In 2007-2008 the market was hit by the global financial crisis. I remember buying my first stock during that period, the STI ETF. As the index fell from around 3800 to 2700 I bought my first STI etf at $2.70 as I thought it was a good deal after the 30% correction and that a basket of blue chip was a safe place to put my money.
Well as the bear came in full force the STI when even lower till it hit rock bottom at around 1600 and I was looking at a paper loss of close to 40%. I couldn't sleep well for many night as I was so new to investing and it felt like I had made a terrible mistake.
I held on, waited and waited till the recovery came, after what it seemed like a long wait the STI climbed back to around 2300 ......