Holding Psychology
Holding is where narrative holding gets tested.
Entry is easy. Holding through uncertainty is not. Most traders lose not because their thesis was wrong, but because they couldn't tolerate the discomfort that comes with holding.
What holding actually feels like
Narrative holding rarely feels exciting.
Expect:
Slow periods
Pullbacks after entries
Long stretches of nothing happening
Moments where doubt creeps in
This is normal. Strong narratives don't move in straight lines. They expand in waves.
Boredom is a signal, not a problem
Boredom often appears when:
Attention is still building quietly
Participation is increasing without hype
Price is consolidating instead of running
This is where many traders exit early. They mistake boredom for failure.
In reality, boredom often means nothing is broken yet.
Dealing with pullbacks
Pullbacks are part of narrative expansion. A pullback doesn't automatically mean:
The narrative is dead
You made a bad entry
You should exit immediately
Instead, ask:
Is attention still present?
Is the community still active?
Is the narrative still relevant?
Price can pull back while conviction remains intact.
Avoiding emotional interference
Common traps while holding:
Checking price constantly
Reacting to small red candles
Comparing your trade to others
Searching for validation on Twitter
These behaviors increase anxiety and reduce clarity. Once you're positioned, your job is observation, not reaction.
What to focus on instead
Shift focus away from price and toward:
Whether attention continues to reappear
Whether discussion persists over time
Whether new participants are joining
Whether the narrative still makes sense
If these remain intact, short-term price movement matters less.
When holding becomes unhealthy
Holding turns into a problem when:
You ignore clear signs of fading attention
You justify staying without evidence
You feel emotionally trapped in the position
Hope replaces logic
Conviction should feel calm, not desperate.
If you're constantly looking for reasons to stay, you've already answered the question.
The role of time
Time is part of this strategy. Strong narratives require patience, emotional control, and the ability to wait without forcing action.
If waiting feels unbearable, either the strategy doesn't fit your temperament, or your size is too large.
Healthy conviction feels quiet and controlled. If holding feels overwhelming, something is misaligned.