Time Speeds. There’s one undeniable truth that stares anyone squarely in the face the moment they blow out the candles on their 30th birthday cake: time suddenly transforms into a veritable sprinter! Remember those childhood summers that felt absolutely endless, each sun-drenched day melting slowly like an ice cream cone?
Now, they seem to vanish before we even notice they’ve begun. Almost everyone over thirty will likely nod in agreement. The years start accelerating at a pace that makes you want to shout, “Hey, time, slow down! I’m not ready yet!”
Time Speeds, but why?
What’s the science, the psychology, the simple human experience behind this phenomenon? It turns out the answer is nestled within our clever, but perhaps slightly perplexed, brains. When we were children, everything was new and wondrous.
A train ride wasn’t just transportation; it was an adventure! A walk in the park wasn’t merely exercise; it was an exploration of a vast, green universe.
Our young brains were working overtime, diligently processing mountains of novel information, meticulously logging details, and creating a dense tapestry of experiences. Each day was packed with “firsts” or near-“firsts,” making them feel long, full, and distinct.
But fast forward to adulthood.
Our lives often settle into routines. The commute to work? Another morning “marathon” between familiar streets. A trip to the grocery store?
A predictable path through well-known aisles. Our brains become incredibly efficient at processing the familiar; they don’t need to build a detailed map or record every single step.
When everything becomes routine, the brain receives less new information to process and store as a distinct memory.
With fewer unique ‘markers’ laid down each day, the days start to blur together, and consequently, time seems to pick up speed. It’s like watching a film where many frames are identical, it appears to fast-forward compared to a film with constantly changing scenes.
And there’s another fascinating layer to this. While the idea of our brains slowing down as we age is a common (and somewhat simplified) notion, the perception of time is intimately linked to how our brains process and record information.
When we’re young, our senses are bombarded, and our brains are highly receptive, greedily capturing every visual impression, sound, and feeling.
As we get older, not only might we encounter less novelty, but the way our brain processes these inputs can change. Fewer unique, detailed impressions being laid down translates into less perceived ‘duration’.
The days might feel shorter because they contain fewer memorably distinct moments compared to the information-rich days of childhood. It’s not just that the clock speeds up; our internal clock, influenced by the rate and richness of our mental recording, feels different.
Here’s another point, both insightful and perhaps a little unsettling: each year, as we get older, becomes a progressively smaller fraction of our total life experience.
Imagine a 10-year-old child experiencing one full year, that year represents a significant one-tenth of their entire life lived so far.
That single year contains a vast amount of growth, learning, and new experiences relative to their cumulative past. Now, consider a 75-year-old person. For them, one year, while still significant, is just a tiny fraction, roughly one seventy-fifth, of their total life journey.
This proportional effect means that while the physical passage of time remains constant (60 seconds in a minute, 24 hours in a day, 365 days in a year), our subjective experience of a year’s length shrinks as that year becomes a smaller slice of our ever-growing life history.
It’s like adding a grain of sand to a small pile versus adding the same grain to a vast beach, its impact on the overall size feels different. We can almost feel like unwitting time wizards, watching years disappear in the blink of an eye!
And, you know, that’s precisely why our childhood memories often feel so incredibly vivid and bright.
It’s that same brain game at play.
When we were little, every day was an adventure waiting to unfold. These experiences were so rich with new information and emotion that they were firmly “recorded” as precious, distinct memories. They stand out clearly in our minds because they were unique events.
But in adult life, where routine sometimes reigns supreme, those days might not be as memorable.
The sheer number of novel impressions decreases over time, and our days can start to blend into a monochrome sameness, until eventually, it all just feels like one long, continuous work week or month.
But take heart, there is hope!
If you’re yearning to nudge time back towards a more leisurely pace, remember this: new experiences are your secret weapon.
Actively trying to step outside the confines of your routine and seeking out something new and interesting won’t just inject fun into your life; it will also “fill” your time with fresh impressions, making it feel longer and more substantial.
Life is meant to be an adventure, not a blur that rushes past!
Age? Well, who ever said that getting older was a bad thing? In reality, it’s simply a new chapter, brimming with opportunities that we can seize to keep time on its toes and perhaps even convince it to pump the brakes a little!
Yes, we frequently hear that the years begin to fly by faster, but that certainly doesn’t mean we have to surrender to this time marathon.
Aging is much like a fine wine, it bestows upon us the depth of life experience, accumulated wisdom, and a unique perspective. And with a few clever adjustments, we can ensure our days remain richer, longer, and more colourful than perhaps they ever were before.
New experiences.
Firstly, remember this crucial point: it is precisely new impressions that possess the power to halt the sprint of time! While in our youth we embraced everything with wide-eyed excitement, nothing fundamentally changes in adulthood, our brains continue to thrive on novelty.
So, deliberately seek out and discover new passions! It is genuinely never too late to pick up a new hobby.
Whether it’s learning a musical instrument, diving into the intricacies of a new language, or engaging in a creative project that sparks your imagination, these activities flood your brain with fresh challenges and stimuli.
Yes, we understand that jetting off to Bali every month might be slightly impractical for most, but perhaps a simple excursion right here in your local area, a weekend hike along a trail you’ve never explored, or trying out that restaurant you’ve only ever walked past could be exactly what’s needed to add vibrant splashes of colour to your daily routine.
Secondly, let’s be honest, routine is a necessary structure in life, providing comfort and predictability. However, sometimes it can quietly become a trap, a predictable path that limits the inflow of new information. Therefore, intentionally inject something unexpected into your everyday life!
Why not try establishing new, slightly unpredictable traditions?
For instance, dedicate certain days, perhaps calling them “Unplanned Saturdays,” where you commit to doing something completely out of the ordinary, something you wouldn’t typically do.
This could be a spontaneous road trip to a nearby town, visiting a museum you’ve always meant to see, or even just dedicating an evening to finally curling up and reading that book you’ve been promising yourself for months.
Small deviations from the norm can work wonders in breaking the routine cycle and creating memorable moments. The quality and depth of our human relationships also play a significant role in our perception of time. The more quality time we spend with loved ones, family, friends, partners, the richer our subjective experience of time becomes.
Investing time in meaningful connections and shared experiences is one of the best ways to build a treasury of rich memories that can effectively slow down the perceived passage of time.
Yes, it’s true!
Even in adulthood, we absolutely still have the capacity to create those same bright, vivid, and unforgettable memories that we cherish from childhood. These shared moments become anchors in the flow of time, making periods feel more substantial.
And if you find yourself feeling that time is slipping away faster simply because there seem to be fewer “adventures” in your life, it’s crucial to remember this empowering truth: we remain firmly in control of our own life’s rhythm.
Today, perhaps more than ever before in history, there is an abundance of opportunities available to us, ranging from diverse leisure activities and community involvement to avenues for personal development and self-education.
The fact that you have crossed the threshold of 30, 40, 60, or even more years certainly does not imply that life becomes boring or monotonous.
On the contrary, it means that you have now become an experienced captain, equipped with the wisdom and perspective to navigate and shape your time and life experiences precisely the way you desire. You have the agency to steer your ship towards new horizons.
Furthermore, science isn’t standing still in this realm.
A growing body of research is exploring how to support brain health and potentially slow cognitive aging processes.
Engaging in regular memory exercises, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and maintaining a healthy diet rich in nutrients known to support brain function are all proactive steps you can take.
An active, engaged mind and a healthy body work together as your best allies in the battle against the time sprint, helping your brain continue to form and retrieve detailed memories.
So, view age not as an obstacle or a marker of decline, but rather as a magnificent opportunity, an opportunity to delve into new areas of interest, to forge new and meaningful memories, and to craft a life that is richer, more engaging, and more profoundly interesting than it ever has been before.
Time may indeed be sprinting by, but with intentionality, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace new experiences, we can absolutely make it dance to our own rhythm!
Have a Great Day!
