If you've been watching the stock market's 2023 rally so far and had a drop of regret, trust me when I say that you're not alone. Seeing major indexes up double-digit percentages and some growth stocks doubling in value can make any investor wish they'd had the foresight to invest more heavily during the bear market and at the start of the year.

Don't fret, though. It's not a missed opportunity -- just the cyclical nature of the stock market. There are bear markets, bull markets, booms, busts, corrections, and the whole nine yards. Since the stock market's been around, periods of decline are typically followed by periods of growth, and vice versa. Luckily, the growth tends to offset the decline.

There's an old proverb: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." This same thought process can be applied to investing and reinforces the importance of playing the long game. Investors are generally better off focusing on consistency and longevity rather than chasing trends, trying to buy low and sell high, or sell high and rebuy low. 

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Source Fool.com