It certainly has been a rough ride for ASX shares in recent weeks.

From global tech weakness to renewed trade tensions and ongoing macro uncertainty, investors have had no shortage of reasons to stay on the sidelines.

But for long-term thinkers, this kind of market backdrop isn't a reason to panic — it is a reason to prepare.

Because if history has taught us anything, it is that periods of market fear often create the best opportunities for future gains from ASX shares.

So, with the ASX 200 index opening the week deep in the red with another market selloff, is now the time to take action?

Volatility brings opportunity with ASX shares

The recent market selloff has knocked down a wide range of ASX shares — some for good reason, many without much justification. When entire sectors drop in unison, it is usually a sign that investors are trading on headlines rather than fundamentals.

This is where the opportunity lies. Quality companies don't become less valuable overnight just because the market has a nervous twitch. They are still the same quality businesses, just trading at a fraction of the price that investors were willing to pay a matter of a few weeks ago.

Great companies, lower prices

Take tech and growth stocks, for example. Names like WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT), and Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) have seen their share prices slide sharply in recent months — but these are still businesses with strong competitive positions and global expansion plans.

Even blue-chip names like Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) and ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) are trading well below their highs despite ongoing demand tailwinds and robust balance sheets.

Rather than trying to time the exact bottom, investors should be thinking about whether the prices today reflect the future value these companies are capable of creating.

Time in the market

When share prices fall during a market selloff, it is very easy to feel like doing nothing until the dust finally settles. But the reality is that trying to perfectly time your entry rarely works. Instead, it is often those who keep adding to their portfolios during periods of uncertainty who come out ahead.

Investing now doesn't mean you'll pick the exact bottom. But if you're buying strong companies at lower prices, with a long-term horizon in mind, the odds are stacked in your favour.

Foolish takeaway

Corrections are uncomfortable — but they are also inevitable.

For smart investors, corrections are not just something to endure — they're something to use. With prices down and sentiment shaky, the next few months could be an ideal time to lean into the weakness and pick up quality ASX shares at a discount.