In a world that measures worth by how much we do, doing nothing can feel almost scandalous. However, I’ve been embracing the quiet art of niksen—a Dutch word for “doing nothing.” There are no goals and no outcomes—just being.
At first, it felt almost impossible. My mind was trained to fill every gap—check an email, read an article, plan the next project. Yet, what if we allowed those gaps to stay open? What if we let ourselves rest in the soft pause of nothingness?
Rediscovering Stillness
I used to think rest had to be earned. I thought I needed to finish every task and cross every item off the list before I could sit down. Over time, I realized that rest isn’t a reward; it’s a human need.
Niksen invites us to sit quietly, stare out the window, or simply let our minds drift. It’s not meditation or productivity in disguise. Instead, it’s the sweet permission to exist without expectation.
The Power of Doing Nothing
Doing nothing doesn’t mean wasting time. Instead, it means creating space—for new ideas, for clarity, and for the kind of calm that can’t be forced.
When I practice niksen, I notice more: the way the light shifts in the room, the soft breath of my dogs sleeping nearby, and the quiet hum of the world around me. These gentle observations remind me that being is enough. I don’t have to prove it with action.
Letting Go of the Need to Fill
At first, doing nothing felt… uncomfortable. My thoughts raced in circles: Shouldn’t I be doing something? Shouldn’t I be moving forward?
Gradually, I began to trust the stillness. I started to see that in these quiet moments, there’s a different kind of richness—one that doesn’t depend on checklists or outcomes.
Niksen isn’t about avoiding life; it’s about honoring the spaces between. Furthermore, it’s about letting the world breathe around you—and within you.
Why It Matters
We live in a culture that celebrates hustle and tells us that more is better, faster is best. Nevertheless, when we choose niksen, we remind ourselves that life isn’t just about output. It’s also about being.
In that being, we can find clarity, calm, and a deeper connection to what truly matters.
A Quiet Invitation
Today, I invite you to let yourself do nothing—even just for five minutes. Find a spot where you can watch the sky and let your mind wander.
You don’t have to produce or perfect. In fact, you can simply be. Because the quiet art of nothing is more than a pause—it’s a gentle return to yourself.
There’s nothing to fix in a quiet moment — only something to feel.
For more softness at the end of the day, Evenings That Feel Like Exhales offers a reflection on slowing down, winding down, and letting go.