; before a bear market reverses, there's always a moment of despair. Those who can stay rational during these times are the ones who ultimately profit.

**Final words**

The essence of trading is a battle against human nature. When you constantly feel targeted by the market, it's better to pause and ask yourself: Am I still operating driven by emotion? Am I lost in the fluctuations, forgetting my original plan?

Slow down, set rules, and stick to them strictly. The market won't deliberately target anyone, but it will always reward those who trade against their instincts.