“Two Big Losses, Three Wins, and One Constant Lesson: Stay Systematic”
After months of steady growth, Week 17 reminded me what every systematic trader eventually learns: progress doesn’t move in straight lines.
This week delivered two of my largest losses ever, immediately followed by three clean, disciplined wins.
It’s a perfect example of why the 1000-Day Challenge exists — to prove that conviction and consistency matter more than any single trade.
📊 Weekly Trade Summary
| # | Strategy | Lot Size | P/L | Return % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | 2/7 DTE Double Calendar | 9 | – $3,470 | – 12.5 % | Delta-rule auto-exit after sharp downside break. |
| 116 | 9/23 DTE Double Calendar | 2 | – $3,461 | – 22.8 % | Volatility expansion crushed shorts; exited per system. |
| 117 | 2/7 DTE Double Calendar | 8 | + $555 | + 2.1 % | Quick same-day profit; textbook recovery trade. |
| 118 | 0 DTE Iron Butterfly | 1 | + $364 | + 45.8 % | Perfectly timed scalp; volatility collapse helped. |
| 119 | 0 DTE Iron Fly (2-lot)** | 2 | + $189 | + 8.4 % | Small but controlled win into Friday’s close. |
| ✅ Total P/L = – $4,823 | Weekly Return = – 6.9 % (on $70K) | 3 wins / 2 losses |
💼 What Happened
The week started painfully: SPX dropped nearly 150 points between Monday and Wednesday, triggering both large losses.
Those trades were run entirely by automation, and I didn’t interfere — an important milestone.
Then, by mid-week, volatility normalized, and short-term setups (2/7 DC & intraday Iron Butterflies) began to work again.
The Friday Iron Fly closed green — a reminder that drawdowns and recoveries often coexist within the same week.
🧠 Reflections & Mindset
It’s easy to feel discouraged after red trades, but this week deepened my conviction that:
“You can’t build trust in a system by only letting it run when it’s winning.”
Giving automation full control exposed me to the exact volatility behavior that backtests predicted — I simply hadn’t experienced it live before.
These losses taught me more about my psychology than any winning streak could.
By the week’s end, despite the drawdown, I followed every rule. That’s progress.
⚙️ Performance Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Capital | $50,000 |
| Capital at Start of Week 17 | $74,896 |
| Weekly P/L | – $4,823 |
| Ending Capital (Week 17) | **$70,073 ** |
| Drawdown from Peak | – 6.4 % |
| Days Completed | 116 / 1000 |
| Automation Adherence | ✅ 100 % (no manual overrides) |
📈 Big-Picture Perspective
Even after the toughest week in months, the portfolio still stands +40 % above the starting balance.
The edge hasn’t disappeared — it’s simply moving through a normal volatility cluster.
Drawdowns like this don’t erase months of data-driven growth; they confirm that the strategy is operating in real-world conditions, not simulation.
🧩 Key Takeaways
- Painful weeks are data weeks. Every loss adds realism to the backtest curve.
- Wins after losses feel different. They rebuild trust — not ego.
- Automation is emotionless — and that’s its superpower.
- I’m still up overall, still systematic, still learning.
🧭 Looking Ahead to Week 18
Next week includes earnings season continuation.
Plan:
- Keep size constant; no “revenge” scaling.
- Maintain delta-rule exits.
- Continue journaling emotional responses — they’re as important as P/L.
As always, the goal isn’t to predict — it’s to execute cleanly.
“Consistency isn’t built on perfect weeks. It’s built on showing up the same way through every kind of week.”
Disclaimer
The information presented in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or investment advice. I am not a licensed financial advisor. All trading strategies discussed reflect my personal experience and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security or derivative.
Trading financial instruments such as options, futures, or stocks involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. You should conduct your own research, consider your financial situation, and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Use of this information is at your own risk.