Going on holidays is more or less the most exciting thing that urbanites do. "Where are you going? Oh, my God! I've heard it is beautiful there. I'm sooooo jealous! Can you pick up some duty free alcohol/perfume/cigarettes for me?"

I have just had the pleasure of three weeks without Microsoft Excel ruining eight hours of every day. It was magic. Waking up at midday. Lunch until sunset. Twelve hour drinking sessions. A few bad crime novels. The works. It was fantastic, especially since I was lucky enough to spend some time overseas and catch up with friends who I hadn't seen for some time. It was the most satisfying three weeks that I can remember.

Upon my return home plenty of people have asked what the highlight of my holiday was. A fair question, except in my case I cannot name a handful of incidents or activities that stand out above the rest. The highlight was not an event, but an overwhelming sensation of freedom. Freedom from obligation. Freedom from social convention. Freedom from calendars, schedules and clocks.

A common boast of Australians and citizens of Western democracies is that we live in a free country. In theory we can do anything we wish so long as we do not interfere with the welfare of others. But this notion of freedom seems pointless if we are unable to feel the sensation of its benefits.

Many of us are our own worst enemies when it comes to stifling the sensation of freedom. We tie ourselves to our jobs, as if personal satisfaction can be generated from a title on a business card. We bind ourselves further to financial obligation by purchasing fast depreciating assets on credit, or using services that we really don't need. For many of us employment is not about the thrill of accomplishment and competition, but a way of working off our debts. For a few weeks each year we might go to some faraway place to forget about work. Then it's back to the office to pay off the holiday.

Don't be a masochist. Enjoy your freedom, lest it be taken away...