The feeling that time moves faster as we get older is a common experience. While it may seem like a trick of the mind, this sensation is rooted in how our brains process memories, change, and the sheer volume of experiences accumulated over a lifetime.
The Psychology of Temporal Perception
Psychologists explain that our perception of time isn’t constant. Instead, it’s relative. For children, days and weeks constitute a larger portion of their total life experience; thus, time feels slower. Conversely, for adults, especially older ones, a week or even a year represents a smaller fraction of their overall lifespan, making it feel like it passes quickly.
Professor Cindy Lustig of the University of Michigan points out that this perception is tied to how we look back on time. A person who has lived for eight decades will perceive time as accelerating because fewer novel events stand out in their memory compared to someone who is only eight years old.
“When you’re looking back, the less rich your representation is, the more it’s going to seem like the time went by quickly.”
The Role of Novelty and Routine
Our brains are wired to notice change. The more new experiences we have, the more distinct memories are formed, creating the illusion of a longer past. This is why children, constantly learning and encountering new situations, perceive time as stretching out.
Adrian Bejan, a mechanical engineering professor at Duke University, explains this through the brain’s processing of images. Infants absorb a flood of new visual information, which contributes to a slower perception of time. As adults, the influx of new images slows down, making time feel compressed.
Sticking to a rigid routine exacerbates this effect. When days blend into one another without significant variation, the brain lumps them together, making the passage of time feel faster.
How to Slow Down Time (or at Least Feel Like You Are)
Although we cannot alter the actual flow of time, we can influence our perception of it. Experts suggest introducing novelty into our lives. Picking up a new hobby, traveling to unfamiliar places, or taking a class can create fresh memories that stretch out our subjective experience of time.
Bejan emphasizes that variety is key: breaking free from routine and actively seeking new experiences helps make the year feel fuller and more meaningful.
Furthermore, practicing mindfulness and focusing on the present moment can also slow down our perception of time. Laboratory studies suggest that being fully engaged in an activity stretches our sense of duration.
Ultimately, while we may not have control over the clock, we do have control over how we experience the time we have. By embracing change and living fully in the moment, we can make the most of every second.
