cycle of market emotions

This past Saturday, I spent 10 hours and 2 minutes hiking, cycling and canoeing around Snowdonia to raise funds for Action Medical Research (JustGiving link below). The event was aptly named 'Race The Sun' and considering we started at 7am, we got in just in time before the Earth rotated away from the giant star in the sky! Success! Yes, but the price was heavy. I hadn't rode a bike in almost 30 years and taking on the best of what Cymru has to offer without any formal training was a mistake to say the least. At one particular point, both my quads seized up at the same time which made for interesting viewing half way up a hill with Anglesey below.

Going up and down Snowdon and the Welsh mountains was certainly an emotional experience: 'Optimism' at the start of the day, 'Desperation' when we realised we might never get off those hills and 'Relief' as we canoed our way to the finish line. It made me think of the graphic below and how we, as investors, go through a whole series of sensations in the stock market. We are told to "stay invested" and "be patient" but its hard, especially in the moment. We are all human and our rational brain desserts us at the best of times, never mind when we are under pressure.

For anyone reading this post, I would be interested in hearing where on the scale you think we are right now?

Also, if you have read this far, you can still sponsor (post the event I know but at least you know I have done it and gone through the pain!) for what is an amazing charity that helps children born with disability and funds research that helps to reduce premature births. Anyone who has already sponsored, thank you.

No pics of me in cycling shorts either. Markets are scary enough.