From Busy to Balanced: How to Practice Niksen for a More Balanced Life

Inside: Learn how to practice niksen to create more balance in your life.

In today’s fast-paced world, it can feel like there’s an endless list of things to do and accomplish. From work deadlines and family obligations to the constant notifications popping up on our phones, the pressure to always be “on” is overwhelming. 

But what if there was a way to step back, embrace stillness, and find balance without feeling guilty? 

That’s where niksen – the Dutch art of doing nothing – comes into play.

Niksen comes from the Dutch word “niks,” which literally means “nothing.” It’s the practice of deliberately doing nothing and simply letting your mind wander without a specific purpose or goal.

Unlike mindfulness, which focuses on being present in the moment, or meditation, which often involves structured techniques, niksen is about embracing unstructured time to simply exist. It’s about giving yourself permission to pause and just be.

This might sound unusual in a culture that glorifies productivity, but research shows that downtime is essential for your mental health, creativity, and overall well-being.

By incorporating niksen into your life, you can go from constantly feeling busy to achieving a state of balance and intentional living.

How Can I Benefit from Practicing Niksen?

Practicing niksen can be incredibly helpful in today’s over-scheduled world as a simple, effective, and cost-free solution to stress and overstimulation. 

By fighting the constant urge to be productive, niksen helps reduce overwhelm and prevent burnout, giving your mind and body much-needed time to recharge.

Easing productive overload with niksen can also boost creativity, as it gives your brain time and freedom to make unexpected connections and generate fresh ideas during moments of idle thought.

Improved mental clarity is another benefit, giving you the perspective you need to overcome challenges and solve problems. 

And while it might seem counterintuitive, regularly taking time to let your mind wander can actually improve your focus.

Intentional breaks can help clear your mental clutter, replenish your energy, and improve your ability to concentrate when you return to whatever requires your attention. 

How to Practice Niksen for a More Balanced Life

One of the great things about niksen is that you don’t need any special tools or formal training to get started, making it easy to integrate into your routine.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

1 – Anticipate – and allow for – some initial challenges.

While taking the time to do nothing can come easily to some, for many of us, the idea of embracing the practice of niksen can feel uncomfortable – or even a little anxiety-inducing. 

You might feel restless when you first start practicing niksen. After all, sitting still and doing nothing when you have a to-do list a mile long can be tough to accept.

Acknowledge the discomfort and remind yourself it’s okay to simply sit with it. 

Your mind might race. You may find your thoughts wandering to your afternoon plans, your worries, or what you’re going to have for lunch.

If this happens, try a quick journaling exercise before you begin your niksen practice. Take a few minutes to write down anything and everything on your mind – chances are, it’ll help you be more present in your niksen practice.

Another challenge? In our society, business is often equated with success, and most people think that doing nothing has no real positive benefit.

As a result, you might feel external pressure – real or imagined – that makes it hard to take your niksen practice seriously. Challenge this narrative by reframing niksen as a valuable self-care habit that helps create balance.

2 – Create a dedicated space and time for niksen. 

Find a spot in your home or elsewhere that feels calming and free from distractions.

This could be a corner with a comfortable chair, a window seat, or even a quiet outdoor location. Having a designated place can make it easier to shift into a state of niksen.

Additionally, take an intentional approach to niksen by dedicating time to the task. Block it on your calendar, just as you would for a meeting or an appointment.

Treat it as a non-negotiable commitment to yourself and your well-being.

3 – Start small. 

Don’t commit to a 30-minute niksen session when you’re getting started. Like all new habits, it’s smart to break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Begin with short intervals of time, such as five to ten minutes a day. These small moments can help you acclimate to doing nothing without feeling overwhelmed.

Over time, you can gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the practice.

4 – Disconnect from technology. 

Turn off your phone or place it in another room to avoid the temptation of notifications. The goal is to have unstructured time, free from the distractions of emails, social media, and digital noise.

Niksen promotes slow living as you intentionally slow down and decrease distractions.

5 – Pair niksen with existing routines or activities. 

Incorporate niksen into parts of your day that already have natural pauses. For instance, you can habit stack by practicing niksen while sipping your morning coffee, enjoying a little fresh air during your lunch break, or lying in bed before sleep. 

Alternatively, you can capitalize on daily moments that often feel like “wasted time” – like time spent waiting in line at the grocery store or sitting in the carpool pick-up lane. 

6 – Resist the urge to be productive. 

The most challenging part of niksen is overcoming the impulse to multitask or turn idle time into something “useful.”

Remember, the value of niksen lies in the act of doing nothing. Allow yourself to let go of productivity-driven habits for a brief time and just simply be.

After all, there’s plenty of other time in the day to be productive. 

7 – Observe your surroundings.

While niksen doesn’t require mindfulness, gently observing your environment can enhance the experience.

Watch the movement of leaves, listen to ambient sounds, or notice the play of light in the room. Let your thoughts come and go. 

In an often overstimulating world, this can be challenging at first, but this practice can help you become more in tune with the world around you.

8 – Adapt your practice over time. 

Niksen doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach. For some, it may mean sitting quietly and daydreaming; for others, it could involve lying on the couch or sitting in nature.

Try different settings and activities to discover what feels most natural for you.

While incorporating the practice of doing nothing into your schedule may seem counterproductive, that’s the point. Being busy all of the time leads to burnout.

Taking moments for true rest can help you achieve more balance in your life.

How do you plan to practice niksen in your life? Leave a comment and let me know!

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