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Joy of Doing Nothing

  • Writer: Manaswini Nayak
    Manaswini Nayak
  • Jun 24
  • 3 min read

Let’s be honest. When was the last time you went on a trip and didn’t feel the need to post about it? Or sat with a coffee without checking your phone in under 3 minutes?


We’re not asking these questions to judge, we’re just as guilty. Somewhere along the way, the essence of travel shifted from presence to performance. From exploring to documenting. From memories to metrics.


But here’s a gentle reminder it doesn’t have to be that way.And that’s where the idea of slow living, and the Swedish philosophy of ‘fika’ comes in.


What is Fika?

‘Fika’ isn’t just a coffee break. It’s a mindset.  A ritual Sweden have long embraced, where you pause not just to sip coffee, but to appreciate the little things and bond with a friend, your thoughts, and the moment itself.


It’s about being, not doing.

And that’s something many of us have forgotten how to do.In a world running on urgency, hustle, and to-do lists, fika asks you to stop. Breathe. Share. Feel.

Why slow living matters?

You might hear "slow living" and imagine a hammock and not answering calls. But that’s not it. Slow living is about making space. For what matters. For what makes you happy.


It doesn’t mean quitting your job or moving to a cabin (though that sounds amazing, if you do). It means living on your terms. Not the algorithm’s. Not the Society's. 


Today the noise is everywhere. From the moment we wake up to when we try to fall asleep. Scroll. Work. Deadlines. Perform. Repeat.

We're always plugged in, but rarely tuned in.


Burnout isn’t just a workplace issue anymore it’s a lifestyle symptom. And the solution isn’t a productivity hack. It’s presence. It’s mindfulness.


What is slow travelling?

We’ve all been there travelling to tick off checklists. Wake up, run through "must-see" spots, grab  the perfect photo, and then rush through the saved reels of influencers and google reviews for the “best” experience and wonder why you didn’t enjoy it as the rest did. But what if travel was less about covering ground, and more about grounding yourself?


Slow travel invites you to stay longer, go deeper, and really feel a place. To notice the way the light changes the water. To learn a recipe from a local. To sit in silence and be okay with it.


At its core, fika is a social practice. 

Because another piece we’ve been missing is that in this hyperconnected world, many of us feel lonelier than ever. Slow living doesn’t mean withdrawing from others, it’s about finding the right kind of togetherness.


The kind where you share stories by a bonfire. Where meals run longer, fueled by stories and flavours, and no one’s in a rush to leave. It’s about finding people who remind you that you don’t have to earn your rest, or your worth. 


So, where do you start?

Here’s the truth (that you know too) when you stop chasing so hard, the good stuff catches up to you.

Ideas get clearer. Your body relaxes. You begin to notice beauty in the ordinary.

You start to feel like you again.


You don’t have to move to Sweden to practice fika. You start by choosing one moment a day to pause, really pause. Make a cup of chai and sit with it. Don’t scroll. Don’t plan. Just be.


And if you’re ready to go a little deeper, maybe take a trip that’s built for this. Not a vacation, but a reset.

Find a place that holds space for slowness. Someplace where nature is louder than your notifications. Where people love silence, hearty conversations, and community.


We know one such place tucked away in Himachal ;)


In a world built to rush you, slowing down is a need.


And fika? It’s not just a break. It’s a way back. To your thoughts. To your people. To yourself.



 
 
 

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