The Big “Ah Ha” Moment I Had

Looking back at the chart, I could see a Longboard buy setup around that same price.

That is an uncomfortable chart to stare at.

I had a winning morning, then gave it back trying to short this stock. But the part that got my attention was a rule I’d taught years ago and managed to overlook in my own trading.

In my short-selling system, once the stock reaches the 200-period simple moving average, that short setup is finished.

YMAT had already reached it. I kept looking for more short trades.

When I finally switched my attention to Longboard, I could see the other setup: price moving back above VWAP, pulling back toward it, and then breaking above the high of the bounce candle.

On the chart, I walk through that sequence, including the entry I missed, where I would have put a stop, and the potential targets I was considering. This is a look back at an opportunity I didn’t take, not a winning trade I’m claiming.

The useful lesson wasn’t another promise to “be more disciplined.” I needed to recognize when one setup was over so I could actually see the next one.

I’m still short selling. I also want to get better at putting that idea down when my rules say it’s finished.