Sharing some late-night thoughts on options...

After trading U.S. stocks for so many years, I've seen too many newbies rush into the options market, each thinking they can become the next 'God of Gamblers.' King has seen this mentality too many times—who doesn't feel invincible when they first win money?

But the scariest thing about options is their speed. If you're wrong about the direction for just one day, you might keep averaging down, doubling down, only to see your account wiped out in a matter of days, with millions evaporating instantly. You think you can control your emotions and cut losses in time, but when real money starts vanishing like water, your brain can't react fast enough—stopping losses becomes impossible. Everyone knows the theory; cutting losses and taking profits sounds simple, but in the high-volatility arena of U.S. stock options, who can actually do it? After over a decade of live trading, I've never fully trusted the market, nor do I dare to fully trust myself. The market's greatest power is its ability to magnify your human weaknesses infinitely.

That's just how the market is. Once you lose, you want to win it back, always thinking you can use the same method in the same place to turn things around. You keep wondering when to jump back in, but the result is just more losses. You think you've unlocked the market's secret, but in reality, you keep falling into the same trap. Options are an amplifier of human nature, constantly tempting you to add to your position or average down—refusing to give up. Retail investors mostly make money by luck, picking up scraps, while those who earn big money through skill are the whales who defy human nature, operating with discipline and systems—never by gut feeling.

If you're just starting with options, remember one thing: don't let your heart grow greedier and your courage bolder. It's better not to trade at all than to bet big. The most important thing is the ability to admit defeat and walk away. Options aren't a life-or-death game—losing once doesn't mean you'll recover next time. This isn't Squid Game; there are no second chances. Losing means getting your hand cut off—it's that serious. If you've already lost a lot, take a break. Don't obsess over recovering in the same place. You need to understand: the market won't wait for you to bounce back. Stop thinking about how to fight the tiger better—just don't climb the mountain with tigers next time. Because you never know which trade will blow up your account or bankrupt you.

So at my stage, the wisest decision is to never touch long calls or long puts again. Admitting defeat isn't cowardice—it's self-protection. If you lose money, switch battlefields. The world is vast; why obsess over one ticker? Every time I lost, I'd panic, only to realize afterward that the biggest problem was always trying to recover through options. I actually had enough money to buy a house long ago, but I kept gambling, thinking I could go big later and recover everything. Instead, I kept falling into bottomless pits. Stocks might be slower, but at least you won't lose everything. Buying property is even safer. Only when you firmly decide to quit does fate's wheel start turning again. I hope after reading this, you won't keep stumbling in the same place. Admitting defeat is the beginning of a comeback.

In the end, everyone knows the principles—cut losses, trade light—but when you're actually losing, you'll chase, you'll add to your position, and you won't react in time. The best way to protect yourself isn't learning new tricks—it's staying off the gambling table. If you're willing to all-in when you're broke, you'll only get bolder when you have money. Options were originally hedging tools—like shorting with stock collateral—but long calls and long puts are pure gambling. With stocks, you can wait to recover; with options, there are no second chances. Obsessing over recouping losses is a weak mindset. You need to let go and start fresh. In your 20s, you can still rebound; if you get hit in your 30s or 40s, you might never recover.

Let me emphasize again: losing doesn't mean you have to recover in the same place. ETFs, stocks, real estate—there are countless methods. Finding what suits you is key. Don't extreme-ly believe only options can turn things around. Don't challenge human nature, and don't keep testing the waters with money. Some might argue your options strategy is flawed, but if you're losing and still chasing, you'll believe anything—and die faster. If you're truly skilled with optimized strategies, this article isn't for you. Everyone understands the market's principles; the real enemy is yourself. The hardest part of investing is overcoming human nature. I hope after reading this, you gain some insight and stop falling into the same pit. $NASDAQ Composite Index(.IXIC.US) $Dow Jones Industrial Average(.DJI.US) $SPDR S&P 500(SPY.US)