Stressed by Stock Market Volatility? Here’s How I Keep Long-Term Investing Calmly Through the Chaos

Scary. Overwhelming. Risky. Time-consuming. Boring. 

‘Investing isn’t for me.’

I hear this all the time from women who feel like the stock market is too complicated, too unstable to trust, or just too ‘made-for-men.’ Heck! I was scared to invest too… until I contributed my first dollar.

Overcoming the fear of investing is one of the most empowering money shifts I experienced and now witness in my financial coaching practice. But lately, even my most seasoned investors are asking the same thing:

"What the heck is going on with the market?"

The fear of losing money, the emotional rollercoaster of the stock market, the uncertainty of it all… I feel it too.

Even as a Certified Financial Trainer. Even as someone who consumes personal finance podcasts like they're an essential food group.

If you're thinking, "I want to invest but I'm scared", this post is for you.

Here are 5 ways I’m staying calm and investing in the face of financial uncertainty.

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Reminder #1: Market volatility is normal. Expected.

Every financial plan I give includes an emergency fund. This is a foundational step of personal finances because it’s not a matter of if but when an emergency expense comes up. 

In a way, we can expect the unexpected. 

It’s not a negative mindset, it’s a realistic one. And one that will help us make the best choices when something does come up. 

Investing is the same! A market downturn or correction is not if but when. 

There’s comfort in knowing the market had dropped before and recovered every time. When you understand that volatility is normal, not catastrophic, it’s easier to stick to (or start) an investing strategy that’s built for the long term.

Reminder #2: This is a blip in my long-term investing timeline.

I’m a long-term investor. I’m 30 years old and in the accumulation phase of wealth building. My investing timeline is long. Decades even.

Yes, the market feels shaky right now. But if history is any indicator (and it usually is), today’s dip will look tiny in 10, 20, or 30 years.

Being a buy-and-hold investor comes with peace of mind. The investing strategy is simple, rooted in long-term market performance, and way better for my nervous system than trying to time the stock market.

Take the S&P 500, for example, odds are by 2055 it will be much higher than it is today. So whether I invest at this year’s peak or its lowest dip probably won’t matter much 30 years from now. That perspective helps me stay consistent with dollar-cost averaging, even when headlines feel scary.

Reminder #3: Flip the script, stocks are on sale!

Bear with me, as this is in opposition to my last point, but this one is about the mindset needed to continue purchasing investments, not necessarily the math.

You’ve probably heard “buy low, sell high” at some point. Well, now’s your chance. When the market is down, stocks are on sale!

It’d be easy to think, “The market’s too unstable—I’ll just wait to invest.” But flipping that thought to “This might be the best time to buy” helps me stay consistent with my long-term investing plan, even when things feel shaky.

So if you're wondering, “Should I invest when the market is down?” or “Is it smart to invest during a dip?” let the wise words of Warren Buffet be your answer: “When it rains gold, put out the bucket, not the thimble.” Here’s more on what that quote means.

Reminder #4: Turn off the (financial) news. 

“Everything is probably fine—stay the course” doesn’t make for a click-worthy headline. You know what does? Fear. Panic. Doom… you know like:

Major stocks crash. Recession looming. Billions wiped out.

If you’re consuming that kind of content every day, no wonder you’re feeling anxious about the stock market. Financial news anxiety is real, and it’s not helpful when you’re trying to invest with a long-term mindset.

The American Psychological Association found media overload is negatively impacting our mental health. Don Grant, PhD, suggests setting media guardrails: “Turn off all notifications, add tech-free periods to the day, and don’t bring phones to the dinner table. Limit social media checks to 15 minutes.” 

When money’s involved, it’s that much more important to set these boundaries.

Bonus Reminder: In a true worst-case scenario… my 401(k) is the least of my worries.

This might just be my weird way of calming financial anxiety, but hear me out:

If the entire stock market actually collapsed forever… we’re talking apocalyptic, Mad Max energy… my Roth IRA wouldn’t save me anyway.

So yeah, I’m gonna keep investing and assume we’re not heading full doomsday. Somehow, that helps.

Final Thoughts on Stock Market Investing in 2025

Market dips can shake an experienced investor just as much as a beginner investor, but you don’t have to let fear run the show. These reminders help me stay calm, clear-headed, and committed to the long game.

On the fence about investing? Check out my money coaching programs. Together, we:

• Decode intimidating financial jargon and investing terminology

• Navigate beginner-friendly investing platforms

• Learn how to assess risk and understand the risk of not investing (opportunity cost)

• Review the long-term history of the stock market returns

So you can confidently begin investing!

Now I’d love to hear from you:

How is financial anxiety showing up for you lately?

What helps you stay steady when the market feels uncertain?

Drop your thoughts or tips in the comments—I’d love to learn from you, too.