As Time Goes By
As we all know, time is immovable, a matter of fact. We cannot adjust the clock, the minute, or the second, but we can adjust the way we perceive the time that is passing us by.
Time speeds up as we get older if we consider the proportionality of time perception related to age. The older you are, the smaller one year is to you as a percentage of your life, so the years go faster and faster.
A year feels faster at 40 years old than at 10 years old because 1 year constitutes much more time at 10 years old. To a 10-year-old, 1 year is 10% of their lives. To a 40-year-old, 1 year is only 2.5% of their life. If you add more years, it won’t fly as fast.
As lifespans increase, one year at the age of 50 will feel longer for someone with a lifespan of 150 years compared to someone with a lifespan of 100 years.
Critics argue that the proportionality theory ignores the role of attention, emotion, and novelty. Cognitive psychologists believe that it is the memories and vivid experiences that affect our perception of time, making our lives feel longer or shorter.
How to Slow Down Our Lives Again
- Find new ways to create memories
- Look for novel experiences that engage your brain
- Challenge yourself to learn new skills
- Meet new people
- Try to remember your day as vividly as possible
Take time to smell the roses, as they say. Make time for some of the things you have been longing to do. Be intentional!
