A friend who has been long-term following me reached out to chat a couple of days ago, sounding very discouraged.

He was talking about the same old story—seeing the right direction, sticking with it for several days, only to have the funds and fees gradually eat away at his position, and it wasn't until liquidation that the market finally took off. I could feel the sense of helplessness at that moment.

I told him honestly: your judgment isn't wrong; the problem is being countered by the trading rules.

Many people trading contracts have a common flaw—they think that as long as they catch the right direction, the rest is just a free win. But reality is often the opposite—those who truly survive are never judged by how strong their prediction skills are, but by how sensitive they are to those overlooked details.

In the contract market, there are some invisible "hidden costs," each capable of gradually draining your account.

First, let's talk about funding fees. This seems insignificant, but in reality, it's a slow bleed. Even if your direction is completely correct, it doesn't matter—if your position is on the paying side, over time, the principal is being subtly taken away every hour as if by an invisible hand. Many liquidation stories are superficially about market volatility, but deep down, they are exhausted by time.

Next is the misconception about the liquidation price. Your account still shows some room, but what you didn't realize is that costs like fees and slippage have already been secretly factored in. It may look like you can hold on a bit longer, but you're actually standing on the edge of the abyss—any small gust of wind could push you over.

And then there's the monster of high leverage. It is never a shortcut to quick profits; it's just a morally neutral amplifier. It magnifies your gains, but equally, it amplifies all losses. A single market wave could wipe your account from history.

The difference between experienced traders and cannon fodder lies in whether they truly understand the sense of boundaries. Knowing when to take profits and exit decisively, and when to let the market rules work for you—this is the secret to lasting longer.

The market fears least those who make money. What it truly fears is that those who see the truth can stay calm and continue walking forward.