Please also bring sturdy shoes and a warm jacket, as some of the activities we might do require them. If you’re interested, you can go swimming in one of the many lakes in the area—don’t forget your swimsuit and, if possible, a large beach towel.
What exactly is NIKSEN? The Dutch word corresponds to the Italian concept of Dolce far niente (“the sweetness of doing nothing”). That might sound simple, but anyone stuck in a whirlwind of tasks, messages, and obligations knows the feeling of going in circles without making any progress. In this “hamster on a wheel” state, there’s hardly any room for creativity or serenity. Your energy is practically drained, and productivity stagnates.
For us, this week of DOING NOTHING doesn’t mean you’ll just be lying in a hammock, although such moments are definitely on the schedule. Rather, the point is that you won’t have to make ANY decisions. You let us know in advance what you don’t eat or would like to eat, and then you don’t have to make any more decisions from the moment you arrive at KULTURGUTLEBEN. You simply let yourself go, enjoying the fact that, for once, you aren’t responsible for anything happening.
It’s best to hand over your smartphone and enjoy not being reachable for a change. This, of course, makes your relaxation that much more effective. If you announce this in advance, or as a compromise are only reachable once in the evening for 30 minutes, then this must also be accepted by those around you. In case of an emergency, you’re welcome to leave my cell phone number with family members.
You can hop in my car and go swimming with me and our small group in one of the lakes, or just lie on the shore and enjoy the view. I’ll drive you there, and you just relax.
You’ll come along for a stroll through a small town, sit at a street café, and not have to worry about a thing.
After a leisurely, hearty breakfast, you’ll get a spot in the garden: a hammock, a swing chair, or a seating area with a lounge chair. There you’ll simply lie back, breathe in and out deeply and mindfully, watch the insects going about their busy business, and flip through wonderfully inspiring magazines until I come and tell you that lunch is ready.
This is how you’ll spend your days—or something like it—and truly find yourself.
You can simply enjoy the moment, consciously take in your surroundings, and don’t have to do anything with it. This automatically opens you up, and a wave of inspiration washes over you. NIKSEN is about finding joy in taking time out and giving your mind a break. This makes you more balanced and happier. Of course, you’ll also sleep better, since all the exhausting and sometimes unnecessary baggage won’t be weighing you down.
Perhaps after this week, you’ll decide to incorporate at least one NIKSEN day per month into your daily routine. It will lead to greater serenity and inner peace, and thus to a stronger immune system.
In addition to the experiences of the week, you’ll receive a guidebook from us. The tips in the book will help you escape your stress by listening to your needs and thus bringing more balance into your life.
At the end of the retreat, you’ll head home after breakfast and have Sunday to ease back into your daily routine.
Take the time to do nothing! It’s about time!
This event is particularly well-suited if you find yourself in one or more of these situations:
- Work-related stress: People with stressful jobs or high levels of responsibility.
- Need for a digital detox: People seeking a break from constant availability and digital overload.
- Creativity and inspiration: Creative minds looking for new ideas and inspiration.
- Need for rest: People who feel exhausted and need deep relaxation.
- Decision fatigue: People who have to make many decisions in their daily lives and need a break from it.
- Connection to nature: People seeking peace and relaxation in nature.
- Openness to new concepts: People who are open to the concept of “doing nothing” and intentional time-outs.
- Inner balance: Those seeking greater inner peace and equilibrium.
- Joy in indulgence: People who take pleasure in consciously savoring moments and activities.
- Awareness of self-care: People who want to actively do something for their own well-being.