Niksen

After a refreshing break from all established habits, including writing here, I'm back.

Despite my ambitious goal of committing to 100 days of breaking habits, I struggled to stick to it, finding 30 days to feel like an eternity. During this time, I learned a valuable lesson about the Dutch concept of Niksen, or doing nothing intentionally.

Niksen involves allowing the mind to wander without a specific purpose, embracing moments of idleness in your day. Interestingly, I found that doing nothing for the first time felt fulfilling.

However, Niksen isn't about abandoning your job for a life in the woods; it's about recognizing the balance between rest and productivity. In an odd way, it helped me be more present and attuned to the moment, fostering a deeper appreciation for life and peace.

In our productivity-obsessed world, practicing Niksen is an act of self-care. These periods of idleness sparked creativity and gave birth to new ideas as my mind wandered without pressure.

Niksen is about letting go of the need to achieve and allowing yourself the freedom to do nothing. I filled large portions of my time with Niksen, binge-watching multiple series without feeling guilty. I've scheduled short Niksen breaks throughout the day going forward, even just for five minutes. Mindless walking felt good for a change, aimless puttering felt exhilarating. The most beneficial part was disconnecting from my phone and laptop for a good three hours a day, which helped me unplug in ways I never imagined possible.

I learnt about NIKSEN for the first time. I could relate to the concept but didn't know the word.

How about you? Are you practicing Niksen?