Carmelita & Django Exhibiting the Art of Niksen

I literally turned from my to-do list the other day to rest on the floor beside the dogs for 15 minutes. I lay there on my back in the kitchen looking out the picture window at the sky, oak tree, and birds flitting by. I did nothing but enjoy my new perspective while petting my two furry companions. The to-do list would wait for me. In fact, when I returned to it, I faced it with a new energy and attitude and blasted through it faster than I might have had I not taken the rest.

Two days later, I came across the term for this in Dutch, niksen. Perhaps you have already heard of this word that means do nothing. It’s a term that’s been hyped in the news for several years, but I have come late to the niksen party, just like I was the last to learn the Norwegian term hygge, or getting cozy. Combine niksen and hygge and you have a recipe for facing the New England winter. Though niksen is even easier to adopt; no need to light a candle, make a fire, or find your favorite sweater and blanket. Just niksen – do nothing. It’s the simplest self-care practice of all.

I know it seems counterintuitive given our culture of doing and productivity. Further, niksen seems like a radical idea to embrace as we race towards the end of 2024 and the holiday season where there is much to accomplish. I promise, if you can embrace some time to do nothing, profound benefits for both your mental and physical well-being await.

What is Niksen?

Niksen isn’t simply about being lazy or wasting time. It’s about giving yourself the freedom to step away from constant activity and to fully embrace stillness. Even if it is for just 10 or 15 minutes. It’s a conscious decision to let go of the pressure to constantly be productive or in motion, to allow your mind and body the space to reset, recharge, and reconnect with the present moment. And no, scrolling through email and social media does not count for recharging oneself through niksen.

Niksen is a practice that I had naturally turned to and honed as a child growing up in the woods of Maine. I could sit and “just be” for hours while watching the natural world around me. I am reminded of lines from Mary Oliver’s The Summer Day:

I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

How unfortunate that we often lose our ability to just be and pay attention to our inner world or the beautiful world we live in. We can relearn the practice and reap the benefits if we try.

How To Niksen

First you must learn to recognize when you need to practice niksen. You may need niksen when you hear yourself saying, “I’m just going to power through,” when you are overwhelmed and unfocused, when you are irritable or feel blocked.

To practice you simply pick a spot outside or at a window to just observe and do nothing. You can put on relaxing music and just sit. Sit in a tub, sit in front of a fireplace – no distractions, just stillness. It’s that simple.

The Benefits of Niksen

1. Reduces Stress
   ​Taking time to do nothing allows you to step out of the stress cycle. It helps lower cortisol levels, calm your nervous system, and promote relaxation.
2. Boosts Creativity
   ​When you give your mind the freedom to wander, you often allow it to access a deeper state of creativity. Many people find that some of their best ideas come not during focused work, but during moments of stillness. Struggling to get something accomplished? Try niksen, then come back to your task.
3. Improves Mental Health
   ​Doing nothing can actually improve your mental health by allowing you to disconnect from the constant noise of the world. Niksen helps you cultivate mindfulness and build a sense of inner peace.
4. Enhances Productivity
   ​Paradoxical as it may seem, by embracing periods of “doing nothing,” you can actually become more productive. Rest is essential for maintaining focus, mental clarity, and energy, leading to more effective action when you do engage.

The Downside of Niksen
​While niksen offers many benefits, it should be approached with mindfulness and balance. I confess, I have definitely overindulged in this practice. In this case, prolonged idleness can lead to feelings of guilt or anxiety. Further, the practice of “doing nothing” might feel unproductive or uncomfortable, leading to frustration or a sense of being unfulfilled. As with all things, moderation and finding a balance between rest and action is key. Niksen should never feel like an avoidance of important tasks or responsibilities, but rather a chance to reset so that we can show up more fully and consciously when we do engage.

Why Do We Struggle So to Slow Down?
​I was raised by a man in constant motion, and I am now married to a man in constant motion. I have always felt guilty when not doing or producing, but practicing and teaching mindfulness has helped me learn the profound benefits and healing that come through stillness. I understand that for many of us, the idea of stopping or slowing down feels deeply unsettling. There’s a pervasive fear that if we’re not always doing, we’re falling behind or we’re going to miss out. Perhaps sometimes we’re afraid to do nothing because then we create space to feel, face our fears, or hear the often negative, anxious chatter inside. Yet, in reality, moments of rest and stillness are not time lost, but time regained — a chance to reconnect with essential aspects of ourselves and recharge our mental, emotional, and physical reserves.

Niksen Through Sound Baths and Retreats
​As a mindfulness facilitator, I believe that taking time for ourselves is necessary for personal growth and well-being. If you’re looking to truly embody the spirit of slowing down, I invite you to join me for a sound bath, retreat, or my 5-Day New Years Mindfulness Challenge: Start Centered. All offer unique opportunities to step away from everyday life and immerse yourself in the practice of simply being.

Three Opportunities for Practicing in Community:

1.Sound Baths: The vibrations of sound therapy encourage a meditative experience that supports relaxation, clarity, and peace. During a sound bath, you can let go of the constant chatter of the mind and reconnect with the present moment — exactly what niksen encourages.

Right now I have a sound bath sale: $60/ 60 minutes including up to 5 people. It’s a great gift or experience for you and some chosen friends and family members. Sale ends December 20th; must be used within 6 months of purchase. Find details and purchase form here.​

2. Mindfulness Retreats: Barred Owl retreats are designed to provide you with the space to reconnect with your authenticity, recharge, realign, and tap into your inner stillness and wisdom. Through guided meditation, mindfulness practices, reflection, and movement you’ll experience the benefits of stepping away from your daily responsibilities and learning how to be. Please consider joining me in January for a Women’s Mindfulness Weekend Retreat. Click the button below for all the retreat details.

3. The Free New Year Mindfulness Challenge: This limited, online experience provides a taste of practicing mindfulness in community. I will share some powerful practice for getting centered and clear to start the new year with more focus, intuition, and intention. You will get powerful meditations and important questions for living awake and aligned and fulfilled in 2025. Click below to join the free challenge where you will get gifts and meditations to use throughout the year.

The resonance of sound and the sanctuary of a retreat align with the core practice of niksen where you can cultivate peace and nourish mind, body, and spirit.

Take Time to Just Be

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of slowing down, I’d love to guide you on your journey. Join me for a sound bath, retreat, or the January challenge and take the time to just be.

Wishing you some cherished, guilt-free stillness amidst this busy end of year,

Jess

Please share this with anyone who might be interested in the Barred Owl offerings.