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An Independence Day Idea: Forgiveness

July 3, 2025

This Independence Day weekend, let's seek freedom from guilt.

 

As a trader, I carry around a lot of guilt.

Guilt for missing a huge winner.

Guilt for not getting out sooner.

Guilt for not holding long enough.

Guilt for using the wrong strategy.

Guilt for being late to a major turning point.

It’s a long list. And it’s heavy.

This guilt doesn’t just live in the rearview mirror. It follows me into the next trade. It clogs up my decision-making. It makes me hesitate when I should act. It whispers, “Don’t screw this one up too.”

Can you relate?

Lately, I’ve been working on something that I think might help: forgiveness.

Not the fluffy, wishy-washy kind. But real, honest, intentional forgiveness.

Forgiveness for not being perfect.

Forgiveness for being human.

Forgiveness for not catching every move.

Because here’s the thing — I can’t catch every trade. It’s impossible. Especially in a bull market like this one, where new setups are popping up everywhere. There will always be winners I miss. There will always be hindsight that makes me wince.

But carrying all that guilt? It doesn’t help.

If anything, it makes me worse.

If I can forgive myself more freely, I can move faster, think clearer, and trade better. I can respond to what the market is doing now, rather than react based on past pain.

And maybe… just maybe… I’ll enjoy this game a little more too.

So here’s to letting go of some weight.

Here’s to being a little more free.

Here’s to forgiveness.

 

Sean McLaughlin | Chief Options Strategist, All Star Charts