Over the past decade, the S&P 500 has seen drops of more than 2% on only 90 out of 2,561 trading days—just 3.51% of the time. Yet, when we experience a sharp decline, it can feel like the world is shifting beneath our feet. That it’s different this time. The emotions are real, the headlines are loud, and the uncertainty can be overwhelming.

But history tells a different story.

Market Drops Are Nothing New

Historically, the S&P 500 has witnessed notable daily declines, with some of the most significant drops occurring during major financial events. Significant single-day declines have happened before:

• Black Monday (1987): The market crashed 20.47% in one day—but within two years, it had fully recovered. (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Financial Crisis (2008): Markets plunged, panic spread—but those who stayed the course saw massive gains in the following decade. (en.wikipedia.org)
• COVID-19 Selloff (March 2020): A 12% single-day drop shook investors—but by the end of 2020, markets had rebounded to new highs. (en.wikipedia.org)

Yes, these moments feel different when you’re in them. Yes, they trigger emotion. Yes, they can seem all-consuming.

But when we zoom out, the pattern is clear—markets recover, and those who stay invested benefit.

Averages vs. Emotions: The Long-Term View

On average, the S&P 500 experiences a daily drop of more than 1.75% about eight times per year. These declines grab attention, but they are a natural part of market cycles. What’s more important is the market’s long-term trajectory—one of growth, resilience, and recovery. (investopedia.com)

The question isn’t whether markets will drop again. They will. The real question is how you’ll respond. Will you let fear dictate your decisions? Or will you trust in history, your plan, and in the compounding power of patience?

Long-Term Market Resilience

It’s easy to think of investing as numbers on a screen. But for most, it’s about far more than that. It’s the ability to provide for family, the freedom to retire on your own terms, the opportunity to create a legacy. The stakes feel high because they are.

But the best investors are the ones who don’t react out of fear. They anchor to perspective over panic, discipline over distraction, and long-term goals over short-term noise.

So, the next time the market drops—which it will—and the emotions rise, take a deep breath and remind yourself: this isn’t new. This isn’t permanent. And this is why we plan.