04/19/2026
Embracing niksen as my own
My roommates in England were Dutch and we got together in Netherlands to visit their families and they came over here twice to explore the US. They know how to have fun and center everything around enjoyment. I didn't realize that huge of a difference til we met in New York - her parents biggest dream destination of their lives.
Exploring NYC with my Dutch friend and her family was mindblowing. Nobody rushed. Nobody cared if we didn't get to do everything on the sightseeing list. We sat down at a random Starbucks and enjoyed each other- joked, talked, relaxed. If there was a road block or exhibit closed- "oh well we'll see something else, doesn't matter!"
This is not common for us Americans. We rush we get upset and angry and frustrated and stressed when the littlest thing doesn't go our way.
Even on vacation.
I am so grateful for these friends to share and live niksen and show me how that can be done in the busiest fastest city and in their own country.
If you haven't been to Europe, your mind will be blown no matter what.
I remember when I first landed in Paris and we traveled down to Nice on the coast...
There were people every where just sitting around and enjoying relaxing playing in the middle of the day middle of the week
I was completely confused, don't these people work ?
Being busy is way overrated.
We work too much and too hard and then feel pushed to do more. That's no way to treat our precious selves. We deserve niksen as normalcy
We deserve to rest just for the sake of resting.
Everything will get done in its own time. Life is not a race or a competition
Instead of asking ppl, "you been busy?"
Ask, "you been happy?"
Basically what is your quality of life internally and how are yu enjoying versus how productive are you
We gotta release ourselves from the chains of capitalism consumerism working working working
And resssssttttttttt and ENJOYYYY
Niksen, baby
