To The Moon

The stock market has been on a remarkable run. Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite have smashed through their previous records, hitting fresh all-time highs. Since the dip in April — triggered in part by tariff tensions, the S&P 500 has rebounded by about 23%, adding nearly $10 trillion in market cap.

NASDAQ (.IXIC)

S&P 500 (.SPX)

Even more striking, market data shows this is shaping up to be the fastest recovery to record closing levels in U.S. stock market history, taking just 89 trading days to bounce back from a drop of more than 15%.

If someone had gone all-in during the April lows, their portfolio would likely look very green right now. But I didn’t go all in and honestly, I’m glad I didn’t.

Why I Didn’t Go All In And Why I Don’t Regret It

Yes, it’s tempting to imagine the "what ifs." What if I had thrown everything into the market back in April? How much more would I have gained by now?

Probably a lot more. But to me, investing isn’t just about returns, it’s also about emotional balance.

Going all in might have given me a bigger short-term gain, but it would have taken something far more valuable from me: peace of mind. I would’ve lost sleep, checking prices constantly, feeling the stress. That level of risk may work for some investors, but it doesn't work for me.

The Market’s Bullish But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe

There’s no denying that we’re currently in a bull market. Optimism is high. Tech stocks are soaring. Indexes are breaking records. It’s the kind of environment that makes people start thinking everything only goes up.

But to me, this is also the kind of environment where caution is critical. Valuations can run ahead of fundamentals. Excitement can cloud judgment. FOMO starts creeping in and that's when mistakes happen.

I keep reminding myself of Buffett’s timeless advice:

“Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”

Right now, it feels like a lot of people are getting greedy. And that’s exactly why I prefer to stay disciplined.

My Approach: Calm, Selective, and Steady

Instead of following the crowd or reacting to market highs and lows, I try to stay grounded:

• I look at individual companies, not just market momentum.

• I ask whether a stock is undervalued based on its actual business, not just recent price action.

• I focus on whether the company has long-term potential, not just short-term hype.

And most importantly, I stay cautious in bull markets, not because I’m pessimistic, but because I understand how quickly tides can turn. A sudden correction or a shift in sentiment could erase gains faster than they were made.

Conclusion: Profit Is Nice, But Peace of Mind Is Better

Sure, going all in back in April might have made me more money. But it also would’ve introduced a level of stress I don’t want in my life. The market will always have dips and rallies. What matters more to me is not chasing every high, but building a portfolio that lets me sleep well at night.

The Nasdaq and S&P may be flying, but I’m keeping my feet on the ground and I’m okay with that.