If holding Bitcoin were easy, everyone would do it. But it's not. In fact, holding Bitcoin through the storm of volitality, doubt, and temptation might be one of the hardest things you'll ever attempt in your financial life.
We often look back and envy the early adopters. Those who bought BTC at $10, $50, or $100. It's tempting to call them "lucky", but that oversimplifies what actually happened. Imagine buying Bitcoin in 2012, watching it shoot up to $250, then crashing hard. No roadmaps, no influencers, no YouTube analysts, no reassuring Reddit threads. Just silence, and panic.
Today, there are thousands of Bitcoin videos, educational resources, and communities to help you ride the waves. Back then it was pure conviction and instinct.
Even more recently, think about those who bought Bitcoin in 2017 when it peaked near $19,000 only to see it plunge to $3,000 within a year. Then, years later, another rally to $69K... followed by yet another steep drop. Rinse and repeat.
Holding through that kind of turbulence is emotionally draining. When your net worth swings by tens of thousands, or even millions, it tests more than your investing discipline. It tests your character.
Take Max Keiser, for example. If he holds tens of thousands of BTC, each 30-50% drop in the market could mean losing hundreds of millions on paper. Some early whales saw their stacks drop in fiat terms by billions during bear markets. That's the reality of hodling: facing the psychological war of "what you could have bought."
A Luxury car. A home. A world trip. All sacrificed in the name of conviction
This is why terms like HODL exist. It wasn't just a typo-turned-meme. It became a rallying cry for those enduring the stormy winter. "Hold On for Dear Life" -because that's what it feels like when your hard earned money is down 30% in a few months, and the world is screaming at you to sell.
Most people aren't mentally prepared for this kind of volatility. Buying at the top, and panic selling at the bottom, is far more common than you think.
Those who endure are the ones who benefit most.
A simple example: if you bought 0.1 BTC at $9,500 and later it hits $150,000, that sliver of a coin is now worth $15,000. Do you cash out for a new phone? Sunglasses? A vacation? You could. But what if that 0.1 BTC someday represents generational wealth?
Of course at some point, Bitcoin must be spent or exchanged, after all, money is only useful when it's used to buy goods and services. But choosing when to sell is the true art of holidng.
There's even a fun tool online Bitcoin Pizza Index that compares historic Bitcoin prices to everyday purchases, like an iPhone 6, AirPods, or even a Tony Robbins seminar. Turns out, a $200 purchase in 2014 could be worth tens of thousands today if you'd stacked sats instead.
The point isn't to make you feel regretful, it's to illustrate the opportunity cost and the power of long term thinking.
So no, holding bitcoin isn't easy. It requires patience, mental strenth, and the ability to zoom out while the world screams in your face. But for those who can weather the storm, the reward might just be life changing
Stack sats. Hold tight. And stay humble