r/stocks Mar 22, 12:26 AM
It's perfectly ok to feel lousy about losing money and it's also ok to still feel lousy after you've heard all the typical responses In late 2025, I lump-summed a LARGE about of money that I had cautiously been saving over a decade in a HYSA. In essence, I'm a newcomer to the stock market. I invested 100% in index funds, and I am currently down almost $100,000. I do not intend to sell, and I realize that my situation is simply the result of bad timing that I could not have possibly foreseen (Iran, oil prices, etc). I will not panic sell, as I am not retiring for 12 years or so, and I'm trying to maintain the conventional wisdom that by that time none of this will matter when I "zoom out."
But damn, I'm tired of hearing the talking points parroted whenever I see somebody fretting about their losses. "This is a buying opportunity!" "I welcome dips because I can load up on more!" And of course, the most obnoxious one: "If you can't handle it you shouldn't be investing in stocks!" I have never in my life even earned $100,000 in a calendar year. It's perfectly reasonable to be pissed off that I've lost that much in half that time because of bullshit I can't control. In my case, my first experience in the market is a giant loss equal to two years of my net income! On paper it's probably extended my working years. The idea that one "shouldn't be investing in stocks if they can't handle losses" when everybody knows that's pretty much the only way to avoid eating cat food in retirement is insulting and dismissive. The only decent response to these types of posts should be "we know, we've been there, and please just don't sell because you'll make it worse."
So for any of you who are feeling lousy for giving up your gains, or if you're like me and you're new to equities and have only experienced losses, try not to get too down and know that you're not alone. And DON'T SELL. Let's all hope it gets better sooner rather than later!
submitted by /u/BuffaloCannabisCo
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