Ep. 7: All Gas, No Breaks
There’s a weird rule that shows up every December: If you’re still working, something must be wrong with you.
You’re burned out.
You hate your family.
You’re avoiding your life.
You’re a “workaholic” who needs to relax.
And honestly? That take is lazy.
In this episode of Hoe to CEO, we’re talking directly to the people who keep building while everyone else is unplugging… and feel judged for it.
Loving Your Work Isn’t a Red Flag
Let’s get this straight: Wanting to work ≠ being miserable.
Some of us aren’t clocking in because we have to. We’re working because:
We’re building something that matters
We’re in momentum and don’t want to lose it
We actually like what we’re doing
A two-week pause gives us anxiety, not peace
That doesn’t mean we’re broken. It means we’re engaged.
There’s this idea that if you don’t want to “fuck off” during the holidays, you must be suppressing something dark and unresolved. Or that loving work automatically equals trauma.
Sometimes it’s simpler than that: You just like your job.
The Work-From-Home Judgment Is Real
Working through the holidays gets extra judgment points if you work from home.
Apparently being physically present = “available.”
Apparently working on a laptop = “not real work.”
If you’re home, people assume:
You have time
You can pause
You can join everything
You’re basically doing nothing anyway
Wrong.
Working from home is still working. And being home doesn’t mean you owe anyone your time.
When Is It Actually a Problem?
Let’s be clear… not all work is healthy.
There is a difference between:
Loving what you’re building
And using work to permanently avoid your life
If you’re dissociating nonstop, ignoring serious issues forever, or forcing yourself to work in a job you hate… that’s a problem.
But:
Working through the holidays once a year
Choosing productivity over forced downtime
Using work as a stabilizing outlet during a stressful season
That’s not toxic. That’s coping… and sometimes, coping productively.
There’s also never a “perfect time” to address everything. The holidays don’t magically create clarity; they often create more pressure, more family dynamics, and more noise.
The Real Issue: Projection
A lot of the judgment doesn’t come from concern… it comes from projection.
People who:
Count down the days until they can stop working
Hate their jobs
Feel trapped by their routines
Often don’t understand people who want to keep going.
And instead of saying “I don’t relate,” they say:
“You’re going to burn out.”
“Why do you work so much?”
“Is it even worth it?”
That’s not support. That’s discomfort with someone else’s ambition.
This Episode Is Your Permission Slip
If you’re:
Grinding on a big project in December
Building a brand, app, business, or career
Choosing momentum over mandatory rest
Getting side-eyed by family or friends
This episode is for you.
Take Christmas Day off or don’t.
Work at 2 a.m. if inspiration hits.
Rest when you want to rest.
Just don’t let anyone shame you for wanting more.
Merry Workmas.
