Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing
I recently read the book, Niksen by Olga Mecking. Niksen is one of those words that does not have a direct translation to English, but Mecking describes it as “the dutch art of doing nothing”.
It does not mean reading a book or watching tv, but truly doing nothing. Maybe sitting on the couch and staring out the window or drinking a cup of tea with nothing to occupy your mind. I have to say… I am horrible at doing nothing.
I am a go-go-go type of person, always thinking about what’s next. This mentality burnt me out after four years of teaching. I left no space for rest between full-time teaching, volunteering, running afterschool programs, and chairing committees. I didn’t realize how detrimental it was to my physical and mental health until now.
In Helsinki, I have been forced to embrace a slower pace of living. For one, the Finns actively discourage work on weekends and encourage turning off your computer during vacations. Teachers relax and drink coffee in the teacher’s lounge.
Cafes open at 10 a.m. Takeout coffee isn’t a thing. People sit and drink their coffee.
Plus, my research efforts are not as demanding as a classroom of twenty-six kids. I get to make my own schedule and work at my own pace. I am not beholden to students’ needs. I do not need to make thousands of decisions in one day.
That all may sound nice, but it has not been easy. It felt like I was driving at 100 mph and suddenly yanked the emergency brake without warning. I came skidding to a painful stop.
We’ve tried to make our little studio as cozy as possible, so it makes doing nothing a little more appealing.
Of course, no one who is working full-time wants to hear me complain about my struggles with doing nothing. Doesn’t everyone dream of having days filled with nothing other than coffee shops, yoga, and books?
I am learning the power of rest. I am learning how important it is to do nothing. While it is a process and some days I am so sad and truly miss the classroom, I know I will look back on this year with fondness. I will always remember the year I learned niksen.
Stay cozy, y’all!
