Niksen: The Power of Doing Nothing
When stillness feels like an emergency, your brain is actually starving for downtime. Discover why 'nothinging' boosts creativity and how to reclaim rest.
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It’s a paradox, really—to get more done, you have to do less. When you stop seeing every minute as something that needs to be 'spent' or 'optimized,' you realize that 'wasting time' is actually a necessary part of the process.
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The Quiet Power of Doing Nothing
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Niksen is a Dutch concept that literally translates to "nothinging." Unlike mindfulness or meditation, which often have specific goals or techniques, niksen is simply doing nothing without a purpose. It involves letting your mind wander freely—such as staring out a window or sitting on a bench—without trying to achieve a state of relaxation or focus.
When you stop focusing on a specific task, a brain network called the Default Mode Network (DMN) becomes active. This network acts as a background processor that connects unrelated memories, simulates future scenarios, and runs abstract problem-solving. By "nothinging," you stop suffocating this network, allowing solutions to "pop" into your head during what scientists call an incubation period.
This discomfort is often caused by "contingent self-worth," a psychological belief that your value as a human is tied directly to your output. Many people are conditioned from childhood to feel safe or valued only when they are achieving goals. When you sit still, this old conditioning triggers a "false alarm" of fear, making you feel like you are falling behind or losing your worth.
No, scrolling through your phone or listening to a podcast is not niksen because these activities provide "input." For the Default Mode Network to engage and provide creative benefits, the brain needs to be free from external stimulation. True niksen requires an undemanding environment where the conscious mind is quiet enough for the unconscious mind to roam.
You can start by practicing "drift blocks" or "scheduled mind wandering." After a period of intense focus, take ten minutes to just drift without your phone or emails. You can also practice niksen in small gaps, such as standing still while the microwave runs or looking out the window between meetings. The key is to stop trying to do it "well" and simply allow yourself to exist without producing anything.
Создано выпускниками Колумбийского университета в Сан-Франциско
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
