Dutch 'Dusking' Trend Helps Thousands Combat Anxiety

Imagine sitting outside for 20 minutes watching the sky fade from blue to black, doing absolutely nothing else. Sounds simple, but this ancient Dutch ritual called "dusking" is helping people worldwide find peace in our always-on world.

The practice, known as "schemeren" in Dutch (meaning "to be in twilight"), involves consciously watching day transform into night without distractions. Dutch poet Marjolijn van Heemstra revived the forgotten custom a few years ago and is now leading dusking events across Ireland, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

At a February 2024 event in Yorkshire, England, attendees gathered at a ruined castle to watch the sky darken. "Dusking is about looking at one point and seeing it fade," van Heemstra explained. "Trees are very good because they rise up for a moment and then fade away."

The benefits go beyond pretty sunsets. Research shows mindfulness practices like dusking can reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and build better self-acceptance. In our hustle culture where doing nothing feels forbidden, intentionally pausing to observe twilight forces our brains to slow down.

Van Heemstra shares a favorite example: a woman who reads interior design magazines at dusk. As darkness blurs the images, her imagination takes over, filling the spaces with shapes and ideas. "In a blurred sketch, you invent your own boundaries," van Heemstra notes.

Why This Inspires

Dusking connects to another Dutch concept gaining worldwide attention: "niksen," or doing nothing without purpose. Both practices remind us that rest isn't laziness. Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is stop producing and simply exist in a moment of transition.

The beauty is anyone can start tonight. No equipment needed, no subscription required, just you and the fading light. One person commented on a recent dusking event: "Love dusking, although I didn't know it had a name!"

As our screens grow brighter and our days grow busier, perhaps we all need permission to sit still and watch the world turn dark.