Burnout: The Office Christmas Party Hookup You Regret

Remember that one bad decision at the office Christmas party? The drinks were flowing, Eddie from Accounting was looking weirdly good, and next thing you know—you’ve made a choice that you now deeply regret.

Before you know it, you’re gnawing your arm off the next morning just to escape the situation.

That’s burnout.

It sneaks up in the same way—seemingly harmless at first, until suddenly, you’re stuck in a commitment you can’t back out of, questioning every life choice that led you here.

When Passion Becomes Your Own Worst Enemy

Burnout doesn’t just hit people who hate their jobs. In fact, it’s more likely to sneak up on the most passionate, driven, and hardworking people out there—the ones who genuinely love what they do… until they don’t.

It’s impossible to avoid burnout altogether—but spotting it before it runs you into the ground? Sometimes by the time you realize what’s happening, you’re already knee-deep in exhaustion, frustration, and questionable life choices.

If burnout were a person, it’d be Eddie from Accounting, still DMing you long after the party ended. Relentless, inconvenient, and somehow convinced you’re still interested.

And yet sometimes, you do need to walk away.

But more often than not, you just need a reset.

How I Knew I Hit Burnout (Hint: I Now Make Phone Calls in Aisle 6)

I’m not saying I avoid people entirely.

I’m just saying I’ve perfected the art of vanishing like a stage magician the second I hear, "Hey, didn’t you used to own—"

Because here’s the thing—when burnout hits, you start changing your behavior in ways you don’t even recognize at first.

✔️ I go out of my way to avoid running into people.
✔️ I pretend to be on the phone with my mom in the grocery store to escape conversation.
✔️ I once DoorDashed dog food and a coffee for $40 just so I wouldn’t have to go inside a store.

And before you judge me, burnout doesn’t just make you physically exhausted—it makes you mentally allergic to human interaction.

It’s nothing against people. I love people. I’ve built businesses around people and customer experience. But when you’ve been running at full speed for too long, your brain hits its capacity, and suddenly, small talk feels like someone handing you a calculus exam.

The Small Town Burnout Phenomenon

My husband and daughter relentlessly give me a hard time when I flat-out refuse to eat at a restaurant with a small seating area.

Why?

Because in a small town, "dining out" really means dining with your high school physics teacher who STILL won’t let up about the time you knocked over that entire display of test tubes.

Or your ex from college, who somehow always gets seated right across from you.

Or Susan from the PTA, who is definitely going to ask if you’re "bringing something homemade to the next event" even though you’re actively trying to phase yourself out of responsibilities.

So now, my husband and daughter have turned every outside dining experience it into a full-blown SNL skit.

The second we walk into a restaurant, they both start mimicking me as a Hollywood starlet, dramatically pulling on a scarf and oversized sunglasses, muttering,

"Yes, yes, it’s me, it’s me" like I’m dodging the paparazzi.

But hey, the best thing about small-town connections is also the worst thing sometimes. Ammiright?

And let’s be real, I’m sure there are a few people in the room avoiding me too.

The Modern Problem: Work Without Boundaries

Burnout isn’t just about working too much—it’s about never actually being off.

We live in an instant access world, where emails, messages, and to-do lists are just one notification away at all times. We’re expected to be available, engaged, and responsive 24/7.

Need proof? Research shows:

✔️ If a business doesn’t respond to a message in 30 minutes, it’s considered rude.
✔️ Leaving a DM unread for too long? Grounds for social exile.
✔️ The average person is interrupted 96 times a day by their smartphone.
✔️ Ever taken over an hour to pick a movie on a streaming platform because nothing feels “worth it”?

That’s digital burnout creeping in.

Pair that up with an American work culture that glorifies "more hours, less rest", and—yikes.

You might as well light the match.

So, How Do You Actually Prevent Burnout?

Because let’s be real—you can’t just stop working, delete all social media, and live off the grid (unless, of course, that’s the dream).

What you can do is build better habits that help you recognize burnout before it wipes you out completely.

🚨 Burnout Prevention Checklist 🚨

✔️ Set actual boundaries—No, you don’t need to answer that email at 10 PM.
✔️ Unfollow accounts that drain you—If it doesn’t inspire or benefit you, let it go.
✔️ Schedule guilt-free breaks—Yes, you deserve to sit down for five minutes.
✔️ Reevaluate priorities—Not everything is urgent, even when it feels like it is.
✔️ Create a shutdown routine—Mentally separate work from personal life, even if you work from home.
✔️ Communicate your limits—It’s okay to tell people, “Hey, I’ve been focusing on my mental health, so I might not be as tuned in lately.”

Burnout doesn’t mean you’re lazy, unmotivated, or bad at what you do. It means you’ve been running too hard, too long, without a break.

And taking care of yourself? That’s not a failure.

Final Thoughts: Knowing When to Log Off

If the second you tell people you’re taking a break from social media, they say, “Oh, good for you!”

That’s how you know it’s become just as toxic for everyone else. The only difference is YOU can have the coconuts to do something about it.

Think of yourself as a trendsetter.

Now, I’m not here to tell you to quit social media entirely—I own businesses, and let’s be honest, social media keeps most businesses alive. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, step back, limit the noise, and set real boundaries.

And hey, maybe then you won’t find yourself calling your mom in Aisle 6.

How Far Have YOU Gone to Avoid Small Talk?

Be honest—what’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve done to avoid a conversation you just didn’t have the energy for? Drop it in the comments!

This entry features excerpts from the upcoming Unfinished Business: The Art of Reinvention digital and print series.

If you loved this, follow and stay tuned for even more business insights, hard-earned lessons, and comedy throughout the chaos.