If there’s one thing that the stock market guarantees – it’s regret. Whether you’re rolling in profits or drowning in losses, you just cannot escape the feeling of regret. It’s like trying to avoid drama when watching reality TV shows – it’s impossible.
If you want to survive in the stock market in a sustainable way, you need to learn the art of regret management. Think of it like a chronic disease like diabetes. You can manage it, but it’ll never truly go away.
So why do I say that regret is such a permanent characteristic of the stock market? Let’s dive into a few scenarios that I am sure most of you can relate to.
Bought too much
You were feeling confident, maybe too confident. You bought truck load of a single stock because, why not? It was a sure thing, right? Now even the smallest price drop feels like you’re watching your money swirl down the toilet. You’ve over-leveraged yourself, and each tiny fluctuation in the stock price makes your stomach churn. But hey, on the bright side, at least you’re receiving dividends in the form of regret!
Bought too little
After experiencing regret of buying too much, you dip your toes in the water, just a little. Because now you’re cautious investor, right? You’ve seen this before. No need to go all in. Then the stock goes crazy and moves up by 20x, leaving you with a fraction of the gains. Suddenly, your “cautious” strategy looks more like a super bad case of FOMO. But hey, who needs 25x returns when you can have a spoonful dose of regret!
Sold too early
Ah, the feeling of selling your stock after a nice 5x return. You’re practically a wizard. Until, of course, the stock continues to skyrocket and you’re left watching from the sidelines as it hits 20x. You’re now the genius who left the party just before the cake was served. But no worries, at least you can enjoy your half-baked regret.
Sold too late
This time, you’ve nailed it and bought the right stock, at the right time, in the right amount. And then… you held on. And on. And on. And on. As the stock tumbled from its peak, you optimistically told yourself it would bounce back, until it didn’t. Now you’re selling at 5x, wishing you’d sold it at 20x like a rational human being. But who needs 20x profits when you can have the satisfaction of riding that regret rollercoaster all the way to the bottom?
Bought too early
You’ve been tracking that company like a hawk, and you just know this is the perfect time to buy. So, you do. And immediately the stock plunges, making your “perfect” entry price look like amateur hour. Now you get to enjoy the regret of not waiting just a little bit longer while watching your money shrink. A+ timing, truly.
Bought to late
You’re playing it cool, waiting for the stock price to dip so you can pounce. But instead of dipping, it soars like a rocket, and suddenly you’re left chasing it like a dog chasing its tail. When you finally muster the courage to buy, it’s at its peak, with just enough room left for some measly crumbs of return and a big serving of regret on the side.
Conclusion
As you can see, regret in the stock market isn’t a possibility, it’s an inevitability. You can’t dodge it, outrun it, or outsmart it. The best you can do is accept it and learn to live with it. And here’s the kicker: you only learn how to manage regret after you’ve already experienced all forms of it.
At first, as a newbie you’ll try to game the system, thinking you can make flawless moves and avoid regret altogether. How adorable. Eventually, reality will hit like a ton of bricks, and you’ll start focusing on managing your regrets instead of avoiding them.
Until then, enjoy your constant state of “could’ve, would’ve, should’ve.” Because in the stock market, regret is not just an option—it’s a lifestyle.