I spent a couple of hours yesterday lying in a hammock, listening to a book on tape. It was sunny and warm, and to be honest, it may be the most relaxing thing I’ve done in a long time. The hammock has bug netting, so I can enjoy the outdoors without stinky chemicals, and without turning into a connect-the-dots puzzle. (My back yard isn’t the most probable place for deer ticks, anyway.)

I probably should have gotten an earlier start so I could get a few more hours out of the morning.

The Writing Excuses Podcast was talking about making sure that you have at least a little time that’s truly, truly your own. Something where there’s no pressure to be productive. They’re not wrong, but let me tell you, it takes effort.

You really have to concentrate on not concentrating on anything for a while before you get the hang of it.

I got there, eventually. Cold soda and layered granola bars, and me just swinging in the breeze.

I took two notebooks and a fountain pen with me, and I intended to use them.

I readjusted my hammock straps twice to be–sorta– upright, and then gave up. A hammock is not an office chair. Stay in one long enough, and eventually, it forces you to relax.

With so much absolutely nothing to do, you’d think I’d have gotten started on it, sooner. Nope. First time in the hammock for any length of time this summer. I highly recommend it.

So, what do you do to carve out a little downtime? Any favorites? Hammock-worthy snacks?