When I first started investing, I spent a lot of time trying to find the right strategy.
Over time, I realized that simply holding broad index ETFs like QQQ, VOO, and SPY taught me more than most of the things I was trying to study.
Not because they are special, but because they expose you to your own behavior.
There were plenty of days where I felt the urge to sell everything, especially during drawdowns. There were also periods where I wanted to add aggressively after strong runs.
I started keeping notes on those moments. Nothing complicated, just what I felt and what the market was doing at the time.
Looking back, most of those decisions would have been driven by emotion, not by any real edge.
It took me a while to accept that managing your own reactions is a big part of this. Probably more important than people want to admit.
Took me longer than I expected to figure that out. Curious if others had a similar experience
Something I wish I understood earlier about holding index ETFs
byu/Sufficient-Juice2978 instocks
Posted by Sufficient-Juice2978
9 Comments
So…buy and hold like most of the wise suggestions here. Got it
This is very realistic, honestly. Index ETFs do not test your stock-picking skills; they test your patience and behavior. I went through the same cycles; I wanted to sell during dips and double-down after rallies, but more often than not, it would have been the wrong decision. Once you figure out that your worst enemy is your own timing skills, everything becomes much easier. In truth, the “boring” strategy isn’t easy; it makes you confront yourself.
Buy and write it off for 5-7 years. Don’t bother checking and ruining your day. It may dip but always comes back stronger . History proves it. These are the base of stock market and investors won’t let them die out.
I’ve been holding JNJ since 1850
It’s almost as if the advice of buy and hold, well documented as the best strategy, is considered that for a reason
This is the way. Most experts dont even beat the indices of the stocks they are trading.
Diversify domestically and intl with ETFs, gold, real estate, and bonds and enjoy the ride.
Dont sell on dips, try to buy more on dips and retire early.
Consistency beats timing every single time
You discovered what Wall Street literature has discussed for over a century
Implied, but I feel needs to be stated: having a trading journal is a level up a lot of folks don’t get to.