How to decide there is a trend

An uptrend is higher highs and higher lows. A downtrend is lower highs and lower lows. Anything else is a range, and most of the time you are in a range.

Why the definition matters

"It feels like it is going up" is not a definition, and a feeling cannot be checked later. With the definition above you can point at two specific highs and say why.

The trend is only broken when structure breaks

A single scary red candle does not end an uptrend. The trend ends when a low that mattered gets taken out and the next high fails to make a new one.

Ranges are the normal state

Markets spend most of their life going sideways. Trying to trade a range as if it were a trend is where a lot of losses come from — you buy the top of the box because it "broke out".

The usual mistake

Deciding the trend after you have a position. Write down which highs and lows you are using first.

This is for learning and is not investment advice.