Niksen - The Art of Doing Nothing

Niksen - the life concept to do nothing, to be idle or doing something without any use - is an interesting idea to someone like me who is trying to optimize productivity.

To sit and relax and watch the clouds.

To watch the tide come in and out.

To watch the wind blow amidst the plants

The idea of niksen is an interesting contradiction when you try to apply it from a productivity lens. Why should one ‘waste’ time letting their mind wander.

How is that helpful?

Well, I think a global pandemic showed the world the need to de-stress, to veg out, and to relax.

Burnout, especially, is a real thing and if people don’t build good habits to support internal balance or release of tension, it’s an unsustainable lifestyle.

Sure, different people will have different tolerance levels for the absolute total amount of stress but everyone has their breaking point.

We saw it through the COVID19 pandemic.

Up to 47% of US Healthcare workers are planning to leave their positions by 2025.

So clearly, constant and elevated stress is not sustainable.

So although niksen may not be seen as a means of short-term productivity, I think it is a means of sustained and long term capacity and resilience.

Being bored is okay. Being bored is good. Being bored can let you generate creative solutions, seek alternatives, let your mind do its thing. Being bored can let you settle down, downshift, slow down.

Here are some of the things I like to do that I think de-stress me.

Wake Up 40 Minutes Early to Enjoy Coffee At Home.

Start with a slow morning. Having the ability to make a fresh cup of coffee (via aeropress), sit and enjoy it at the dining table and think quietly. To wake up slowly.

Listening to Vinyl

I picked up the interest of listening to vinyls. Yes, mp3s and Spotify do the job great but there’s something ceremonial and calming about playing a vinyl record. About changing records. About changing songs. It slows down the process. It makes me much more intentional and I am playing an active role in the experience.

Schedule Free Time

You will never ‘find’ free time. You absolutely have to schedule time for everything that is important to you and scheduling free time is included in that as well. So schedule time to do nothing. Allow yourself permission to let your mind wander. Because there are benefits. There’s a whole life philosophy revolving this disengagement.

Driving

This may not resonate with everyone, but I enjoy driving and my commute to work is a 45-60 minute commute. It’s gotten to a point where it’s an autopilot experience and I can de-stress and disengage from the brainy duties and responsibilities of my life.

Do It Guilt-free

Now this is a.tough one but a necessary part of the de-stressing process.

Drop the guilt.

Slowing down isn’t necessarily a step back in productivity.

Formula 1 drivers have to downshift to navigate turns and hazards. Going slower can in the bigger picture save you from driving yourself into a wall.

Remember that taking short breaks and vacations are elements of—not detractors from—success.

And by intentionally and confidently valuing and incorporating periods of stillness, you'll ensure the longevity of enhanced productivity—and well-being.