Niksen Embracing the Dutch art of doing nothing

In spring 2019, Mecking, a married mother of three in the Netherlands, published "The Case for Doing Nothing" in the New York Times and the story went viral. In this expanded version, she enthusiastically reasserts the case for niksen, the Dutch word for guiltlessly doing nothing. After all, she notes, "being a modern-day human is exhausting." She embraces niksening and being a nikseneer and laments constant busyness. Each chapter ends with three questions, such as, "When was the last time you did nothing at all?" To her, niksening can include walking, biking, crocheting, or anything else that lets the mind wander. This wellness book urges readers to let go of to-do lists. In the epilogue, Mecking does admit that she sometimes falls short in her quest to create "nikstopia." For instance, she thinks about asking her mom, a genetics professor, to clone her. She also wants people to be out and about, not just sitting home. But taking breaks, she convincingly argues, does help people be better employees, avoid burnout, and live better.

Journalist Mecking, expanding on her viral New York Times article, highlights in her pleasing debut a wellness trend from the Netherlands that doesn't require any special equipment or complex training. The concept of niksen, she writes, is essentially "the act of doing nothing." Making a point of separating it from mindfulness meditation--which still requires posture, focus, and intention, and is rooted in wanting to do something--Mecking explains niksen as a way of doing nothing in order to allow one's mind to rest. She speaks with many experts who weigh in on the value of niksen as a way to boost creativity and productivity, and provides tips on how to resist the pressure to stay busy, manage expectations, and find hobbies one can do "with niksen in mind" (like running, owning an aquarium, or doing yoga). Mecking's friendly, almost motherly tone is a great match for the concept, though her exceedingly thorough approach of reviewing, examining, and exploring her topic from every conceivable angle can feel ironically exhausting. Self-help readers who have been enjoying the wave of imported lifestyle guides have something new to look forward to. (Jan.)