Lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about how time seems to slip past me. The harder I try to savor every moment and slow down my days, the faster the minutes seem to fly.
This isn’t a new feeling: it’s been on my mind for years, usually accompanied by some anxiety. What’s interesting in today’s world is that this inner tension feels less about my appearance and more about my soul.
Recently, during a break between two workouts, I shared these thoughts with my trainer. With a cheeky smile and his youthful 27 years, he said, “You know, it’s usually people with nothing to worry about who think like this.” I thanked him for the encouraging compliment but explained it’s not about wrinkles—it’s more of a feeling deep inside.
Shortly after, a teenage boy walked by and greeted me with a polite kiss on the hand. We laughed out loud at the moment, but I also felt life was nudging me again.
This isn’t a one-time experience for me. Every fall, when new ninth graders start high school, I often get greeted formally like that. At 36, I could easily be their mom, but strangely, it doesn’t bother my ego. On my better days, I actually enjoy flowing with the signs of aging.
Inside, I don’t feel like I’m getting older—I feel like I’m ripening: wiser, more conscious, and I love that.
So why does time feel like it’s speeding up?
Psychologists say our perception of time changes dramatically as we age. As kids, summers felt endless: long vacations, playtime, and new adventures filled our imagination. Adulthood, however, brings routine: mornings getting ready for work, kids off to school or daycare, afternoon errands, workouts, dinner prep, and weekends filled with family time or rest. Days easily blend together, making the past feel like a blur.
This explains why, as kids, a new school year was a huge milestone, but as adults, we sometimes wonder how September arrived so suddenly. The richness and novelty of memories shape how slow or fast time feels. More new experiences mean more frames in our life’s movie; repetitive days make time speed up.
Where Did Summer Go?
For me, travel often reveals how fast time is moving. Many trips I booked at the start of the year, which once felt so far away, are already behind me, and I’m starting to pack for fall getaways. Meanwhile, I realize this summer, though full and meaningful, has passed in the blink of an eye.
A friend once told me that when experiences come too close together, they can blur together. And it’s true: when we travel every month, the places and feelings sometimes blend in my mind, no matter how much I try to be present in each moment.
Still, if I had to choose, I’d rather have a life full of travels than get stuck in monotonous routines. I don’t think you have to go abroad to experience new things, but I’ll admit I cherish those moments most when I discover myself in completely different cultures and landscapes.
Someone tell me: how do we slow down time?
One key is definitely seeking new experiences. Trips, family activities, a new hobby, or even a weekend getaway can help us feel life is fuller.
Another important factor is mindful presence. I often try to notice the little things: birds singing at dawn, the changing angle of sunlight through the window, or how my daughter grows taller beside me. These may seem small, but they’re gems in the everyday hustle.
Of course, living this way isn’t always easy. I often catch myself swept away by the rush of daily life despite many experiences. That’s when I remind myself: I can’t stop time, but I can fill my moments with things that leave a mark on me and others.
I’m not getting old—or at least, I don’t see myself that way. I feel life increasingly shows me how much I’ve already lived and how many opportunities lie ahead. Sometimes it makes me smile when a teen greets me with a kiss on the hand or when I realize I’m picking out Christmas gifts again, even though I just put away the summer decor on the terrace. I know these are reminders—signs that I’m moving forward, ripening, and carrying more with me into the next chapters.
