How to embrace Dolce Far Niente: The art of doing nothing.

We have all seen that reel, we have heard that audio multiple times on our Instagram feed, supposedly everybody wants to embrace the art of doing nothing or as the Italians call it Dolce Far Niente. 

The truth is we don't know how to do that, we don't know how to not do anything. 

What is Dolce Far Niente?

Dolce Far Niente Italian verb which means the sweetness of doing nothing (according to the Instagram audio) literally translating to pleasant idleness. It means to relax, enjoy and be free of all responsibilities, negative emotions, burdens and liabilities.

When I think of Dolce Far Niente, I picture my room with the sunlight coming through the window, relaxing on the bed with the book in my hand. 

I asked some of my friends. Most of them imagine similar things, relaxing in their house without worrying about work or school. 

Some people think Dolce Far Niente can be impressed on exotic vacation without worrying about things too. 

And they are all right. 

We don't know how to do it. 

We don't know how to embrace the art of doing nothing. Even when we are in our house on a Sunday afternoon we are worried about the work next day. ( We all know Sunday's are the more stressful than Mondays itself) 

You are thinking about the money you are spending, the time you are wasting, not achieving your goals. Wherever you are, wherever you go, you can not do nothing.

How to do nothing.

The art of doing nothing is not only an Italian idea, Dutch word Niksen stands for similar ideas. 

So how do we do nothing? 

Well, I can tell you, but you'd have to promise not to be upset, deal? 

Good, because the first tip is to get rid of all the devices. 

I know this tip is over repeated, rubbed off and overused, but this is the truth you have to face someday. We are so engorged in our phones and desktops that it's becoming like another limb.

We, me and you, have you occasionally keep them aside, give our delicate eyes and our nimble fingers some rest. And of course, with this digital age of hustle and grind slapping the reality on our face, we can not get rid of these problems forever. It is absolutely necessary that you remind yourself that you are more than a creator, employee , family or friend. You are a human being that needs to take time to listen to your heartbeat once in a while before it stops making that symphony. 

Moving on from existentialism, the next thing you can do is to just lay down till you are asleep. Try (keyword) to not think of consciously, push away all the thoughts. 

Think about not thinking. 

If this advice doesn't work for you, you can read Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee.

This book talks about the reason why we can't do nothing, the psychology behind our inability to relax and let go in the first part. In the second part, it tells you how to get your life back, without being broke and disconnected from society and being lost. 

 How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell. 

This is another book I am reading. This is from an advanced reading syllabus, but excellent in puting the point across. Our attention span is getting smaller by the 6-second, and there are things we can do to get it back. This book so far has reflected on that idea. 

Now if you don't have time to read big books, Autopilot: The Art & Science of Doing Nothing by Andrew Smart is a collection of short essays that you must read to cultivate Dolce Far Niente. 

 

Niksen: The Dutch Art of Doing Nothing by Annette Lavrijsen and The Lost Art of Doing Nothing: How the Dutch Unwind with Nikse by Maartje Willems are two more books focussing on dutch philosophy of Niksen, that you should add to your TBR. They advocate similar ideas, but from different points of view. 

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