Crypto-assets are risky activities, so if we lose, this is the risk we should be aware of.
I also had the experience, but I was lucky when I started trading in 2017, benefiting from BTC and ETH. I learned to trade for the first time, guided by my brother, who had previously been a trader. Especially at that time, the price of the crypto-assets increased significantly. It is my precious experience, though when trades sometimes will also disappear.
I think the reason you made gain was because the market was bullish all the time at that time because your post shows you were a newbie trader then. At that time, all traders smiled but not anymore

This time is survival for professional trader and not just trading without experience. The make has become volatile now unlike in the past.