Today, I encountered a critical error in my day trading practice that underscores the perils of deviating from disciplined strategies. I initiated a trade involving options, which resulted in a $2,000 loss due to a panic-induced decision to sell at the worst possible moment. This mistake was compounded when I imprudently increased my position size from one contract to five contracts in an attempt to recover the loss, exposing myself to significantly higher risk. While the subsequent trade yielded a $1,500 gain, this outcome does not justify the reckless escalation in position size. My experience highlights the importance of adhering to established trading protocols, controlling emotional responses, and avoiding the temptation to increase risk exposure after a loss. I aim to share this experience to reinforce the critical importance of discipline and risk management in trading activities.