WHY I SHIFTED FROM M1 TO M15: A TRADER’S JOURNEY
Hello everyone. It’s been over a year since I last published a blog post. To be honest, I don’t enjoy writing that much, so unless I have something significant to share, I prefer to wait for more meaningful content. Today, however, I want to discuss a significant shift in my personal trading approach. About a year ago, I transitioned from using the M1 time-frame to the M15. Here’s why I made this change and the impact it has had on my trading performance.
The drawbacks of M1 trading.
Trading on the M1 time frame can be exciting. The rapid pace and constant action are appealing, especially for those who thrive on quick decision-making. Sometimes you can literally get a 2-3R in minutes (or lose it, LOL). However, over time, I realized that the M1 time frame had several drawbacks that were affecting my overall performance and well-being.
1. Information overload
The M1 time frame generates a massive amount of data. Watching every M1 candle is almost addictive and detrimental. While this can be exciting, it also leads to information overload. I found myself constantly glued to the screen, trying to keep up with the rapid flow of information. This was not only mentally exhausting but also led to decision fatigue, which often resulted in poor trading decisions and more often than not, luck of discipline.
2. Increased stress levels
The fast-paced nature of M1 trading meant that I was always on edge. The need to make quick decisions and the fear of missing out on opportunities created a high-stress environment. This constant state of alertness took a toll on my personal well being, making it difficult to maintain a balanced and relaxed mindset, which is crucial for successful trading.
3. Higher transaction costs
Trading on the M1 time frame often requires entering and exiting positions frequently. This high frequency of trades resulted in higher transaction costs, including spreads and commissions. Over time, these costs added up and ate into my profits, making it harder to achieve a positive net return. Nowadays I place less than 5 trades per week, but before it was way more than that. I could easily get 2-3 trades per day and when you check your weekly MT5 recap and see that commissions are the same amount of your profits (in a good positive week) then you start to question yourself and wonder if it’s worth to trade that much so often.
The benefits of shifting to M15.
After some contemplation and analysis, journal reviews and talking to peers in my own Discord server (yes we got a free server where we discuss on daily basis FX price action and more, it’s free and it will always be free, if you want to join it please DM me on X or TG and we’ll discuss) I decided to shift to the M15 time frame. This change has brought several benefits that have positively impacted my trading performance and overall well-being. And I want to underline well-being, seriously guys, we got into this game to feel well and make money: don’t underestimate the stress that comes from poor and stressful trading.
1. Reduced noise
The M15 time frame provides a clearer picture of market flow by filtering out much of the noise present in the M1 time frame. This makes it easier to identify significant price movements and trends, leading to more accurate and reliable read. The reduced noise has also helped me stay more focused on my own things. I can keep working on whatever project I’m doing and move on with my life without being dependent on M1 candles up and down on a screen.
2. Lower stress levels
Trading on the M15 time frame has significantly reduced my stress levels. The slower pace allows me to take a more measured and thoughtful approach to my trades. Before getting into any trade I can pause down and evaluate the criteria and my biases through price action. I almost never enter at market, I’ve always time to place limit orders and wait for price to come to me. I have more time to recall if a trade fits my trading plan and make informed decisions. This has helped me maintain a calmer and more balanced mindset, which is crucial for long-term success in trading.
3. Improved risk management
The M15 time frame has allowed me to improve my risk management strategy. With more time to analyze the market and plan my trades, I can set more effective stop-loss and take-profit levels. This has helped me protect my capital and minimize losses, leading to a more consistent and sustainable trading performance. Maybe better said: instead of minimizing losses what I really improved is the quality of setups I’ve been taking. I reckon that with the years my experience also increased so it might be for this reason too, but surely when u trade M15 you’ve time to think with your system 2 brain which is more logical and deliberate (reference: read this book if you haven’t because it’s too good).
4. Better work-life balance
One of the most significant benefits of shifting to the M15 time frame is the improved work-life balance. Trading on the M1 time frame required constant attention and left little room for other activities. With the M15 time frame, I can step away from the screen more often, allowing me to spend more time with friends and colleagues, pursue hobbies, and maintain a healthier lifestyle. I usually trade with hourly sponsorship: meaning I need some hourly confirmation to get into trades (if you don’t know what I mean I have a whole playlist on my YouTube channel that explains about it); so I can literally set alarms at hourly segments, check charts and if I don’t see nothing “sexy” then move on with my life.
Conclusion
The shift from the M1 to the M15 time frame has been a game-changer for me. It has not only improved my trading performance but also enhanced my overall well-being. Trading is a journey of continuous learning and adaptation, and sometimes, making small changes can lead to significant improvements. If you’re finding yourself overwhelmed and stressed with your current trading time frame, consider exploring higher time frames. You might find, as I did, that it brings a new level of clarity, balance, and hopefully success to your trading performance.
PS: I want to be fully transparent with you people, I used ChatGPT to help to write this blog post and especially review my grammar and sentences. My vocabulary isn’t that big but I still enjoy to express myself from time to time. I won’t make pass another year to write another post, this winter I’ll have more time to focus on trading and I intend to create more content all around my channels (X, YouTube and Telegram).
See you around.
