I was having drinks this week with two friends – one retired, the other counting down the months. Both are smart, switched-on, and both manage their own investments. And both were absolutely buzzing.
Gold, they told me. They’d finally cracked it. Safe haven. Inflation hedge. Can’t lose.
Fast forward a few days and the tone had changed. Gold had dipped. Not collapsed – just dipped – but suddenly the confidence was wobbling. The excitement had turned into that familiar feeling anyone who manages their own super knows all too well.
That sickening drop in the stomach.
Because when you manage your own money, especially later in life, the market doesn’t feel theoretical. It feels personal. And in volatile times, the emotional roller coaster can tempt even sensible people to make very bad decisions.
Here are seven things worth remembering when markets turn rough – and you start wondering whether to jump off on the way down.
Don’t confuse a dip with a disaster
Markets move. Always have, always will.
A bad week – or even a bad month – is not the same thing as a permanent loss. Gold goes down. Shares go down. Property goes sideways. That’s the price of investing, not a sign the system is broken.
If your investment thesis hasn’t changed, a short-term dip shouldn’t suddenly turn you into a panicked seller.
Do remember why you invested in the first place
Before you hit “sell”, ask yourself one question: Why did I buy this?
Was it for long-term growth? Income? Diversification? Protection against inflation? If the reason still stands, reacting emotionally to short-term price movements rarely ends well.
Markets test patience. That’s how they separate investors from gamblers.
Don’t watch the market every day
This is harder than it sounds – especially when it’s your super.
But daily checking magnifies fear. What feels like “staying informed” often turns into stress on tap. Long-term investments aren’t designed to be monitored like a heart rate.
If daily volatility makes you anxious, step back. The market will still be there tomorrow.
Do diversify – even when one asset feels ‘safe’
Gold feels safe until it isn’t. Shares feel risky until they aren’t. No single asset is immune to sentiment shifts.
If too much of your money is riding on one idea, one sector or one trend, volatility will feel brutal. Diversification doesn’t eliminate losses — but it does soften the emotional and financial blows.
No one asset should be responsible for your sleep patterns.
Don’t make big decisions on bad days
Volatile markets are emotional markets. Fear and greed are amplified, and both are terrible financial advisers.
Selling after a fall locks in losses. Buying aggressively after a surge often locks in regret. If you’re feeling panicked, that’s your cue to pause – not act.
Sleep on it. Then sleep on it again.
Do accept that managing your own super is hard
This part doesn’t get said enough.
Running your own investments in retirement isn’t a hobby – it’s a responsibility with real consequences. It’s mentally draining, emotionally taxing and unforgiving of mistakes.
There’s no shame in seeking advice, using professionals, or simplifying your strategy if the stress outweighs the benefits.
Peace of mind has value too.
Don’t jump off the roller coaster mid-ride
Markets recover – but only for those still on board.
Every major downturn in history has felt terrifying in the moment and obvious in hindsight. The people who survived best weren’t the cleverest — they were the calmest.
If you’ve planned properly, allowed for volatility and invested with time on your side, the worst move is often the one made in a rush.
Managing your own super can be empowering – but it can also be relentless. One week you feel brilliant. The next, foolish. That’s the nature of markets.
The goal isn’t to avoid volatility. It’s to avoid letting volatility make decisions for you.
And sometimes, the smartest move of all is simply staying seated – hands inside the carriage – until the ride smooths out again.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your financial or legal situation, objectives or needs. That means it’s not financial product or legal advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a financial or legal decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get independent, licensed financial services or legal advice.
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