Hard to hold when you have nothing else but the BTC you have and if there isn't anywhere you could get money for your everyday needs, you will be forced to sell at a low price instead. It happens to many people including me. The economy caught us off guard really so if its possible to get two jobs while you invest a little of your income to BTC will still be worth and this is where you really can hold confidently.
its really a sad thing when you need to settle things and all you could do is to sell off your long term holding not minding the price. one of the solutions is to have a high paying job or earn in multiple ways like you said so investing can be done confidently.