Less detours, actually, is the most efficient way to advance.

I have been in the crypto market for eight years, and the first two years were basically spent in a cycle of liquidation and losses. Before I could even catch my breath after topping up my funds, the numbers in my account would disappear—this feeling, I never want to experience a second time.

The rules of the market have never changed; only we ourselves do. The insights I want to share today may not be very pleasant, but if they can help you pay less tuition, then it’s worth it.

**Adding to positions is self-rescue, not a shortcut to wealth**

I’ve seen countless people (including my past self) react to being trapped by saying, "Add a bit more capital, and when it rebounds, I’ll sell." But in reality? The more you add, the bigger the loss hole becomes, eventually turning into an abyss.

The true purpose of adding to positions is to lower costs and control risk exposure, not to turn the tide. When your mind is only thinking about reversing the situation through adding, you’ve already walked into the door of the next liquidation.

Those harsh experiences taught me one truth: unwillingness and luck-driven mentality are the biggest killers of an account. Sometimes, no matter how well you read the market, you still lose to your own desire to gamble. Later, I set a strict rule for myself: stop-loss must be decisive, take-profit requires patience, and never let emotions dictate your actions.

**Silent consolidation always brews volatility**

The frustrating triangle consolidation after a big surge looks like “strong momentum buildup,” but in fact, the market is signaling to the last batch of buyers. Consolidation is not rest; it’s the accumulation of strength.

I discovered a pattern: buy when no one is paying attention, sell when everyone is clamoring. When no one discusses the market in your social circle and everyone is too scared to move, that’s the best window for clear-headed thinking and seeking opportunities. Conversely, when everyone is showing off profits and singing bullish tunes, it’s time to consider risks and think about retreating.

Simple and straightforward rule: don’t sell if it doesn’t rise high enough, don’t buy if it plunges, and wait during sideways movements.