If you can find a way to make a living doing something you enjoy, or a range of things that you enjoy, then it can scarcely be called work. Tom Hodgkinson callenjoyfind Change image and share on social
In both word and deed, one of the greatest idlers of all time was John Lennon. In his songs we see repeated defences of simply lying around doing nothing. Tom Hodgkinson deeddefencegreat Change image and share on social
When stuck years ago in a job I hated, my only friend was the public bench. As the tedious mornings dragged on, how I would long for the lunch hour, when I would be able to escape the torture of the office and stroll over to the churchyard and into the comforting wooden embrace of one of its benches. Tom Hodgkinson agobenchchurchyard share on social
I could happily lean on a gate all the livelong day, chatting to passers-by about the wind and the rain. I do a lot of gate-leaning while I am supposed to be gardening; instead of hoeing, I lean on the gate, stare at the vegetable beds and ponder. Tom Hodgkinson bedchatday share on social
Punk was a protest against work and against boredom. It was a sign of life, a rant, a scream, a rejection of bourgeois morals. But have things improved since then? Arguably, they've got worse. Tom Hodgkinson arguablybadlyboredom Change image and share on social
Doing something you enjoy at times of your own choosing and making a living from it: now tell me, is that work? Tom Hodgkinson chooseenjoylive Change image and share on social
When walking, you see things that you miss in a motor car or on the train. You give your mind space to ponder. Tom Hodgkinson cargivemind Change image and share on social
Beauty, pleasure, freedom and plenty of sleep: these are the hallmarks of a successful idler's break. Travel should not be hard work. Tom Hodgkinson beautybreakfreedom Change image and share on social
Embrace the faff. Stare out of the window. Bend paperclips. Stand in the middle of the room trying to remember what you came downstairs for. Pace. Drum your fingertips. Move papers around. Hum. Look at the garden. Tom Hodgkinson benddownstairsdrum share on social
Surely, anyway, a working day of eight or nine hours which is not split by a nap is simply too much for a human being to take, day in, day out, and particularly so in hot weather. Tom Hodgkinson dayhothour Change image and share on social