If you’re reading this, you’re likely one of the 16.9 million employed South Africans returning to the office after a well-deserved festive season break – assuming you were fortunate enough to have had one. If so, you might relate to a meme that popped up in my Facebook feed yesterday.
The video clip, titled “Going back to work after being on vacation”, features a perplexed Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, looking around in confusion and declaring: “I have no memory of this place.”
While this might elicit a chuckle, you may be surprised to learn that this feeling of disorientation is a common phenomenon and has been studied in various forms under the concepts of “post-vacation blues” or “return-to-work adjustment”.
Research suggests several psychological and cognitive factors that explain why returning to work after a good holiday can feel overwhelming.
One explanation is something called cognitive shifting. When you’re on holiday, your brain slows down, focusing on relaxation instead of structured tasks. Returning to work requires a sudden mental shift back to deadlines and routines, which can feel jarring. A 2018 PLoS ONE study found that breaks temporarily impact performance as your brain readjusts, leaving you feeling a little “lost”.
Holidays also disrupt work routines, like checking emails and attending meetings. After a long break, these habits take time to re-engage, so even familiar tasks can feel oddly overwhelming.
On top of that, post-vacation stress from backlogs and deadlines can amplify the sense of being unprepared. Research shows this transition often spikes stress levels, making it harder to settle in.
Lastly, your brain might still be in “vacation mode”. Psychologists call this recovery lag, where your decision-making and problem-solving skills need a warm-up before they’re back in full swing.
So, if 2024’s hot topics feel like a blur, don’t stress – Moonstone has you covered.
In a video interview, Moonstone Compliance COO Billy Seyffert unpacks the key regulatory and compliance updates from 2024 and what’s ahead in 2025.
First up, is the two-pot retirement system, the most significant legislative change of 2024. He offers an in-depth look at the introduction of the new regime and explores the game-changing implications of the system for financial advisers.
Read: FSCA wants to know how much two-pot withdrawals are costing members
Another major focus is the FSCA and Prudential Authority’s review of funeral insurance regulations, tackling concerns like the impact of redefining “group” in the Insurance Act. Workshops kick off early this year.
Read: FSCA and PA to revamp funeral insurance regulations – call for stakeholder input
On the compliance front, the FSCA cracked down on FICA violations in 2024, highlighting the importance of RMCPs. Billy discusses practical challenges, like conducting sanctions screenings in remote areas.
Read:FSCA slaps R2.2 million in fines on FSPs for FICA violations
Cybersecurity remains critical, with the Allianz Commercial Cyber Security Resilience report showing that the costs associated with certain data privacy breach claims can match or surpass those of ransomware incidents.
Read: The rise of ‘non-attack’ data claims in a changing cyber landscape
Billy breaks down Joint Standard 1 on IT Governance and Risk Management, already in effect, and Joint Standard 2 on Cybersecurity, coming in 2025. These regulations aim to boost resilience and offer clear benefits for financial institutions.
Catch the full interview for a comprehensive update.
The Moonstone Monitor will be back in action from Thursday, bringing you the latest and most relevant industry information in the financial services sector.
In the meantime, here are the comparative Investment and Money Market Rates to get the wheels turning.
And as you too gear up for the year ahead, here is another one of Gandalf’s famous quotes to contemplate: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
Here’s to making the most of 2025 – welcome back, and best wishes for the year ahead!
