When your out-of-office reply becomes a lifestyle.
Dreaming of the Unclocked Life
Ten years ago, I spent a weekend at Sandals Resort. It wasn’t exactly the carefree, planned getaway it looked like on the brochure. You know what? Let’s call it what it was, a staycation. Just two days earlier, my organization had wrapped up a big event at the very same resort and it was now time for my annual vacation leave. So there I was, one exhausted soul, still in full “event host” mode, trying to trick my brain into vacation mode.
I have the photographic evidence to prove it. There I am, standing stiffly by the pool, not a cocktail in sight, looking like someone who accidentally wandered into paradise on her lunch break.
And before that, there’s the shot of me fully dressed, shoes and all, in a hammock on the beach, waiting for my room assignment. Who does that? (Answer: a woman who hadn’t yet learned how to stop working and start unwinding.)
Dreaming of the Unclocked Life
At the time, retirement was just a dream. I’d look around at the couples sipping piña coladas or whatever, toes buried in the sand, and wonder: Would I ever get to live like that? Would there be a day when I wasn’t checking my computer for emails?
Retirement: The Ultimate Upgrade
Fast forward to today. Retirement has arrived, and guess what? It feels like checking into the longest all-inclusive stay of my life. Only now, there’s no conference call waiting, no name badge around my neck, and no room assignment holding me hostage in a hammock (LOL).
Just mornings without the alarm clock, afternoons that taste suspiciously like rum punch (or what I believe rum punch tastes like), and a calendar as wide open as the Caribbean sky.
Lessons from a Hammock
Looking back, I realize that weekend at Sandals was more than just a break. It was a preview. A tiny glimpse of what life could feel like if I ever got to truly clock out. Ten years later, I’ve finally upgraded: no wristbands, no work stress, just me, living unclocked.
So here’s to the version of me that once sat overdressed in a hammock on a beach, dreaming of this freedom. She’d be happy to know the dream came true, and that these days, I don’t wait for room keys to start enjoying myself.
And here’s to you: don’t wait until retirement to give yourself permission to rest. Find your hammock moment now. Whether it’s in a five-star resort, your backyard, or your living room couch. Trust me, do not wait!
Quick Tips for Finding Your “Hammock Moment”
- Schedule micro-breaks: Even 15 minutes of doing nothing can reset your brain.
- Create a no-work zone: Pick a chair, corner, or hammock that’s just for unwinding.
- Practice saying no: Protect your downtime like a scheduled meeting.
- Plan mini-getaways: A day trip can work wonders for your mindset.
- Unplug intentionally: Silence notifications and let yourself really disconnect.
Corporate Escape Clause
💼 Consider this your official memo:
To all Employees: Mandatory hammock time is now in effect!
