My old manager told me to 'never eat lunch at your desk'. I ignored him for 2 years and paid for it

Uma Lopez · 2026-08-26T14:57:26.894145+00:00

Back in 2021 I worked at a small marketing firm in Austin. My manager, Rick, was this 30 year veteran who kept saying if you eat lunch at your desk, you'll never disconnect and you'll burn out. I thought it was old school advice, I was young and wanted to show I was grinding. So I ate at my desk almost every day for 2 years. Scarfing down sandwiches while answering emails. By late 2023 I was wiped out, hated the job, and had zero friends at work because I never went to the break room. I quit in March. Now at my new job I take a full 45 minute walk outside every day, no phone. I feel like a different person. My question is, how many of you actually take a real lunch break, and does it help or is this just one of those boomer things that works for some people?

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My old manager told me to 'never eat lunch at your desk'. I ignored him for 2 years and paid for it | Career Advice - HW Forums