I have often heard conversations where someone proudly says they are planning to quit their job and trade full-time in the stock markets.
The idea is simple and seductive: why work for a salary when you can make money directly from the market? A few profitable trades are usually enough to create this belief. It looks like an upgrade from a steady paycheck to a life of freedom.
Yet beneath this dream is a trap.
SEBI’s data shows that 93 percent of retail traders in F&O lose money. That figure does not mean all of them left their jobs, but it shows how dangerous this game is. Many still try it out on the side, while a portion go further and make it their only source of income. The danger is that once you take that leap too early, you may get stuck. Without the cushion of a stable salary, the losses can spiral into debt, stress, and regret.
That is what makes the mindset so risky. Trading is not designed to be a reliable job. It is a high-speed, high-pressure arena where even the most disciplined struggle to survive. Quitting work for it is not just a career move, it is a gamble with your financial stability and peace of mind.
The Early Wins That Create Overconfidence
Every story I have seen of someone leaving their job for trading begins the same way. It starts with a few trades that go right.
A ₹10,000 profit in a single day, or a ₹50,000 win in one week. Numbers that look small to professionals feel massive when compared with a monthly salary. The mind starts doing the math. If a few trades can make so much, then a full-time effort should create even more.
That is where the danger begins. The market is designed to reward you just enough at the start to make you believe you have figured it out. The wins feel like skill, not luck. The trading screen becomes addictive because every tick looks like an opportunity. Soon, work feels like a waste of time, and quitting it appears logical.
What I have observed is that these early profits often act like fuel. They build an illusion of control. The trader thinks the market is predictable, that they have a special edge, and that more time in front of the screen will only multiply the gains. The job starts to look like a distraction from what could be a far richer career. This is when many resign, convinced they are making a rational decision, when in reality they are stepping into a game where the odds are already stacked against them.
The Unraveling
The real test of trading begins after the first streak of wins fades. At some point, the market always shifts. A sudden announcement, a change in global sentiment, or even just routine volatility can turn a winning position into a loss in minutes.
This is when denial begins to creep in. Most traders who have quit their jobs have no fallback income. Every trade now feels like rent money or grocery money. That pressure clouds judgment. Instead of reducing risk, many increase it. They double their positions, convinced that one good trade will make up for everything. Losses start piling up, but the trader keeps saying to themselves, “It is just temporary, the big win is coming.”
I have seen this cycle play out repeatedly. The losses are not always dramatic at first. A few thousand here, a few thousand there. What hurts is the way it chips away at the original capital. A trading account that once showed ₹10 lakh slowly comes down to 8 lakh, then 6 lakh, then 4 lakh. The decline is steady, but the denial is stronger. The trader refuses to accept that they are not in control.
By this stage, the market has already taken more than money. It takes away peace of mind. Days are filled with stress, nights with regret. Family conversations shrink, relationships strain, health declines. The trader keeps believing they will recover, but with no salary to fall back on, the hole only grows deeper. And in most cases, the outcome is the same. SEBI’s numbers prove it: more than 93 percent lose in F&O, and those losses over three years have crossed ₹1.8 lakh crore. Behind those numbers are stories of capital eroded and stability lost.
What begins as a dream of financial freedom ends with a mix of shame and regret. The realization always comes late — trading cannot replace the reliability of a paycheck, and quitting a job too early turns what could have been a side experiment into a life-altering setback.
A Hard Reflection and a Plea
Every story I have seen of full-time trading ends with the same question: was it worth it? In most cases, the answer is no. The money lost is only one part of it. What hurts more is the time wasted, the stress carried, and the stability that disappears. A job is not only about a paycheck, it is about structure and security. Trading strips that away and replaces it with a constant uncertainty that never lets you rest.
I know a family that was broken after F&O trades went wrong. Gold worth ₹25 lakh was pledged quietly, and nearly ₹20 lakh was lost before anyone realised. The financial loss was severe, but the damage to trust at home was even worse.
If someone still chooses to trade, let it remain a side activity, not a main career. Do it only with money you can afford to lose. Do it knowing that nine out of ten retail traders lose, as SEBI’s own numbers confirm. Do it with discipline and humility, not with the expectation that it can replace a salary.
My plea is simple. Do not quit your job for trading. Do not turn it into your only livelihood. The market does not provide stability, it only provides risk. Once you fall into that trap, the regret is heavier than the losses. Protect your savings. Protect your peace. Keep trading at the side, never at the centre of your life.
Disclaimer
Note: This article relies on data from fund reports, index history, and public disclosures. We have used our own assumptions for analysis and illustrations.
The purpose of this article is to share insights, data points, and thought-provoking perspectives on investing. It is not investment advice. If you wish to act on any investment idea, you are strongly advised to consult a qualified advisor. This article is strictly for educational purposes. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of my current or past employers.
Parth Parikh has over a decade of experience in finance and research. He currently heads growth and content strategy at Finsire, where he works on investor education initiatives and products like Loan Against Mutual Funds (LAMF) and financial data solutions for banks and fintechs.