Staying Grounded in Turbulent Times

The markets—and the world—feel incredibly volatile right now. Conversations about investing, the future, or designing a life on our terms are inevitably intertwined with uncertainty and fear.

While no one can predict exactly what will happen next, we can anchor ourselves in a few key truths:

1) Fear-Driven Decisions Rarely Lead to Good Outcomes

When the market fluctuates, it’s natural to crave control. This often leads to behaviors like obsessively checking the news or refreshing portfolio balances, asking questions like:

"What is the stock market doing today?"​

"How much has my portfolio dropped this week?"​

"Who is saying what about the latest policy changes?"

While these questions are understandable, they don’t serve us. Instead, shift your focus to what you can control:

✔ What is truly important to me in this life?​

✔ How can I bring more attention to those things?​

✔ What would make me feel better?

Your financial strategy should support your life—not the other way around.

2) Market Cycles Are Natural and Necessary for Growth

No market grows indefinitely. While the past few years have seen rapid expansion (driven mostly by a handful of companies), downturns are part of the process. Historically, every decline has been followed by a stronger recovery.

This chart illustrates how rare it is for the stock market to experience long periods of negative returns. Source: The Measure of a Plan

This isn’t just optimism—it’s backed by decades of data. The economy moves in cycles, and while downturns feel uncomfortable, they create opportunities for long-term investors (like you 😉 ).

3) The Right Strategies Create Confidence

Having a clear plan helps reduce panic when the market dips. We work with our clients on building tailored plans for their goals and risk tolerance. No matter what those are, here are a few key principles to stay grounded:

• Stay diversified across asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities).

• Keep investing through market fluctuations—this is how long-term wealth is built.

• Maintain an emergency fund in an accessible account to avoid selling investments at a loss.

Additional Strategies for Staying Resilient

To navigate market volatility with confidence:

✅ Diversify beyond U.S. growth stocks/funds—owning international funds, small/mid-cap funds, and bonds is a great way to diversify within the stock market.

✅ Consider other asset classes—commodities, real estate, and businesses (many of which can be accessed via a brokerage account, no private investing required).

✅ Limit portfolio check-ins—constant monitoring fuels anxiety. Stick to a schedule and trust your strategy.

Volatility isn’t a reason to panic—it’s a normal part of investing. Keep your eyes on the bigger picture, trust your strategy, and remember why you started in the first place.