The real skill in crypto isn’t spotting winners. It’s having the discipline to close them. This is my third full cycle, and I learned that lesson the expensive way.

I’ve watched unrealized gains stack higher than my yearly income… and still convinced myself they weren’t enough. I told myself I was “being patient,” when in reality I was just addicted to the idea of wanting more. Every time price moved, I delayed the decision. Until the market made it for me.

I used to think selling early meant I lacked conviction. Now I understand it means I respect risk.

I’ve been there, I've lived through the round-trip trades, the screenshots, the confidence and the quiet panic when numbers started shrinking back to where they began. Nothing humbles you faster than realizing you were rich for a moment and poor again for free (your own actions). But this cycle, I played it differently.

I scaled out, I secured base hits, I let runners run without letting them own my emotions. Some charts keep climbing after I exit. Good for them I say, I already bought my peace and that was a successful trade in my book.

If you’re holding profit right now and waiting for “one more push,” ask yourself honestly are you trading… or are you hoping?

There’s a difference.

Forget the fantasy.
Forget the perfect exit.
Forget the screenshot you want to post.

Real money beats imaginary money.
Longevity beats ego.
Control beats excitement.

Lock something in. You’ll thank yourself later.