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There are two games going on: there is BT's game, his ability to consistently play his best against a variety of opponent skills, styles, personalities, a variety of stakes, and a variety of variance players, like Farha.

Then there is the metagame. There is his ability to judge whether his bankroll swings have become too dangerous for the velocity of money he is putting at risk.

It very important to keep one truth of trading/poker in mind at all times: if you are on a serious downswing, and you put it down to poor play which can not be remedied, and you give up, you are probably finished as a professional at that level (or at least for a number of years).

By giving up, you have so severely damage your ego-thought-process that psychologically you no longer can think clearly when playing at those stakes.

Breaks are an option, as are different opponents, different venues, etc. But there really is only one way to re-establish your ego and confidence without continuing the excessive risk: and that is drastically lower your $ velocity, wait until you start winning consistently, regain your confidence. This takes time, a lot of time, maybe a year or more, and it is boring and humbling compared to playing at the higher levels.

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This is very well put, and something I am constantly trying to warn people about even at midstakes. Whether or not you are ready to move up often has very little to do with your bankroll or your skill level. It's more the ability of your ego to weather the storm of a downswing. If you would need weeks away from the game after a 15-20 buyin downswing, or it would take months to get your game/confidence back to that level, then don't [censored] move up. I see so many people think they are ready to push the limits, and then 2 months later they are a mess, and can't bear to even think about poker. Anyway, regardless of how relevant this is or isn't to Aba, it's still very well put, thanks.