Happiness researcher Olga Mecking shares why "niksen," the Dutch art of doing nothing, is one of the biggest reasons why people in the Netherlands are so happy and content.

I was born in Poland and grew up in Germany, but my family and I have been living in the Netherlands for the last 14 years.

When I first discovered the concept of “niksen,” or the Dutch art of doing nothing, I was fascinated. I even wrote a book about it. When I applied it to my own life, my perspective about happiness shifted in a significant way.

I believe niksen is one of the reasons why the Dutch are consistently ranked as some of the happiest people in the world. Niksen might seem selfish or boring at first glance, but it’s actually a service to you and your community.

  • EldritchFeminity@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    11·
    4 months ago

    Seems like niksen is basically assuming all the other things are already in place. Gotta have all that other stuff before you can even think about having the time to “do nothing.”

    Edit: Either that or we’re in yet another “it must be all the olive oil!” shams.