Things I Learned from Investing and Trading So Far

A discussion about things the author has learned from investing and trading, one which includes personal growth.

Life isn't easy. For the past decade or more, things have changed from our way of living to rising costs. There isn't a blueprint in surviving, except staying healthy, yet here doing all we can. Perhaps it's time we start doing this if some of us haven't already: investing and trading.

Sowing the Seeds of Investing

Investing wasn't on my mind until late 2013. I defintely was aware of the crashes that occurred in 2000 and 2008, and because trading was something that my late father wanted to do, a reason has come up taking it from here. Even though I'd be speculating and not taking action, let alone balancing jobs I held back then, all this didn't happen until recently as 2021. Looking back, I realized how much time was wasted; never did any research; and went all in thinking that the bank had me covered via their "easy to use" app. I did lose some money, albeit a small amount, but it's fair to say that this was all just for show; it was something I didn't know what to do, and withdrew all I had to put this hobby aside.

Come June 2025, all this speculation was done and through: I went ahead, created an account, made a small deposit, and began investing in both crypto and stocks. What felt cool was seeing my money being on a, what I call, "conveyor belt." Saying that, I would always check my smartphone and see any changes taking place; after all, it's a legitimate reason to check your phone. As action continually updates even when markets close, it feels great looking forward to something—markets opening on weekdays. Made me wish I had done it sooner, but here we are. Now, yes, there were moments when stocks dip and some days where it climbs. Regardless, I've been learning as I go and have made some moves.I wouldn't want to sound like it's a game, though it comes off as such, but having control over your trades makes me feel powerful.

"Doesn't matter, Kris. You're basically gambling."

I'm no stranger to gambling—casino gambling. Part of my childhood was spent growing up in the beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada, gotten gradually cozy with casinos; knowing about the casino games; the risks involved along with the betting action and limits; plus, stories of cheaters trying to gain advantage in winning easily. Learning all these as a teenager was great, seeing they became life lessons. I understand not many have that luxury and curiosity, thus ending up making bad decisions when setting afoot in a casino. Anyway, while it feels like gambling, investing and trading poses less of a risk; you have control in equities to invest; doing research being the basis of who and which ones to invest in; and you have full control of your money, buying and selling when you feel is best (this assumes you don't work with a broker). With gambling, you have to risk at least the minimum to profit, let alone break even. You know very well that the casino themselves, the House, has an edge; even if you're feeling lucky, or want to "let it ride," not every bet wins. For investing and trading, even if an equity has a bad day, or bad week, you can relax in knowing there will come a time when things will rebound again. This is different from day traders, who look to cash in on every move occurring during market hours. For myself, I'm a long-term trader—swing trader—and judge things by day or by week. Yes, it feels like gambling, but it's within your reach; you are in control of where your money you'd like for it to be. For casino gambling, if you lose, you have to shell out another wad of cash to regain what you lost which, at that point, becomes incredibly desperate; that's where players get reckless, proving why people lose their savings. Granted, there were moments, some of them shown on video, where traders have lost all their investments. The saying "Don't put all your eggs in one basket," couldn't be more true. Having said that, you know better and can tread lightly with any decision(s) you make with your money, ensuring you don't make the same mistake.

Investing and Trading Made Me a Better Person

Hobbies can help you grow as a person. Having been in this trading space for three months, I've become better in managing my emotions when market plunges; in other words, it has strengthened my patience. Like Life itself, there will be days when things go up, and times when it goes down. The goal is to acknowledge these, being at ease with your mind knowing that no matter what, things will get better. That's another thing: Remaining optimistic. I learned that investing and trading are not for those with a negative outlook in things. After all, "no risk, no gain," right? I had the unfortunate experience growing up with, and being friends with, those with a very bleak outlook on Life; they also see the bad in things and other people. It's depressing, nearly giving me second-hand stress most of my adult life. Being that I was always someone who sees the glass half full, I found that investing and trading secured this mindset of mine.

Investing and trading gave me a reason in listening to billionaires and CEOs loathed by the public. Often times, such billionaires use their money to gain power, what ever that may be, giving an unfair advantage among us citizens. Upon investing and trading, I'd take time learning about their stories, how they found success and more, through interviews on videos, podcasts, and books. Doing so, led me into thinking that I find it great knowing about someone no matter how much they're disliked. On occasion, I would do this with classmates back in school: If they're the subject of mockery and slander, I'd take a moment, see what's going on, and know if they're okay. This led to getting some belittlement myself for doing so, but I don't regret it; because when someone needs help, it's best to reach out. This feeling began to develop having better known the life stories of the rich, famous investors and traders, CEOs, small business owners along with fellow investors online. Not that I ever was close-minded, but investing and trading opened myself up learning from people in hearing their stories; pair that with seeing the good, and it was a recipe for growth. It is where my confidence in listening, learning the good in others became the best thing I got from investing and trading. (Don't get me wrong; there are people who are downright awful and contribute nothing in this world. With those who have found success, are intelligent, and have grown better as a person, are ones I gravitate to. Such people have so much knowledge and wisdom they want to share, and I've always been for it. I don't care if they're heavily disliked, but regardless of what they've done, it doesn't stop me from seeing the good in them.)

I get it that not everyone sees this the same way as me. They think some people are cruel, using their riches as a means to pursue their agenda. Fine, but that still wouldn't stop me from getting the good I got from them. Given how polarizing and angry people have become nowadays, in spite of this "cancel culture" still emanating, I'm pursuing the best approach when it comes to interaction as getting angry is normal now.

Skills in Investing and Trading Improve Overtime

It's nice when something you enjoy doing improves overtime. Having enough patience and learning, such hobby, or money-making scheme, which ever you're planning to get out of trading, becomes second nature. Speaking from experience, words that I never thought I'd learn have come through; words like "equities" or "year over year," are examples, along with the software tools used to do the trading. As with any other hobby or job, you get used to it; you get better at it; then you show what you're capable of doing under every circumstance coming your way. I couldn't have ventured in a better hobby, in addition to making my father proud (this, included with reading and writing).

Nowadays, the world is looking uncertain. There's plenty of power shifts, and the need to gain much of it due to such rapid changes underway. Regardless of such situations, rest assured that the market will be around forever. Some people have mentioned about a possible recession, crash(es), and some other bleak scenario, but know that because investing has kept you resilient, even when times are/get tough, you're able to see the bigger picture. As for trading itself, you'll know when to sell.

Investing and trading not only welcomed me into a niche world, but has shown that there is room for personal growth. It's not for everyone, and a select few people can do it, given the patience needed, but it's something I would recommend; especially for those wanting to learn about markets themselves, its ties to the real world, and managing your money overall. In other words, besides trading, you'll get a lot more than just buying and selling shares to increase your wealth. If possible, you'll encounter some personal things I've experienced along the way in path to become a better person.

Do you invest/trade? What have you learned along the way? Has it made you better with managing money? Has it improved your well-being? What do you like/enjoy about investing and trading? Let's talk about it in the comments below!