How to Manage Isolation
Isolation is most often seen by the general public with a negative connotation. It is observed as being lonely, less loved, less surrounded and under supported. And that is certainly one example of the experience of isolation that is valid and very real. So, what is the official meaning of being isolated? The dictionary states: solitude, isolation, seclusion mean the state of one who is alone. Solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates. Isolation stresses detachment from others, often involuntarily. There is neutrality in the definition really, so how we each observe this is personal to our lens. But I know before really pondering this, I also loosely held that it was a sad and unfortunate state of life.
There really is so much variance with what isolation can feel and look like from one person to another! When we first embarked on our mission to learn how to trade, we really leaned into isolation. To create our own space that supported the tunnel vision that is required to foster real belief in ourself. Like a lot of us, trading was so far out from something we thought we would ever attempt. At that time, we knew we needed ourself more than anyone else in order to strip away parts of the former versions of us that would not serve us in this new pursuit. Isolation actually helped us rebuild the person who would be able to withstand the pressure and intensity that is necessary to survive becoming a trader and beat the very grim statistics. So certainly, the positive side of isolation is when you are purposefully isolating to not allow yourself to be distracted. Getting rid of the outside noises can actually really help you increase creativity and give you more clarity.
In history, this was demonstrated by the incredibly bright mind and deep introvert, Albert Einstein. He was reported to really value solitude and simplicity. One great point is that silent people can be successful because they are better listeners, more purposeful communicators, and have a better ability to accurately assess situations. Isolation sort of frees up more time to focus on your lane, your own game, without seeking attention or validation from others. And with trading, you can also avoid engagement with people who have no real idea what the heck you’re doing and may project their misinformation, thoughts or opinions towards you.
Early on in our trading journeys and even still, we feel the judgment from those that know us but don’t really feel or understand the love and dedication that we have for our trading pursuits. And often that’s out of their love for us, sure. It is common to want those that we love to be safe, secure, and stable. When learning to becoming a successful trader, there’s quite a period where you are not these things - its a vulnerable time where one is alternately stressed, anxious, fearful, and red with the P/L, and then conversely empowered, hopeful, inspired, excited, and beautifully green with the P/L. The roller coaster of this work is not easy and can cause understandable concern from those that are observing from the outside. For me, this is where the benefits of isolation come. The peace of silence and quiet deep work was critical to staying in this game and building our foundations for each leveling up that we have achieved thus far.
This is a big part of how we can cultivate a strong bond with those in an encouraging trading community, or as we like to say, a select few in my locker room. The understanding we have for this aspect of our journeys is real and a major part of how we market mamas connected and have maintained so strong in our partnership. It has been incredibly valuable to have a very tight inner circle that can see us and love us through all the peaks and valleys. The experience of community is, without question, a core basic human need. Participating in an engaging community gives us a sense of belonging and supports our psychology. It’s the vulnerability in sharing each our own unique value-add that makes collaboration so powerful. So we can agree that there’s a time for isolation to enrich yourself from the inside but just as important to then pass some of that along to the people who you trust will receive it well. Serving each other is how we all grow and continue to build our individual empires and we really believe with the right team, it even accelerates you! We are in the foundation building phase of our day trading and this balance of purposeful isolation combined with intentional collaboration has been really beneficial.
“It is in the difficult times that the great times ahead are dreamt and built, brick by brick, with maturity and the hope that comes from wise action.”
~ Ben Okri
To give full credence to the opposing views on isolation, it can be unhealthy and a dangerous situation as well. Some reasons a person might feel lonely or isolated may come from what is happening in one’s life, especially if there has been major changes. These include: living alone or lacking close family around you. grieving for a friend, a spouse or your partner. Loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact. Social isolation is a lack of social connections. This social isolation can lead to loneliness in some people, while others can feel lonely even without being socially isolated but just feeling so. There are many ways, essentially, that one can feel sad and unsafe due to not enough actual or perceived support and attention around them. If this is your experience, then it is arguable that it is unhealthy and you should reach out. Work to cultivate at least one or two strong bonds that are always open to loving and respectful conversations. Join groups that are centered around a common interest. Call your family regularly to catch up. While we can feel the benefits of reasonable isolation in certain conditions, complete isolation is never a sustainable choice for human beings, as we are, at our centers, social beings for sure.
We all must find our individual balance that serves our healthy and fulfilling life. For us right now, we are really finding momentum with the quiet moments at work. It provides us the space to think, generate great ideas, channel creativity, and work & study efficiently. It's not just about the quiet because there is less talking; it's about creating an environment where we can sit quietly, focus, and perform at our best. We’ve all heard the term: work hard in silence. The way to success is an uphill climb that involves infinite effort and dedication and the most advantageous processes and continuous executions. It has been said that when one is being serious about a big goal, the first rule is to not announce it. When you work hard on your goals in solitude, you are intrinsically motivated and not seeking other people's authorization or approval. Also, your goals actually are more achievable when you are motivated intrinsically, and not extrinsically, because you will have more personal drive, grit, and focus for them. Doing your thing because you want it so desperately and not because anyone told you to do it. It is just so much more powerful! The musician Frank Ocean has said: “Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.” We love that sentiment so much!
It is important to remember that time spent in isolation doesn't always have to feel lonely. There are many benefits to time spent in isolation, such as things like deeper self reflection, improved relaxation, and a better ability to focus on the deep work that we are pursuing. I really like the analogy from author Mandy Hale: “A season of loneliness and isolation is when the caterpillar gets its wings. Remember that next time you feel alone.” This visual has brought us peace with our choices on how to live our lives true to ourselves. We love growing our wings and we are not missing life, but rather taking a period to focus inward to create substantial and beautiful growth and true change for ourselves.
Meditation, mindfulness, prayer, and a quiet mind are things that we are working every day to improve at, as we have experienced such benefits to our whole selves when we do practice them with intention. A German author, Franz Kafka, said: “Isolation is a way to know ourselves.” We now purposefully make time each day to just sit quietly. Control our breathing, quiet our minds, and tune out the noise. Besides the benefits to our energy and peace in our hearts, the benefits to trading are major with this practice. Quieting our thoughts and controlling where & when our minds wander gives us greater ability to direct our focus and stay with a line of work with so much greater awareness and understanding, such as when we are aiming to flow in sync with the market to execute on the best trade setups.
It’s been said that the most successful people understand the need of working with maximum clarity. To achieve the deepest clarity, one way is to set aside time each day to be alone with one’s thoughts. Author Paulo Coelho expressed this well, stating: “Solitude is not the absence of company, but the moment when our soul is free to speak to us and help us decide what to do with our life.” Just beautiful. It is so in alignment with how we are working to cultivate directed quiet time away from all distractions and responsibilities for at least a brief period each day. The benefits to this purposeful use of solitude and temporary isolation have been well known for centuries and can hold so much power for us if we embrace it in our daily lives.
In our modern, well-connected busy lives, it's very easy for us to be busy with the wrong things. You are busy chatting with your co-workers, maybe a bit more than is required, you are busy replying and clearing emails, texts, and DMs, you are busy scrolling through your Facebook, Instagram and Ticktock, you are busy watching TV - you are busy being busy. Does this not sound like a very common existence these days? Author Scott Stabile has this to say: “Let them judge you. Let them misunderstand you. Let them gossip about you. Their opinions aren’t your problems. You stay kind, committed to love, and free in your authenticity. No matter what they do or say, don’t you dare doubt your worth of the beauty of your truth. Just keep shining like you do.” Yep, this is how we have to go about our lives. We love spending our energy on a bigger purpose and drive. Intentional solitude allows us to be ourselves with no outside influences that attempt to push us to conform.
For us market mamas, we have grown to embrace a sustainable and helpful amount of isolation for the sake of major progress and goals in our lives. We do feel that truly leveling up requires this isolation and extreme focus to break down those barriers that do not serve us on this path. Creative mind Brittany Josephina wrote: “Note to self: You gotta do this for you. This is for you. This isn’t about anybody. Live for you. Honor you. Never lose sight of that.” It is in this spirit that we have harnessed isolation as a tool for maximum growth. It’s a purposeful balance that serves our journeys and, when integrated carefully, can be the space and time we all need to truly elevate.