Remember that for every savvy trader who bought low and sold high, there was a poor schmuck who had to sell low in capitulation and another equally pitiful sucker who bought at the top. One of the classic signs of a bull market top is that the layman suddenly thinks that stocks are a good way to get rich quick. During recessions, the general public reviles stocks as a fool's gold. Greed is a vice that the old pros count on for that last little 'oomph' of momentum before they close their long positions and go short. If you want to get involved with online trading because you enjoy the challenge of a steep learning curve, and because you are a student of economics, history, computer science, information management, statistics, human nature, public theater, chaos and folly, plus you have money to burn, welcome.
Trading is stressful.
Stressing about money is particularly uncomfortable for many people. Try to determine what level of risk allows you to sleep well at night. Start to keep a trading diary to track your emotional responses to various market events. Perhaps, you can use your emotional state as a reliable contrarian indicator. Hey, it works for me.