There’s something special about a hammock.
Since our move, I’ve been pining after one. Living in Scotland for the past five years basically meant any chance of lying in a hammock was slim to none, replaced by lying next to a wood-burning stove. Sure, it’s not a terrible compromise, but like Twizzlers and Red Vines, they are very different (and both very good) things.
As part of completing our move to a much warmer climate, my wife surprised me with my new favorite piece of furniture. It arrived in the morning, and by lunchtime, I was already lying in it, blissfully reminded of how much I love the feeling of a hammock.
Here’s the thing: when you sit in a hammock (assuming you don’t fall out), you are forced to recline. Nothing other than total submission to chilling out and being in the moment is allowed. Aside from maybe reading a book, there isn’t much else that feels good while in a hammock other than staring into space, grinning from ear to ear, and definitely napping. Using a phone while lying on a hammock certainly feels wrong. While it’s tempting, enjoying a drink isn’t the easiest while in a hammock, and it is best had as a pre-funk for your hammock enjoyment.
In other words, the hammock requires you to just be.
Maybe the most subversive and subtle trick a hammock performs is pointing your eyes to the sky. Everyone needs more time to look up at something, be it the clouds, the trees, the endless blue, or, if you are doing it right, the stars.
This is the glorious effect of the hammock.
Comments welcome!