Interesting book about doing nothing and not feeling guilty about it, It is an enjoyable read even though the parts about Dutch culture and daily life were the best bits rather than Niksen itself. It is quite funny how all these things need defining and compartmentalising, and how there has to be a whole list of what it is and what it is not. I have to admit I prefer things to be much more simple and to " just do nothing" on your own terms. I am drawn to anything that aims to reduce stress and slow life down a bit so it is definitely worth a read. Just pick the bits you like and enjoy.

This is a book about doing nothing, but I felt the text said nothing. It was redundant and poorly written without making a point beyond we should all do nothing sometimes. I read half before I gave up.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
I was initially really excited to read this book because the concept seems extremely interesting and it still does. I'm just not a big fan of the fact that it seems like Niksen isn't as widespread as say hygge. and the author is almost trying to make it happen more. I could be completely wrong, but that is just the way I feel about it.

"Americans might be to focused on happiness which actually makes them miserable." I double underlined this sentence. When I sat down to read this ARC, I had to pause the podcast I was listening too and mute the TV. I think I could use a little NIKS in my life. This is a very interesting read and brings to light many comparisons between different countries and regions. I particularly liked chapter 3 , "why is Niksen so hard?" It's a good focus area, where does all the busyness come from?

I enjoyed this ARC from NetGalley and look forward to purchasing a copy for my personal home library.

I enjoyed Niksen: Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing by Olga Mecking. This book is a light read and offers ideas to increase productivity and overall well-being by intentionally taking real breaks, doing nothing. I was interested in reading this book because I work with Dutch colleagues and have been to the Netherlands many times over the years. The author is from elsewhere but has been living in the Netherlands for 10 years -- long enough to have really experienced everyday life but still with some outside perspective. I liked that aspect of the book a lot, hearing about people living and working in The Netherlands. Perhaps those like me who have no problems sitting on a bench doing nothing in particular will feel the ideas in the book are not too innovative and really common sense. And on the other hand those who really have no patience for wasting time may not give the ideas in the book credibility. It’s probably best suited for those who appreciate breaks but have let themselves get too busy or have gotten caught up in mindless addictions like phone scrolling. This is a cozy read that will remind you of the benefits of taking time off and share some insights into the Dutch culture. I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book on Net Galley, all opinions are my own.

Self help and wellness books are not my usual genre but after a particularly stressful couple of weeks, niksen sounded like something I could use.
Niksen is the Dutch art of doing nothing. It’s not being lazy, it’s allowing yourself to let your mind roam while not focusing on your long to-do list.
This book made me realize that in society, especially in America, being busy is a status symbol. If you’re always busy, then you must be important or very popular! We place a high value on how long you stay at work, not the actual work you do.
Overall, I don’t know that this book was for me and that’s ok. Niksen isn’t for everyone but it is interesting. I need to carve out some time in my day to sit on the couch and try this. The premise is that doing nothing a few times a day or week will make you happier and more productive-but not overly so. Don’t be weird, be normal.

I always admired the Dutch way of life and how happy the Danes were. This book give an insight in their life and practices that helps them find happiness in the littlest things around.

The book has such colorful artwork and is a self help book. I love the practice of Nilsen- doing something without a purpose like taking a stroll, enjoying music or just staring out of the window..

It talks about the benefit of Nilsen. Much needed in todays busy life. Surely recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an e ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A really interesting topic, and a great launching point from Jenny Odell’s How to Do Nothing, which is frequently mentioned throughout the book. Though it is a really well laid-out book, some of its ideas are more difficult in practice. For example, the Danish principle of “just be normal” seems practical, but what about for those that exist outside of normality? And, on occasion, though the author tries to make the argument that productivity should not be a central goal, she still frames productivity as an essential part of niks.

Oh how I adore this colorful guide to doing nothing, a practice the Dutch have perfected. The cover and illustrations are lively, the message reassuring and perhaps even lifesaving in this time of high anxiety. To wit: Doing less can make you happier, healthier and even more productive. Backed by scientific evidence and brimming with helpful examples, NIKSEN receives my highest marks!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 12 Jan 2021

Thanks to the author, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#Niksen #NetGalley

Niksen: Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing is a new self-help book that offers an alternative to mindfulness and other wellbeing trends by suggesting that you can become happier… by simply doing nothing. But what does “doing nothing” actually mean?

« Niksen » is a Dutch verb which comes from the word “niks” which means “nothing”. In the first chapter of the book (which counts six), Olga Mecking explains that this term got popularized in 2017 by reporter Gebke Verhoeven in an article entitled “Niksen Is the New Mindfulness”, published in the Dutch magazine Gezond Nu. Intrigued, Mecking, who works as a journalist and translator, published an article almost two years later in The New York Times exploring the concept further. The positive feedback she received to this article made her want to write a book.

“Niksen” should not be confused with mindfulness (being in the present moment) or with procrastinating (e.g. scrolling through a news feed on social media to avoid doing unpleasant work). Essentially, niksen means “doing something without a purpose, like staring out of a window, hanging out, or listening to music.” The benefit of this practice? Instead of “wasting” time, it lets your mind wander without purpose, thereby allowing you to relax while boosting your energy and creativity.

If the basic message is quite convincing, it’s not obvious that it warrants 256 pages. Chapter 2, which claims to show how the concept is uniquely Dutch, is full of clichés and primarily relies on anecdotal evidence, with the author quoting friends and her Dutch teacher to prove her point. Chapter 3 on “busyness” is also a bit weak, insisting on already commonplace ideas, such as the fact that productivity does not depend on the number of hours spent in the office.

The subsequent chapters are, fortunately, more interesting. Chapter 5, in particular, contains concrete practical tips for mastering the art of “niksen” at work, at home and in public. It suggests, for instance, that some hobbies like knitting or colouring books are particularly prone to allowing one’s thoughts to wander free.

The good thing about Mecking’s approach is that she offers a no-nonsense way to reduce your stress level without feeling that you need to adopt a strong life discipline – and without promising that you will hold the permanent solution to a happy and healthy life. That said, some of the most interesting considerations in the book do not come from Mecking herself but from the many other self-help authors she quotes, including her favourite: Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project. One could thus see the book as an easy introduction to recent trends around wellbeing – with a useful bibliography at the end helping readers explore further those ideas that appeal the most to them.

The book, to be officially released in English on 12 January 2021, is available in Dutch since March 2020.

[I will hold on publishing my review until January 2021 - as required by the publisher, hence the absence of links]

Light reading for those who want to be expert in doing nothing at all. Olga will explain to you how to do it. Doing nothing is not the same as procrastination, being lazy, daydreaming, or in zen. And what's the difference then? Yeah, you can read this book. She uses examples from the way Dutch people live.

Besides the topic, I really like the cover and the illustrations inside.

Very interesting read, especially after the popularity of hygge in the last several years. I may just have to move to Denmark!

Lovely little book describing the Dutch tradition of Niksen (the unique are of both doing nothing and loving that one is doing nothing). I particularly appreciated the author's efforts to place Niksen within a range of other recent wellness and mindfulness trends (hygge, Swedish Death Cleaning, KonMarie, etc).

Niksen by Olga Mecking. Well written, interesting look into the Dutch culture and lifestyle.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I am so glad that I have picked up this book to read. This is the book that we all need to read in overwhelming times like these as this book gives you hope and permission to spend some guilt free relaxing time throughout the day without any purpose or goa. We all need that break time, our kids need it and our colleagues. So does our parents and friends too. This book nudges you to take the much needed rest in an otherwise autopilot, hyper ambitious life while convincing you that it is perfectly OK to do so. With lessons and observations from the life and culture of Danish people, this book is well researched and well written manifesto on how to welcome niksen into your life and realize it's benefits. I would recommend this to everyone who wants to take a fresh look at their lifestyle, welcome change and make their days more comfortable and fulfilling.

This is a beautiful book about the art of literally doing nothing. In our busy world I think everyone could get something from this book. It is well written and explains the concept in an informational way. I think this could be a very helpful book in our all to hectic world.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Niksen is an art which of I've never heard of before. I know personally I could not do it. Not because I feel like I can't accomplish it. Not because I'm too "busy". But because I like keeping busy. Keeping busy keeps me sane. I know the book says it is for everyone but that is not true for some.

The author however did introduce the very interesting topic and I think it is interesting how I never hear about it until now. The author brings each topic and subtopic out in a very smooth way and there is not a whole lo of word traffic associated with it. She brings her own experience out of it rather than JUST teach what Niksen is.

I am fascinated by Niksen the
Dutch art of doing nothing.Literally doing nothing taking time to sit relax not worry about work cooking cleaning just sit.The author shows us why the Dutch people are happy take things in stride.I really enjoyed reading about this technique the author writes in a conversational style like one of your girlfriends sharing her life issues her coping skills with you.I willbe trying to incorporate Niksen in my life and as someone born in New York where we never stop moving I’m looking forward to moments of doing nothing.#netgalley#houghtinmiflen