Yes, HODL does work.

When talking about my strategy of HODL, for me, I don't judge it on a regular and short term basis, I just have to set a good target and wait until that target will be achieve. For me, HODL means I'll be able to hold for a long term if the right timing has not come yet.

For example, I bought at peak in 2017, that means I am still holding until now, and I will never get panic despite of what would happen to the market.