Don't let FOMO push you into half-baked trades

Was watching $SPX_500 this past week, seeing it consolidating nicely after a decent run. My primary thesis was a continued move up, but I was waiting for a clearer re-entry signal or a confirmed breakout above immediate resistance. Problem was, I saw some of the usual suspects on social media calling for 'moon' and 'new highs' every other tweet. Instead of sticking to my plan and waiting for my entry criteria, I started to feel like I was missing out.

So, I jumped in a bit early, without the conviction of my own setup, just on the general sentiment. Naturally, it pulled back right after I entered, trapping me in some draw-down. Ended up closing for a small loss, which wasn't catastrophic, but it was completely avoidable. The lesson, again, is simple: FOMO is a killer. Stick to your own process, even if everyone else is yelling. The market will always be there.