S1 E10 How To Survive Food & Retail’s Christmas Chaos Without Burning Out

Amy kicks things off by acknowledging just how relentless the next six weeks will be for anyone working in food and retail, with tighter deadlines, louder demands, and the expectation to spin a hundred plates without dropping a single mince pie.  Drawing from her own post-Christmas experience with burnout, she emphasises why it’s crucial to protect your energy proactively, and why pushing through at all costs simply isn’t sustainable—or admirable. She shares four core resilience tools: knowing your non-negotiables, practising constructive capacity language (so you can push back effectively), setting healthy boundaries, and letting go of perfectionism.  She also gives real-life examples and gentle nudges for implementing these, from time-blocking your calendar for actual breaks (even if it’s just to eat lunch device-free), to using simple phrases that help you communicate workload limits without guilt. The episode also reflects on the season's big themes—especially the importance of questioning "the rules," breaking the cycle of self-blame, and creating safe, supportive environments at work. Amy calls out that most pressures aren’t in your head, and challenges listeners to reframe rest as a strategic act, not a selfish one. As the show closes, Amy leaves listeners with heartfelt encouragement, an invitation to connect on LinkedIn, and details about joining Fearless Women Connect—a safe space for women in food and retail.  The overarching message: You’re not the problem; the pressure is real—and you’re doing brilliantly.  Timestamps 00:42 – The “Chaotic” Season Begins 01:31 – Burnout & Personal Lessons 02:22 – Realities of Christmas in Food/Retail 03:17 – Rethinking Resilience 05:04 – Boundaries & Permission 06:55 – Four Practical Tips  09:45 – Capacity Language  10:43 – Setting Boundaries Gently 11:30 – Letting Go of Perfection 12:23 – Recap of The Four Tips 13:34 – Season Reflections & Lessons Learned 15:03 – Asking for Help & Final Pep Talk 16:24 – Series Wrap & Next Steps 17:39 – Festive Wisdom & Farewell 18:37 – Outro Links and Resources: Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation. Microsearch Laboratories sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/