March 27

The global markets look unsettled to me. US stocks fell sharply last night, and I imagine many retail investors rushed to sell. Against talk of war, possible rate increases, and recession risk, I made a defensive adjustment to my portfolio. Nvidia became my largest position. I also planned to free up some money from value stocks so I would have more flexibility if volatility continued.

I travel for work tomorrow. A different place may clear my head and bring an idea I would not find by staying home.

Next week I want to work on three things:

• Take English listening practice seriously. I also wonder whether my current enthusiasm for Japanese could make it a better language for listening drills.
• Simplify blog publishing until I can write directly on the website. I have already begun.
• Improve my trading system, including clearer standards for choosing US stocks and crypto assets. With those standards still incomplete, having less money in the market may be safer for me.

A more experienced colleague asked whether I was quiet because something was on my mind. I said no. I prefer to respond calmly and concentrate on my work. I do not need to speak just to fill space. Perhaps that makes me seem more withdrawn.

I can make impressive things through vibe coding, but first I need a good idea. Progress is often frustrating: each project seems to reveal another pitfall. Life since graduation has felt much the same. I cannot remember a month without worry. Some nights thoughts arrive in waves and keep me awake. At those times, I have had to find my own way through. Trading has taught me to think of such periods as practice. I cannot expect a life without setbacks; I can work on how I respond.