When I did my end of tax year accounts, I found the 2020/21 growth in value to be quite remarkable.
I hope you have a pension scheme?
For the risk-averse investor, with no special knowledge, experience or effort, a low-cost tracker is the route to take. If you are in UK, at least half in a UK fund, and I think that would be a suitable first step. If you want to you can choose a small, or a medium, or a large-sized company index. My preference is for large caps so a FTSE 100 fund would suit me. If I was starting out, I would start with that.
Bear in mind that a tracker is low-cost and simple. It does not employ high-paid managers or salesmen (who are paid with a slice out of your money) making risky calls which may or may not turn out well. In the long run, no active fund manager will consistently beat the market. Not even Neil Woodford. Call it a plodder if you want.
In early 2016 I moved more into Europe, which has served me well. Your fundamental beliefs may be different.
A tracker will automatically move out of declining industries and into growing ones.
If you want to spread your net, you could, later, add an International, a US, a Far East and/or an Emerging Market fund. Notionally, they might not all go up and down at the same time, so that would reduce your risk of a big crash, but also of a big gain. Risks go two ways. Adding some of these might give you a bit more excitement, if that appeals. The largest UK companies generally operate internationally anyway so will be giving you some foreign exposure. Foreign investment also brings the possibility to gain, or lose, by currency fluctuations.
Vanguard group offers a wide range of low-cost trackers.
Choose funds that can be bought inside a low-cost ISA. I use ii. It charges £10 a month and does not charge a percentage of your account. There are several others.
Nobody should be giving you personal investment advice on the net. Just opinions and information.
I'd avoid anyone who says "XXXXXX is the next big thing! You'll make a fortune!"
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