People talk about the stock market like it’s a system, a game, or a machine. But the more I observe, the more I think it’s personal. Everyone has a different relationship with the market—some chase it, some fear it, some serve it. It’s almost like a relationship dynamic. You can be a:
Lover
These people are emotionally in it. They treat the market like a romantic partner. They check quotes the moment they wake up, follow every news release, and feel highs and lows as if they’re in a relationship. Gains feel euphoric, losses feel personal. They’re not necessarily always successful—but they’re definitely emotionally invested.
Stranger
After years of trading, some people still feel like strangers to the market. They’ve been in it, bought stocks, sold them, maybe even followed the news—but they’ve never felt in sync. Opportunities seem to pass just outside of reach. They watch others make huge gains while they sit on sidelines or sell too early. Making money? That always seems to happen to someone else. It’s like trying to join a conversation where you never quite know the language.
Saver
The ones who got lucky—or strategic—and hit it big. Maybe they bought Tesla early. Maybe they held Nvidia from $3. Either way, they made life-changing profits, often unintentionally. They weren't necessarily traders, just people who picked the right stocks and held long enough. They treat the market like a vault that paid off once, and maybe never again.
Slave
But not everyone is so lucky. Some end up feeling like slaves to the market. They started out wanting to master it—but instead, got dragged around by every price swing. They chase highs, sell at lows, second-guess every move. They tell themselves they’ll be more disciplined “next time,” but the cycle repeats. The market controls their time, attention, and emotions. It’s not investing anymore—it’s reacting.
Me? I Don’t Fit in Any of These
I’m not a lover—I don’t get emotional about the market. I don’t check it all the time, and I’m not glued to candles.
I’m not a saver—I haven’t had any life-changing trades. If anything, I tend to take profits too early, which probably keeps me from ever getting there.
I’m not a slave either—I don’t chase, I don’t panic sell, and I’m okay being away from the screen. I set my limit prices and walk away.
And I don’t feel like a stranger.
If anything, I treat trading and investing like a hobby. I study things that interest me, trade when I feel like it, and don’t let it take over my life. I’m not here trying to beat the world. I just enjoy learning, observing, and occasionally participating. That’s it.
A New Category? The Hobbyist
No illusions of mastery, no pressure to make millions, no emotional rollercoaster. Just someone who participates at their own pace, with their own logic. Someone who treats the market like any other interest—something to explore, not something to be consumed by.
Maybe that’s not as exciting as the lover, or as victorious as the saver, but for me, it’s the most sustainable. I let it be.
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