My Discovery of Niksen: The Art of Doing Nothing.

Turning leisure into learning makes vacationing all the more worth your while. Discovering how natural environments can find its place amongst urbanization. (Humber River)

One of my most memorable vacations was to nowhere. By staying close to home and embrace the simplicity of doing nothing, I discovered the true essence of relaxation. The success to this vacation to nowhere was to do nothing - well to some degree. Nothing in the sense of no preplanned schedules, no social obligations, no fireworks or large events. With no preplanned schedules or social obligations, I was able to fully immerse myself in the present moment. While it may not have been the most exotic destination, this vacation to nowhere remains one of my favorites to date.

It's common for people to pursue far-away vacations with the goal of relaxation or adventure, but sometimes they end up feeling more exhausted or overwhelmed afterward. According to Brooks, forcing oneself to relax or have fun can be counterproductive. Telling yourself, “I will be refreshed and not think about work!” is bound to lead in the wrong direction (Brooks, 2023)." How can it be called a vacation then? This summer, circumstances forced me to stay home with limited work opportunities, leaving me feeling disoriented. Despite the unexpected turn of events, I found unexpected benefits in embracing leisure time and staying put.

"Funny enough, the word for 'leisure' in Greek is σχολή, or skhole. In Latin, the word for leisure is schola—from which we get the word 'school.' Therefore, the name for the place where we teach and learn derives from the word for 'leisure' (Brooks, 2023)."

And by August, embracing the nitty gritty of nothingness taught me the true meaning of relaxation and rejuvenation. I began to make lemonade with my lemons for it taught me that leisure is learning. It unexpectedly provided insights into myself. As I made the most of my free time, the sour taste of disappointment gradually transformed into a sweet sense of fulfillment.

Playing on my Android phone to produce beautiful black and white images from my kayaking trips. (West Rouge River)

Learning about Niksen, a Dutch concept of accomplishing tasks without active effort, was a revelation for me. Embracing this idea, I spent my summer without a detailed itinerary, allowing serendipity to guide me. Initially challenging, the art of doing nothing gradually became effortless. Instead of meticulously planning each day, I embraced spontaneity and allowed serendipity to happen. I explored pottery workshops, delved into fiction, and enjoyed outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking—all without the pressure of expectations. Niksen taught me to appreciate the beauty of living in the moment and embracing the unexpected.

I learned about agriculture while discovering new wine flavours at Niagara on the Lake. It was a fun excursion that was planned a day in advance.

Rediscovering the art of play was a liberating experience for me. As an artist, I often engaged in playful activities like collaging and capturing inspiring images with my camera, viewing them as research for future projects. However, this time, play allowed me to explore without any predetermined outcome. Plato's advice resonated with me, emphasizing the importance of education through play rather than compulsion. This summer, I embraced a more relaxed approach to learning, free from expectations or deadlines. Doing nothing, found me joy in simply being without feeling the need to be accountable for anything. After all, I niksen.

References:

Brook, A. (2023, July 27). How to Have Your Most Fulfilling Vacation Ever. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/07/vacation-learning-leisure-happiness/674743/

Gottfried, Sophia. (2019, July 19). Niksen Is the Dutch Lifestyle Concept of Doing Nothing—And You're About to See It Everywhere. Time. https://time.com/5622094/what-is-niksen/