Every market drop brings a wave of anxiety. The natural urge to sell when shares fall and only return when they “feel safe” is an expensive mistake. Looking at the South African stock market since 1994, investors who cashed out after downturns and tried to buy back in often missed the early days of recoveries, days that delivered much of the next decade’s total returns. Meanwhile, those who stayed put saw volatility smooth out into growth.

Global research backs this up: the bulk of long-term returns come from a handful of positive days that are easy to miss if you’re on the sidelines. Missing just a handful of the best days over a 20-year period can vastly reduce total returns. Market timing is nearly impossible to get right, especially as local shocks, from sudden political changes to currency swings, arrive without warning. By contrast, staying invested and regularly adding to one’s portfolio, even in choppy waters, lets compounding do the heavy lifting.

For ordinary savers, just keep calm. Focus on the long game. Tune out the short-term noise, keep contributions steady, and trust that markets have always found a way to recover from setbacks. Wealth is built through patience and discipline rather than perfectly timed moves. Whether you’re just beginning your career or preparing for retirement, the real test is to stay invested and steady when others are tempted to panic.