The Price That Got Away

Even though I’m just an ordinary 9-to-5 worker (so definitely not super gross rich), I always try to set aside a small portion of my income to invest. I know I’m a bit late to this habit—so if there’s one piece of advice I can give to younger generations, it’s to start investing as early as you can.

I’m not an investment guru, though. Even now, nearing 30, I still have so much to learn. There are so many instruments to invest in and so many fundamentals to understand first.

Investing is definitely not like Stardew Valley’s gemstone copier machine.

Disclaimer: If you’re reading this, I encourage you to truly learn and understand the instrument of your choice before investing. Also, I’m not going to recommend anything here—I’m a lifestyle blogger, not a super-rich keynote speaker at an investment forum.

So, why this topic, if I’m not going to spill any investment tea, you ask? Well, I just want to share a bit of my recent experience. It’s nothing life-changing—I didn’t even spend that much money—but I hope you get something from it.

The story started not long ago when I invested in something (still won’t name names, because consistency). There had been whispers about how the market price might crash soon, and after doing my own little analysis, I was pretty sure the rumor was true. So, I decided to sell. The amount I invested was tiny—less than six dollars—but that was beside the point. I was just glad I got to practice analyzing and make a small gain.

But then, a few weeks after I sold it, something unexpected happened: the market price skyrocketed. Last I checked, it shot up as if aiming for Pluto and never coming back. The markets laughed. Retail investors like me mourned the loss of an almost.

If that wasn’t bad enough, imagine the same saga happening two more times. Yes, I missed three opportunities in just a few months. And while I did gain a little, the “what could have been” haunted me endlessly. I felt genuinely bad.

Let’s face it: I’m human, and it’s human to feel regret.

It turns out that this phenomenon even has a name—seller’s remorse. After doing some research, I learned that it’s psychologically natural: the pain of missing gains often feels worse than the satisfaction of avoiding losses.

While I was wallowing in missed opportunities, a little voice inside me whispered, “You should be grateful.” I felt slapped—and seen. Why was I whining about “just a little gain”? I should’ve been thankful instead. A gain is a gain. The investment market isn’t a playground—it’s unpredictable, full of daily ups and downs. I should’ve been grateful that I walked away with something.

(To put it simply: I felt bad for missing a golden opportunity. Then I felt bad for feeling bad about it.)

I know it’s human to wonder about the would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. But when I went to a funeral home to pay respects to a colleague who had just lost his father to cancer, I realized how futile my worry was. Money can buy many things, but not everything.

If there’s one thing this experience taught me, it’s that what’s meant for me will be mine. No matter how much I invest or how high the market price climbs—if it’s not meant to be, it never will be.

So, please let this story serve as a gentle reminder: blessings come in many forms—health, peace, family, friends, and more. We can’t let money be the only currency that determines how blessed we are.

If you like this post, you might also enjoy The Hidden Weight of Financial Guilt (Which I’m Letting Go) and The Art of Listening.