The Happiness of ‘Nothing’
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you" – Anne Lamott
We live in a world where achievement, productivity, and being busy are celebrated. Got a new idea? Side Hustle! Want success? Go to school, get a job, and get to work. We begin to see life based only on outcomes, but have we missed the point?
What if there was something more to happiness and fulfillment beyond the need to stay busy?
An article from CNBC explored just that. Reports show Denmark consistently tops the world’s happiest country list. So what is their secret (it does get very cold there)? It may be as simple as doing nothing.
Denmark has embraced the concept of Niksen, which is the art of doing nothing:
Niksen is not a form of meditation, nor is it a state of laziness or boredom. It’s not scrolling through social media, or wondering what you’re going to cook for dinner. Rather, to niks is to make a conscious choice to sit back, let go, and do nothing at all.
Meanwhile, Americans have the reputation of being overworked by working long hours and less time off, including sick days. Every hobby we take on, even meditating, has a purpose, and we ‘work’ on it.
Perfect for anyone who feels overwhelmed, burnt out, or exhausted, NIKSEN does not tell you to work harder. Instead, it shows you how to take a break from all the busyness while giving you sincere, heartfelt permission to do nothing.
The concept of Niksen reminds me that we should allow ourselves to get bored more. By doing nothing,' you can give yourself a chance to be bored, have new ideas, hear your thoughts, and turn off the world's stimuli.
Interested in trying the idea? This week, give yourself a set amount of time to do nothing. Try stepping away from all the mindless scrolling, TV watching, or being 'plugged in.' Instead, do nothing. Own that you are doing nothing when anyone asks what you are doing. You could even invite someone to do nothing with you. It might teach you something; perhaps you'll get bored, rest, or find a bit of happiness.
“Doe normal, dat is al gek genoeg,” which means “just be normal, that’s already crazy enough.”
Newsletters I read daily to stay informed and get inspired: The Hustle, Morning Brew, Seth Godin’s Blog, Atlas Obscura, Oprah Daily
Podcasts: The Daily, NPR News Now, Marketplace, Marketplace Tech, Don’t Keep Your Day Job, The Highest Self, Planet Money
Well, that’s interesting…
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See the full playlist below.
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