I Used to Hold Without Fear. Now I Sell Too Soon When I Have Unrealized Gains

Over the past decade, we've witnessed remarkable financial stories unfold. Companies like Nvidia have skyrocketed over 30,000%, while early Bitcoin investors have seen returns beyond imagination. These aren’t just numbers; they are examples of what’s possible when conviction meets patience.

In trading and investing, there’s a loud crowd that praises high-risk, high-reward strategies, especially options. But sometimes, the most powerful gains come not from complexity or speed, but from simply holding a good stock through time.

That sounds easy, but if you’ve been in the market long enough, you know it’s anything but.

When Holding Worked

Back when I started investing, I used Webull. I didn’t know much. I just kept reading one thing: “Buy and hold through volatility.”

So that’s what I did.

I bought FFWM at an average of $4.37 and held. Sold later at an average of $9.87.

First Foundation (FFWM)

I bought HMST around $5.14, and sold at about $14.20.

HomeStreet (HMST)

Nothing special. No complicated trades. Just patience. Just holding.

And it worked.

Not because I had some secret insight but because I didn’t panic. I let time do the work.

The Turning Point: When Experience Started to Get in the Way

As time went on, I gained experience. I learned technical analysis. I learned how to manage risk. I started seeing how fragile gains could be, how fast they could vanish if I waited too long.

That’s when my mindset shifted.

Instead of holding like before, I became quicker to sell. I started locking in “safe” profits. Sometimes at 1%. Sometimes at 1.5%. But almost always earlier than I used to.

And more often than I’d like to admit, I’d watch those stocks continue to climb long after I was out.

It didn’t feel like a loss but it didn’t feel like a win either.

Why I Started Selling Too Early

This shift didn’t happen overnight. It was slow and subtle.

As I gained more knowledge, I also became more aware of all the things that could go wrong:

What if the earnings report disappoints?
What if the market turns on news?
What if I lose this profit and regret not selling?

With that awareness came caution. And with caution came hesitation to hold.

I used to think that experience would make me better at holding longer. But the truth? It made me more protective. Less willing to endure volatility. More eager to lock in wins, even if they were smaller.

What I Realized About Myself

The more I reflected, the more I saw that this wasn’t really about stocks or options. It was about me. About the way I thought, felt, and reacted in uncertain moments.

I used to hold because I didn’t know better. But now I sell because I’ve seen too much.

And still, I wonder:

Was I more successful when I was more naive?
Or am I just wiser now, even if the gains are smaller?

Both can be true.

The Quiet Strength It Takes to Hold

Looking back, I respect my younger self not because I was smarter, but because I had something I’ve had to work harder to maintain now: emotional resilience.

It takes real strength to hold through red days, through dips that test your nerves, through sideways weeks that feel like forever. But those are often the moments when real profits are built.

And yet, I also respect where I am now. I tell myself this often:

“Don’t be greedy. Be content with the profit. Be grateful for what you have.”

That’s not defeat, it’s balance. It’s maturity. It’s understanding that success isn’t about chasing every last dollar. It’s about building habits that support your long-term goals and mental peace.

Not Every Win Needs to Be the Biggest

I used to think the best trades were the biggest ones. But now I see that the best trades are the ones that reflect who I am: cautious, thoughtful, and grateful.

I still believe in upside. I still look for great stocks. But I’ve accepted that I’m not the kind of trader who needs to squeeze out 300% every time.

If I make a solid gain and sleep well at night, that’s a win.

What I Take With Me Now

I still trade. I still invest.
I still get tempted to sell early.
I still regret missing bigger moves.
But I also remind myself: this is a long game.
And long games are won not by perfection but by consistency, clarity, and calm.

This journey has taught me more about my mindset than any stock chart ever could.

Because in the end, the most valuable return I’ve gained isn’t just financial.

It’s peace of mind.

And that’s something no ticker can measure.

Do You Have Experience Where Stock Gains > Options?

Over the past 10 years, both Nvidia and Bitcoin have delivered returns of up to 30,000%. In our community, we've also seen many users achieve over 100% gains from holding the underlying stock. In some cases, the returns even appear higher than those from options. For example, after TSM's earnings report yesterday, the stock surged, and one user shared a 222% gain from holding the stock. With gains this high, do you still believe in the leverage of options? Or do you believe in the magic of time? Have you ever made such impressive returns from holding the stock?

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.