The Radical Act of Doing Nothing: Strategic Laziness (Niksen)
- Pause to Play
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
Table of Contents
Introduction: When “Laziness” Was the Enemy
In my previous life as a leader, "laziness" was the enemy. It was a word associated with stagnation, a lack of ambition, or a failure to deliver. We were taught to optimize every micro-second of our day. Even our hobbies became projects to be managed, and our rest was often just "recharging" so we could perform again on Monday.
But since I pressed Pause, I’ve realized something transformative:
True laziness isn't a lack of character. It is a biological and psychological necessity.
When we label the need for stillness as "laziness," we weaponize our productivity against our well-being. Today, I want to reclaim that stillness.
This is the case for doing nothing — what the Dutch call "Niksen" — and why strategic laziness is a real form of recovery.
The Psychology of the "Idle" Mind
We often feel guilty when we sit on a porch staring at the mountains or lying on a forest floor doing nothing. However, neuroscience tells a different story.
When we stop focusing on external tasks, our brain switches to the Default Mode Network (DMN). This isn't the brain "turning off"; it’s the brain turning inward.
The Incubator of Creativity: Research by psychologist Sandi Mann suggests that boredom and "idleness" are the primary drivers of original thought. When the mind wanders, it makes subconscious connections that a "focused" mind simply cannot see.
The Zeigarnik Effect & Mental Closure: Our brains are constantly tracking "open loops"—unfinished tasks and unread emails. Strategic laziness allows the brain to process these loops in the background, leading to a state of mental "closure" that reduces chronic anxiety.
Active Recovery vs. Passive Distraction: Most of us mistake "scrolling" for resting. But looking at a screen is still "input." True idleness—what the Dutch call Niksen—is about being without intent. It is the only state where the nervous system can truly shift from Sympathetic (fight or flight) to Parasympathetic (rest and digest).
Why We Fear Stillness
For those of us coming from high-pressure environments, "doing nothing" feels like losing control. We have been conditioned to believe that our value is tied to our output.
When you first try to be "lazy," you will likely feel a sense of unease. This is what psychologists call "Action Bias"—the impulse to act even when action is non-helpful or even counterproductive. We act just to feel like we are in charge.
But there is a profound power in resisting that bias. To sit still is to tell yourself: I am enough, even when I am producing nothing.
How to Practice "Pause to Play" Laziness
If you want to integrate this into your life, don’t turn it into another "to-do" item. Instead, look for these windows:
The Window of Observation: Find a spot (a park bench, a balcony, a train window) and simply watch. Don't listen to a podcast. Don't take a photo. Just witness the world moving while you remain still.
The "Niksen" Moment: Practice the art of doing nothing for just 10 minutes a day. No goal. No purpose. Let your thoughts drift like clouds.
Forgo the "Side Hustle": Sometimes, a hobby should just be a hobby. Paint badly. Garden slowly. Hike without tracking your heart rate on a watch.
Final Reflection
In the mountains, the most important part of the climb is often the moment you sit down on a rock, catch your breath, and look at the valley. You aren't moving toward the summit in that moment, but without that pause, you’d never have the strength to reach it.
Nature doesn't bloom all year round. It has seasons of deep, "lazy" dormancy. And so should you.
The next time you feel the urge to be "productive" while your soul is asking for a pause—choose the pause. Your brain, your body, and your future self will thank you.
FAQ: Strategic Laziness & the Art of Doing Nothing
Is “strategic laziness” the same as procrastination?
Not really. Procrastination usually comes with avoidance and guilt. Strategic laziness is intentional non-doing — a conscious choice to let the nervous system downshift, so the mind can integrate, reset, and reconnect.
What if doing nothing makes me anxious?
That’s common for high achievers. The discomfort is often “action bias” kicking in — the urge to act just to feel in control. Start smaller than you think you should: 2 minutes of stillness is already practice.
Does scrolling count as rest?
Sometimes it feels like rest, but it’s still input. Your brain is processing, reacting, comparing. Real idleness is low-stimulation: no goal, no feed, no performance — just being.
How do I practice Niksen without turning it into another task?
Pick “dead time” that already exists: waiting for water to boil, sitting on a train, standing at a window. Don’t optimize it. Just let it be empty on purpose.
I’m busy — what’s the smallest version of this I can do today?
Do nothing for 60 seconds. No phone. No music. Just one minute of observing: three breaths, one sound you notice, one thing you see. Stop there. That counts.
Will this actually make me more productive?
Maybe — but that’s not the point. Strategic laziness isn’t a hack. It’s a reminder that your worth isn’t measured in output, and your brain needs stillness the same way your body needs sleep.
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