The Chocolate Addiction We Don’t Talk About: Surviving the Final Days of a Job Sweetly

It does not matter as to whether or not you are a chocolate aficionado, or a sweet tooth seems to be genetically ingrained in you; or you can't stand chocolate, whether or not you are addicted to this popular cocoa indulgence that was once a form of currency (fun fact); the binge sessions (despite healthy magnesium levels) takes over at least a couple of days before ending a long tenure at a job, whether working for yourself on a freelance or contract arrangement, or for others.

Two days prior to an actual layoff from a 38-hour a week contract role in my own business at the start of 2026, despite receiving three weeks notice prior; yours truly (normally an odd dark chocolate lover) suddenly had an unexpected urge to binge on milk chocolate (thank goodness for Christmas themed chocolate being discounted, funny timing) where all you are left with is the silver foil, of what feels like all of its contents are gone after the blink of an eye. And just like that, a six year business venture came to an end.

What causes mysterious endless chocolate binges just before a job ends, especially a long serving one?

Whether or not you personally perceive the change as positive, as in a massive sigh of relief, an adventure or a new beginning; or on the flip side not so positive due to your high levels of passion for the relevant job, company and/or industry; chocolate is world renowned as a quick source of comfort. Comfort food and fast energy, fuelled (sorry for the pun) by stress and uncertainty with this loss, where grief will begin to surface immediately at the end date. Sweet treats like chocolate provide chemical boosts such as dopamine. Dopamine serves that all elusive life hack for the human brain to stay steady and calm when meaningful jobs, businesses and careers come to their use by date - whether via a redundancy, a business sale, or by choice to name. The nervous system is craving some calm to the human psyche, and chocolate (milk in particular) seems to provide that short-term hit.

Chocolate is definitely self soothing. Endings after a long tenure in an individuals career can manifest a mixed bag of feelings and emotions including pride, regret, sadness (that was the dominant emotion for me - as the layoff felt premature, while also recovering from a serious ankle injury), fear, joy, and even relief for some. Your identity is shifting, as well as being shaken up to the core, and naturally that would be scary, even for strong and resilient folks.

Chocolate cravings surface in major and pivotal career turning points and setbacks where the brain is crying out for a reward. Your brain is telling you that "you deserve this chocolate or other sweet and/or salty treat" for sticking with a job for so long, despite the ups and downs, whether you enjoyed that particular job or not. This reward mechanism is more amplified if you happen to be dealing with other major adversities simultaneously such as a divorce, as well as recovery from a serious illness and/or injury to name. Layoffs happen in this uncertain and unstable economy, regardless of whatever other issues, problems and adversities a particular individual is dealing with. This layoff happened to the entire project (in my individual case in early January 2026) due to money reasons on the client clients' end. That is no ones fault - just pure economics and balance sheets. Chocolate is hence perceived as a reward by the brain for effort, persistence, survival (especially in tough times, holding onto such a contract for a while), and finishing strong - not throwing in the towel until the projects end date.

When an individual finds themselves in unemployment (or luckily enough underemployment) just days after a strong chocolate craving hits (even stronger than a woman's monthly cycle) - habits do loosen up temporarily. A bit of complacency hits when a strict routine or regimen is about to end, even if you enjoyed fully remote work, with a fully flexible project, despite intense deadlines. When structure is thrown out the window, addictions and snacking intensifies. If it is not chocolate - cheese and nuts (more so the salty and roasted variety) are also known to become strong comfort foods during times like these; in other words, when cortisol temporarily strikes (aka. stress) with a long tenure ending either way.

If you are tired/exhausted, burnt out, and/or really busy (handovers or not) when a long-term role wraps up; the human body naturally wants a quick source of fuel and energy to keep on keeping on for a couple of days, hence the chocolate (and/or the cheese and the nuts in lieu of). Chocolate would still win the gold medal, while it is a fight (metaphorically speaking of course) for the silver medal between the nuts and the cheese, while the runner up in that circumstance gets awarded the bronze medal on the comfort food podium. Do not say I did not warn you (then chuckles for a little bit). Burnout could be underneath the surface.

The worst thing you can do is beat yourself up over this short-term and abrupt comfort food craving. Just see it as feedback and information. Maybe an invitation into a bit of further self enquiry and reflection, no matter how busy you are in winding up a long-term work opportunity. That way this craving stays as such, or it quickly becomes an addiction if you tie this binge on chocolate and/or other comfort foods as a f*ck up, questioning your self worth and control.

On that, what can you do to stop these comfort food cravings while working away, when you and you body knows that you only have a couple of days left of this particular role (especially when it was a role that you loved, and the ending was bittersweet and not on your own terms)...

Firstly, drink some more water. That will help you flush out the extra toxins from comfort food that is only great for us in moderation, or once in a blue moon. Just a few sips could break the pattern. If not...

This is easier said than done in such circumstances due to the temporary stress and adrenalin rush that is taking over your body, thanks to the brain wanting its reward, and it's hit of congratulations for your resilience in sticking it out...however it is imperative to eat regular hearty meals (high in protein and good fats like avocado) so that your body is full, and not running on stress alone.

Ask yourself: Am I tired? Stressed? Empty? Then trust your gut instincts to go from there. There is nothing wrong with you. This is all simply a natural response to a significant and disruptive change, like the grind, and everything all happening at once - just like Murphy's Law.

What is really happening underneath the surface, with a long-term job opportunity ending (whatever form it takes) is that your body 'finally' has permission to feel a mix of emotions (one, a couple, or perhaps all of these) such as feeling tired, disappointed, relieved, proud and scared simultaneously. Chocolate is perceived as the fastest, cheapest (despite inflation and chocolate shortages) and most socially accepted way to regulate this overload and overstimulation that naturally comes with long-term endings.

Unfinished business (even emotionally) shows up to the surface, combined with a loss of control, again irrespective as to whether that long-term job opportunity was enjoyable, or it sucked your mental health. Thoughts of all of these emotions brought up in this article (from sadness to relief) can fester into low energy/fatigue, and then short-term comfort eating, which can become incredibly addictive if not managed. All elements and parts of the human brain thrives on certainty and predictability. No clear endings and next chapters without a new and clear immediate path are sh!t scary. Chocolate (to the brain on the last days of a long-term work opportunity ending) is safe and predictable.

Clarity (on what type of work to engage in, and in which you end up doing next) comes after recovery. When leaving a work opportunity, or being let go when burnt out and/or recovering from illness and/or an injury with something meaningful ending; these exits usually create the vacuum for a much needed break, for the body and mind to heal again. Your body does not care about the economy and the job market, and neither does chocolate in this regard.

With sudden chocolate cravings, and upon long-term work ending; ask yourself what you are coming down from. You are naturally landing, where that particular job/career/business was a long-haul flight. There will be a bit of jet lag. No different to marathon runners needing their glycogen (that spare battery) quickly replaced after a massive race.

For yours truly, it has been nearly two months (as at the time of writing and publication of this article), and yes, chocolate is still a wonderful treat, and the cravings came and went within the last two days of a long-term business.

It is not the chocolate (although it was a nice indulgence, no harm done); however what your body is really yearning for after a long tenure is rest. Deep rest. Give your body permission to rest without deciding on your next move right away, unless you happen to be financially desperate. Know that recovery from burnout, illness and/or injury or other setback will take a lot longer if the luxury of living off your savings, passive income, freelance work opportunities (currently working two hours a week writing, and doing a bit of consulting work, again as at the time of writing, due to increase a bit more in the next few weeks), and/or unemployment benefits happen to be unavailable.

If you have the luxury of living off your savings for a short while; it is important to keep your days simple and structured to feel safe, without the comfort of too much chocolate or other sweet and salty treats in sheer indulgence. If you have thoughts about what is next for you on your last day of work - it is wise to write them down, yet do not give your brain the pressure of solving this puzzle immediately. Let it sit for a couple of days before applying for jobs. If you are tired after submitting one job application; your body is clearly wanting rest before chocolate.

With the come down from the last day of work and the milk chocolate binges (in my case); the ending needed a true end point of support, which cut off the long-term work finishing up, combined with the associated chocolate cravings simultaneously. Lunch with my boyfriend was the solution, reserving lunch at a nice restaurant to celebrate that longevity and success, despite the layoff. Later that day, I also purposefully booked in an appointment to see my physiotherapist for continued ankle fracture rehab. If you are cash flow challenged, the ending of a long-term work tenure can be marked with a relaxing walk along a park, trail or place you have intended to walk to; or yoga and/or a massage could work wonders - anything that is nourishing; just not anything to do with chocolate. (That chocolate factory tour or outing will have to wait a little while longer.) This is a pattern interrupt to your mind from chocolate (or other indulgent end of work food) to something that resembles self-care, and/or another reward for longevity in your career (rare these days, therefore it is a big deal).

This time I wish to conclude with a more modern song, currently in the charts (ARIA or otherwise) that is about leaving home, change, new beginnings, and growth; especially when that growth is bittersweet with the ending of a role that stuck with you for quite some time. "Just trust me, you'll be fine." End of Beginning by Djo: