The Lost Art of Doing Nothing: How the Dutch Unwind with Niksen

by Maartje Willems, Lona Aalders (Illustrator)

Overview

“The best thing about niksen is the absence of a goal. It doesn’t serve a purpose, but it’s wonderful.”

Don’t you think it’s time for a break?

Plagued—as we are!—by nonstop pings and notifications, we have lost the knack of zoning out. Kicking back. Slacking off. Even when pandemic-induced lockdowns forcibly cleared our calendars, many who thought I’m free! filled their days with Netflix and doomscrolling. How can we reclaim our free time (planned or not) to truly rest and reset?

The Dutch have it figured out: with niksen. Perhaps their best-kept lifestyle secret, niksen is the art of doing, well, nothing. It’s the opposite of productivity, and it’s incredibly good for your . . .

• MIND—it makes you calmer.
• BODY—it offers rest on hectic days.
• CREATIVITY—it clears a space for brilliant ideas.
• WALLET—it’s free!

If you’re waiting for an invitation to go lie down in the sunshine, this book is it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615197644
Publisher:	The Experiment
Publication date:	03/16/2021
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	237,751
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 5.50(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

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 Willems.

Editorial Reviews

01/11/2021

Journalist Willems (From Now On Everything Will Get Better) and illustrator Aalders (Bullet Journaling) encourage readers to take it easy in this charming handbook. Niksen, a concept originating in the Netherlands, is the “absence of any other activity” and can be achieved with three simple things: time, a calm mind, and solitude. The authors define it as “suddenly, in an unguarded moment, having nothing to do and not finding something new to do” or canceling a planned activity “and replacing it with absolutely nothing at all.” While the authors address similar tactics in other cultures—like the Japanese practice of “forest bathing” or the Finnish Pantsdrunk (drinking at home, alone, and in one’s underwear)—they argue the Dutch art of niksen has a special appeal: “If it’s totally meaningless, it’s niksen.... And no, three hours of aimless scrolling doesn’t qualify.” For the Dutch, the authors write, niksen is the cure for stress, burnout, and overstimulation. They also briefly explain how niksen can benefit heart health, improve energy levels, and counteract work fatigue while keeping scientific explanations light. This pleasant, effortless work will be perfect for any busybody. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

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

BuzzFeed

"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

"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

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

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

“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

From the Publisher

Kate Mulligan is an energetic and sincere narrator for a title that touts the value of doing nothing. She explains the Dutch philosophy of “niksen,” which exhorts people to clear their minds as a way of increasing their happiness. Mulligan sounds like an excited friend who has found a new theory she can't wait to explain. She sounds warm and engaging, all the while maintaining a swift and steady pace. But no matter how good Mulligan’s performance is, the art of doing nothing might be a tough sell in this time of pandemic, when many are feeling as though they have been doing very little for a long time. Nonetheless, Willems and Mulligan entertain while they inform. M.R. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

MAY 2021 - AudioFile