I think everyone needs to calm down with the honing advice, it is a 3rd shave after a 12 hour night shift, i would put more money on that being the issue. Small minor nicks in your strop won't kill your edge, they probably won't do it a lot of good but let's not jump to conclusions.
You have said that your shaves are better again, so technique is most likely the issue.
I have been using the same hanging strop for a year and despite having a few nicks ( or character) it works wonderfully. Don't assume that you will destroy your strop, just try not to. Take your time with the stropping technique and you won't need to lay your strop of a table. Practice the technique with anything razor ish shaped and a belt if you are worried. Or just take it steady.