Last week, everyone who turned on their screens was a little glum. The stock market fell sharply, red dominated everything from stocks to crypto. Similar reactions on social media: “Negative again, depressed again…” The picture seems to be getting a little better in the last few days, but that inner depression is not going away easily. Maybe you thought about buying during the decline in the past weeks but didn’t dare, now you look at the screen and say “if only.” Or you are just trying to digest the loss in your portfolio. Because the issue is not just losing one day. That decline touches something bigger inside us: loss of control, insecurity, the feeling of “did I do something wrong?”
Moreover, we don’t feel it as intensely when we win. Although this imbalance may seem strange, it is actually very human. Studies show that the brain feels losses twice as intensely as gains. In other words, if you get upset when you see your portfolio in red, this is not “too much emotion”; it is biology.
When many people look at their investment accounts, they only see numbers on the screen. But for you, those numbers represent something: Your future plans, maybe your dream of freedom, maybe just the feeling of “I’m in the red.” In other words, a falling portfolio doesn’t just cause a monetary loss — it also causes a loss of internal motivation. Research shows that when markets fall, people’s moods also deteriorate. Antidepressant use increases, and the search for psychological support increases. Because what we call loss is often not just money; confidence, hope, and a sense of the future also decrease.
According to research, people between the ages of 45 and 64 are most affected by financial losses. Because people in this age group see investments more as a “future guarantee.” However, this does not mean that young people or those at the beginning of their investment journey are not affected by this situation. On the contrary, many investors, especially between the ages of 25 and 40, have created portfolios with high hopes in the last few years. Some have encountered crypto, some have entered the stock market for the first time, and some are trying to increase their savings. Therefore, regardless of age, it is necessary to say this: If the decline in your portfolio shakes you, you are not alone. This does not mean that you are inexperienced or weak. It shows that you are now acquainted with the realities of the investment world.
The reds in your portfolio affect not only your pocket but also your mind. When declines begin, you lose sleep, your mood drops, and scenarios start to play in your head. “What if it falls even further, what if I did wrong, what if this money doesn’t come back…” These feelings are not as rare as you think. Research shows that both physical and psychological effects increase with market losses. Insomnia, loss of appetite, concentration problems, stress-related headaches… If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone.
When the stock market falls, everyone’s first reflex is the same: Should I sell, should I buy, should I not look? All of these questions are very normal. But making decisions based on emotions often brings harm. Therefore, the most important skill is to be able to manage that first reaction moment. It is useful to take a step back, take a deep breath, and ask yourself, “Why did I make this investment?” If your portfolio constantly makes you uneasy, maybe it is time to review the structure. A simpler, more balanced portfolio is more sustainable both financially and emotionally, and remember, it’s good to talk. Sometimes with a friend, sometimes with an expert, sometimes just with your own voice… The answer to the question “Am I the only one who feels this way?” is usually “No.”
Earnings are nice, of course. But the real test of your investment journey begins not when you win, but when you fall. So the resilience you show when your portfolio is in the red can be more instructive than the joy you feel when you win. The stock market will always be volatile. It’s up today, it’s down tomorrow. But the approach you develop to that volatility won’t just make you a better investor; it’ll make you a stronger person. Patience instead of panic, awareness instead of uncontrolled reactions… This is the real foundation of long-term success. After all, the most valuable asset in this game is not money, it’s you.
