Forex Trading Journal

GBP/USD Trading Journal

Introduction

This page publicly documents my closed GBP/USD forex trades.

The goal is not to appear perfect.
The goal is transparency, discipline, process, and long-term improvement.

This trading activity is separate from my long-term investment portfolio.


Trading Framework

Market Focus

  • GBP/USD only
  • Swing + short-term execution
  • Macro + technical structure
  • Risk-managed trading

Core Rules

  • Defined stop loss on every trade
  • Risk/reward minimum
  • No revenge trading
  • Capital preservation first
  • Execution journal after close

Performance Snapshot

MetricValue
Total Trades10
Win Rate20%
Avg Risk/Reward1:2.5
Total Return1,71%
Largest Win3.41%
Largest Loss1,01%
Current Drawdown

(I update this weekly)


Closed Trades


2026-05-14 — SUMMARY

Daily Total P/L 0.77%
Number of positions 2
Number of losses 1
Number of wins 1


Trade #010 — SHORT GBP/USD

Trade Details

MetricValue
Date2026.05.14
DirectionShort
Entry1.35255
Stop Loss1.35325 (7 pip) (0.32%)
than moved to breakeven
Take Profit1.34967 (28.8 pip) (1.32%)
Result+1.36%
Risk/Reward1:4.1

Trade Thesis

USD showed relative strength while GBP momentum weakened resulting a micro (hourly) downtrend in a consolidation phase of a bigger (weekly) uptrend.
Sold on the top of a pullback inside a fair value gap confirmed by a price rejection from a resistance level. Stop loss set above resistance targeting a 4.1:1 R:R ratio. After structure was confirmed as price felt and closed below previous support. After that it bounced back up from a higher support and almost reached my SL at break even but patience pays off. And even when it doesn't, the statistics will be on my side. 

What could have been improved?

The stop loss may have been positioned too wide relative to the fair value gap structure. A tighter stop placement above the imbalance zone could have improved capital efficiency and reduced holding time if the trade moved immediately in the intended direction. However, tighter positioning also increases the probability of premature stop-outs during volatility spikes. Another consideration is whether targeting a lower reward multiple (2:1–3:1 instead of 4.1:1) would improve long-term consistency and execution efficiency. This requires further forward testing and statistical validation across live market conditions.

Outcome

Trade reached take profit during London session.

Lesson

Patience on entry improved execution quality.

Screenshot

Actual 1:4 Risk:Reward GBP/USD Short trade setup on the 15 minute chart in London session.

Trade #009 — SHORT GBP/USD

Trade Details

MetricValue
Date2026.05.14
DirectionShort
Entry1.3520
Stop Loss1.3533
Take Profit1.3481
Result-0.59%
Risk/Reward1:4.2

Trade Thesis

Same setup as trade #010 but I entered the market too early. The market took out stop loss but it's fine. Because at least I had a stop loss. I never ever trade again without a stop loss order.

Outcome

Trade reached stop loss immediately as London opened.

Lesson

Patience on entry improved execution quality. Do not rush. Don't trade outside of London session.

Screenshot

Stop loss taken on GBP/USD Chart on 2026-05-14 immediately at London open because of a rushed entry too early before London session.

2026-05-13 — SUMMARY

Daily Total P/L0.92%
Number of positions8
Number of losses7
Number of wins1


Trade #008 — SHORT GBP/USD

Trade Details

MetricValue
Date2026.05.13
DirectionShort
Entry1.3520
Stop Loss~1.35295  (by hand)
Take Profit1.3501
Result+3.44%
Risk/Reward1:2

Trade Thesis

Same strategy as trade #001. The entry signal was an engulfing candle confirmed by high volume.

Outcome

Trade reached take profit with high volume during the overlap of the London and New York session. Smashed a support then bounced back.

Lesson

High volatility is dangerous. It can ruin your entire capital. One bad decision is enough. Never trade without setting a stop loss even if you monitor the trade every single second and ready to cut loss whenever price reaches half the amount of your target. Never higher your lot size. Never revenge trade. Never force making 1% a day. Never trade out of emotion out of impulse. Stick to your rules. Results will follow.

Screenshot

GBPUSD Price breaks out of a flag pattern forex chart
See the bigger picture on H4 where can it go. Price range of GBPUSD
Breaking down with volume out of a flag, out of a downtrend channel, from the top of the channel, through the bottom and smashing through a big higher support line.

Trade #007 — LONG GBP/USD

Trade Details

MetricValue
Date2026.05.13
DirectionLong
Entry1.3525
Stop Loss1.3520 (manual)
Take Profit1.3538
Result-1.01%
Risk/Reward1:2.6

Trade Thesis

Same strategy as trade #001. Entry signal was an engulfing. Market was highly volatile. It was an impulsive trade and the lot size was a little too high but at least I had a proper risk reward ratio which i followed and executed by without emotions. This is one of the most important part of the tested strategy. And it saved me. 

Outcome

Closed position in a loss regarding to the proper risk reward ratio and it is fine.

Lesson

Same as trade #008.

Screenshot



Trade #006 — LONG GBP/USD

Trade Details

MetricValue
Date2026.05.13
DirectionLong
Entry1.3529
Stop Loss1.3526
Take Profit~1.3535 (at least) (manual)
Result-0.60%
Risk/Reward~1:2 (at least)

Trade Thesis

Same strategy as trade #001. Exactly same trade as trade #007.

Outcome

Closed position manually .

Lesson

Patience on entry improved execution quality. Do not rush. Don't trade outside of London session.

Screenshot



Trade #005 — SHORT GBP/USD

Trade Details

MetricValue
Date2026.05.13
DirectionShort
Entry1.3531
Stop Loss1.3534 (manual)
Take Profit1.3528 (at least)
Result-0.15%
Risk/Reward1:2 (at least)

Trade Thesis

Same strategy as trade #001.

Outcome

Closed at loss according to R:R.

Lesson

Adding to positions can work some times. But it must be done strategically. Sometimes it feels like the market always hunts down your stop loss. Some times it does. Check your statistics.

Screenshot



Trade #004 — SHORT GBP/USD

Trade Details

MetricValue
Date2026.05.13
DirectionShort
Entry1.3528
Stop Loss1.3534
Take Profit~1.3516
Result-0.29%
Risk/Reward1:2 (at least)

Trade Thesis

Same strategy as trade #001.

Outcome

Closed at loss according to R:R.

Lesson

It's okay to make a mistake until you limit your losses.

Screenshot



Trade #003 — LONG GBP/USD

Trade Details

MetricValue
Date2026.05.13
DirectionLong
Entry1.3530
Stop Loss1.3525 (manual)
Take Profit~1.3520
Result-0.24%
Risk/Reward~1:2

Trade Thesis

Added to the first position (trade #001).

Outcome

Closed in a loss manually.

Lesson

Adding to positions can work some times. But it must be done strategically.

Screenshot



Trade #002 — LONG GBP/USD

Trade Details

MetricValue
Date2026.05.13
DirectionLong
Entry1.3533
Stop Loss1.3525 (manual)
Take Profit1.3509
Result-0.16%
Risk/Reward~1:2

Trade Thesis

Added to the first position (trade #001).

Outcome

Closed in a loss manually.

Lesson

Sometimes price almost reaches your target but then it reverses and you must close in a loss. But that's fine.

Screenshot



Trade #001 — LONG GBP/USD

Trade Details

MetricValue
Date2026.05.13
DirectionLong
Entry1.3529
Stop Loss1.3525 (manual)
Take Profit~1.3517
Result-0.08%
Risk/Reward~1:2

Trade Thesis

It's a simple strategy that I came up with by back testing the market dozens and dozens of times. It based on simple price action, support and resistance levels, pullbacks, the back and force nature of price movements, price channels, trend lines, the overall trend on a higher time frame, entry confirmations of the price, and a positive risk reward ratio. I can be loose with the strategy and still be profitable.

Outcome

Closed in a loss manually.

Lesson

Cutting losses short doesn't hurt anymore.

Screenshot



GBP/USD Trade Jounal Spredsheet

Comments