What’s Your Take on Balancing Risk and Reward in Long-Term Investing?

I’ve been reflecting on how different investors approach risk, especially when it comes to long-term growth. Some swear by index funds for steady returns, while others dive into individual stocks or even alternative assets like crypto. How do you personally strike that balance between playing it safe and taking calculated risks? Are there any strategies or metrics you rely on to gauge whether an opportunity is worth the potential downside? Would love to hear how others navigate this especially in today’s unpredictable market.