Gold has had a 12 year bull market. Gold has outperformed every asset class. So I do not get your 'excuse' for gold's poor performance.
I generate cash by making dentures, doing root fillings, placing implants, fabricating veneers etc etc. I do not need to trade, and neither do 95% of homo sapiens. My dry powder is spent on eating out, purchasing music, travelling when ever the tiny one allows us etc. etc. and whatever is left goes into physical gold.
I tell you its a winning strategy without any stress associated with trading.