Why convert? I bought options some months ago when the SP was up...

Why convert?
I bought options some months ago when the SP was up and paid 0.02 per option. As the SP kept dropping I felt I had to pay the exercise price (another 0.02) and realise the (50%) loss as the Option market buyers dried up quickly. I seem to recall buy offers in October and November being around the 0.01 per option mark and from there buy offer depth evaporated. Buyers were offering 0.007 in the last few weeks.
If I didn't exercise the options I would have either sold them at a significant loss or lost the money altogether.
I chose to exercise and put the AVL shares in a drawer til I realise a profit which is the unknown.
A 'bear market' learning for me. Options can make you a forced buyer.