22y/o, nitec grad, 9-12mnth saved, started a FT job 1 mnth ago, gross 2.8, other incomes +300-500, expenses $600, no bad habits, lost 29k+ since 17y/o & scared to invest alr, how to overcome tis fear?

Perhaps you might want to relook in the reason of your losses to evaluate? Was it too high risk?

you can start having some small wins by looking into safer and lower returns instuments. don't give up! :)

Everyone has been there. Instead of looking at that experience as a losing proposition, you will be better served to look at its learning opportunity. Remember, shit happens.

Honestly, from your write-up, you sound diligent, hardworking, and cautious. Good job on coming back from your loss.

Focus on adopting a strategy you can adopt. If you have lost $30k due to concentration on your portfolio, ask why did you invest in it in the first place? Largely, most people lose more than they envisioned due to a combination of greed and loss aversion. Greed is the motivation for jumping in, loss aversion is the motivation for prolonging losses way longer than needed.

In the long run, I would often suggest most to simply adopt a DCA strategy - you can use Syfe's 100 equity portfolio for exposure. In the longer term - which is a good 15 years away, you will do well. If you prefer a lower risk portfolio, you can head to their balanced portfolio.

Educate yourself on understanding the depth of investment classes, if you like the S&P500 index, it will be good to understand why the system has worked for such a long time, and why it is likely to continue to work. I did a video on that here.

Over time, choose an investment strategy that will work in your favor in regards to your risk appetite. The main reason why you have fear is likely due to the mismatch in expectations and results. Manage them, do a good budget, and you will be right on track.

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