How to be a long term investor?

Those with a long term portfolio giving positive returns to date are probably reacting to the market differently to those without a long term portfolio. These should be distinguished from those also having a long term portfolio with negative returns to date.

Unlike the former, the latter holds many stocks with "paper" losses. Holding onto these stocks, especially those with poor fundamentals, and with no potential for "recovery" for many years, probably make little or no sense at all.

On the other hand, those lucky investors in the former group have portfolios holding gainers. The gains are probably significant due to the effect of compounding. Moreover, this is a buffer that these investors enjoy, giving them the ability and the courage to ride the volatilities in the market.