The Lost Art of Doing Nothing

Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves is nothing. The Dutch have a word for this form of active rest: niksen (which translates closely to "doing nothing"). It is a state of non-productivity - staring out a window, lying on the grass, closing our eyes, or listening to music - that can help decrease stress, improve health, inspire creativity, and more. But it's harder than you think, and by no means a holy grail. In this fast-paced world our brains are not easily switched off. And for the Dutch, the word implies that you don't just stand there empty-handed, but do something and live your best life!



In this charmingly illustrated guide, Dutch journalist Maartje Willems draws on a pool of interviews, studies, books, and films to teach us exactly how niksen can lead to a healthier way of living.



Following on the tail of hygge and lagom, the global phenomenon of niksen could be misunderstood as yet another promise for a better life. But niksen shows us that all this doing only adds up to more stress about why these so-called easy tools have not led to lasting happiness. This book reveals the lost art of a word that has been around for centuries, and helps us find a less stressful and more easygoing world.

“"Charming . . . This pleasant, effortless work will be perfect for any busybody." -- Publishers Weekly”

"A charming and accessible how-to guide to chilling out." -- BuzzFeed

"I got a surprising amount of guidance. . . . It looks like a coffee table gift book, partly because of the lovely illustrations. . . but there are questions to answer and exercises to try." -- The Boston Globe
"This compact book builds a case of why we should do nothing and how to get started. It has beautiful, soothing illustrations that make us feel calm and light. It also introduced me to the term ‘JOMO’ that stands for the joy of missing out (here to replace sad old FOMO). I have experienced JOMO multiple times and I’m glad to have a term for it." -- Book Riot

Maartje Willems is a Dutch journalist and writer. She lives in Amsterdam where she works as a freelancer and for the VPRO radio program Never Sleep Again. She previously wrote the self-help book Vanaf nu wordt alles beter (From Now on Everything Will Get Better).



Lona Aalders is a photographer and illustrator. She lives in a tiny house in Baambrugge and sees slow living as her personal religion. She previously authored the book Bullet Journaling: This is How You Do It! and illustrated Vanaf Nu wordt alles beter for Maartje Willemes.

Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves is nothing. The Dutch have a word for this form of active rest: niksen (which translates closely to "doing nothing"). It is a state of non-productivity - staring out a window, lying on the grass, closing our eyes, or listening to music - that can help decrease stress, improve health, inspire creativity, and more. But it's harder than you think, and by no means a holy grail. In this fast-paced world our brains are not easily switched off. And for the Dutch, the word implies that you don't just stand there empty-handed, but do something and live your best life!In this charmingly illustrated guide, Dutch journalist Maartje Willems draws on a pool of interviews, studies, books, and films to teach us exactly how niksen can lead to a healthier way of living.Following on the tail of hygge and lagom , the global phenomenon of niksen could be misunderstood as yet another promise for a better life. But niksen shows us that all this doing only adds up to more stress about why these so-called easy tools have not led to lasting happiness. This book reveals the lost art of a word that has been around for centuries, and helps us find a less stressful and more easygoing world.

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