Have you ever been in this situation? You check how your stocks and shares are performing, or the likely market price you could get for that rental you bought a couple of years ago, and feel nothing but frustration? 

It’s quite the common occurrence for investors. Your portfolio feels messy, it’s never really performed well, and you’re starting to think investing was a bad idea in the first place.

Long story short, you’ve ended up with an investment portfolio that you hate. 

Now that you know that, what can you do about it? You don’t want to start from scratch, especially if you’ve either made a few gains or you don’t really have any savings left. And that’s a big ask to make of anyone who’s sunk money into trading platforms, whether they own crypto or traditional shares. 

But something needs to change here. Investing is a good way to make money off of the money you’ve already made. It’s a risk, of course, but it shouldn’t only ever present you with risk – you should be seeing some kind of potential in your portfolio. 

And if this is the kind of situation you find yourself in, here’s what you should think about doing.

Don’t Suddenly Invest in a Million Other Things

When investments are tanking, you’re unhappy with your portfolio, and you’re keen to see a few more green numbers on the screen, you might be tempted to buy up a load of other stocks or crypto. 

But this is the worst thing you could possibly do. Sudden and rapid investment is pure panic, and no one makes good decisions when they’re panicking. You need to do the opposite here, and try to slow down and stay calm. You’ll think about your options in a much more rational manner. 

At the very least, you won’t fork out more money than you can truly afford, in an attempt to rebalance your portfolio and get rid of the headache it’s causing you.

Do a Bit of Research into What You Own

Take a look through the investments you own. Which ones have performed relatively well since you first purchased them? And we don’t mean they can never have had a dip, as every type of investment does. But well performing investments tend to come back steadily each and every time. 

This kind of research will make it much easier to lighten the burden on your portfolio. And make sure you consider both the type of investment and the history of its volatility. This will help you make a more informed choice about what to lose and what to keep. 

For example, gold is always going to have great value, even if the prices dip to an ‘all time low’. It’s gold, a precious metal, and people have found it valuable for centuries. 

Sell Off the Worst Performers

Now you know which investments aren’t doing you any favors whatsoever, you can think about selling off the worst performers. This will prevent them from dragging down your portfolio’s value any further, and will also make sure you don’t lose any more money. 

If that’s the main concern you have around your portfolio right now, it’s important to carefully cut off any dead weight, and not just sell and sell and sell. Identify what isn’t working for you, and only consider the truly worst performers in your decision. 

Once you’re sure, sell it off, collect what you can, and then think more carefully about your next acquisition. 

Own Property? Make a Swap

If you’ve invested in real estate, there’s a chance you could try a 1031 exchange and essentially ‘swap’ your property for another one. 

If you’ve never heard of a 1031 exchange before, check out all the latest 1031 exchange news to find out what you’re dealing with. But in short, this is a legal, low-tax way to shift a property that isn’t right for your portfolio. 

You’ll need to find another property of similar or the same value, as well as an owner who’s willing to complete the exchange, and these factors do make the idea a little more challenging. 

But it still remains an option to consider. After all, someone with more investing experience and knowhow could have the perfect way to make the best return off of your property. And exchanging it could present you with the best deal out of the bargain as well. 

Give it Time

Investing is a long term game. It’s something that’s going to both make and lose you money over time, and there’s never been such a thing as a quick and profitable gain. You need to lay the groundwork and then build up slowly. 

So if you hate your portfolio right now, close the app you’re using to keep an eye on it. Put that app into a folder that’s deeper into your phone’s home screen, and then try to forget about it. 

When you’re not checking in on your portfolio multiple times a day, you might find that the ups and downs play on your mind a lot less than they used to. And when you finally check again, you might just find that your investments are fine. 

When You Hate Your Investment Portfolio, Be Patient

This is really the best thing to do. If you find yourself hating your investment portfolio, be patient and see what happens next. 

You could find yourself pleasantly surprised by the way your investments begin to regain their value. Or alternatively, you’ll understand your feelings around your portfolio better, and be secure in the knowledge that you need to divest and be done with it. 

Either way, you’re not making rash decisions, and you’re not wasting more money than is truly essential. 

Keep this in mind if you find yourself less than satisfied with your long term investment plan. Take stock of the situation, know what’s performing well – and what’s least likely to – and then sell, exchange, and have a bit of patience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first if I hate my investment portfolio?

Start by pausing any new buys and review what you already own. List each holding, note your cost basis, current value, and volatility, then mark the true laggards for possible sale.

How do I identify my worst-performing investments?

Compare each position’s total return since purchase against a simple benchmark, like a broad market index fund. Look for repeated drawdowns that do not recover over time, weak fundamentals, or assets that no longer fit your goals or risk tolerance.

Should I diversify more when my portfolio is down?

Not right away. Adding random assets while stressed can compound mistakes; instead, clean up existing positions first, then diversify with a plan using low-cost index funds or targeted ETFs that match your risk profile.

Is selling losers always the right move?

No. Some temporary losers are core holdings with strong long-term trends. Sell only when the thesis is broken, the asset drags on performance without recovery, or better opportunities fit your plan and risk budget.

How can I reduce panic and make calmer investing choices?

Limit how often you check prices and remove trading apps from your home screen. Set a review schedule, like once a month or quarter, and use a simple checklist to guide decisions instead of emotions.

What does “do research into what you own” actually mean?

Read recent earnings, fund fact sheets, fees, and risk metrics; check historical drawdowns and recovery times. Confirm why you bought, what would make you sell, and whether the asset still fits your time horizon and goals.

Is gold or real estate always a safe bet during volatility?

No asset is “always safe,” but gold and property can act as diversifiers with different cycles. Evaluate liquidity, taxes, costs, and your need for cash before treating them as defensive plays.

What is a 1031 exchange, and when might it help a rental property investor?

A 1031 exchange lets U.S. real estate investors defer capital gains taxes by swapping one investment property for another of like kind. It can help you exit a poor fit and move into a property that better aligns with cash flow or market potential, but strict timelines and rules apply.

What is a common myth about fixing a bad portfolio?

Myth: you can “buy your way out” by adding many new stocks fast. In reality, rushed diversification often adds noise and fees; disciplined pruning, clear criteria, and patient re-entry work better.

What is the most actionable step I can take this week to improve my portfolio?

Create a one-page plan: target allocation, max position size, sell rules, and a review cadence. Then sell one confirmed laggard, direct proceeds to cash or a core index fund, and schedule your next review date.