Time Doesn’t Fly—Your Mind Does

Do you feel like life is speeding up as you get older?

Birthdays blur together, weeks vanish, and before you know it, years have slipped by. Many of us blame time itself, feeling as though it has betrayed us with its relentless pace. But what if the problem isn’t time at all? What if the issue lies in how we perceive it?

Time is not an objective experience but a subjective one, shaped by our mental state and perception. By shifting focus to the present moment, we can effectively slow down our experience of time, reclaiming a sense of presence and control.

Why Time Feels Like It’s Moving Too Fast

The Modern Rush

We live in a world designed for speed. Notifications buzz, tasks pile up, and we’re always rushing to meet the next deadline. Amid this chaos, our days become a blur. Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as time compression—when our routine-filled lives feel shorter in retrospect because nothing stands out.

The Role of Routine

Routines are efficient, but they’re also the enemy of vivid memory. Think back to your last truly memorable day. Chances are, it involved something new—a vacation, an event, or even a surprise conversation. Novelty activates your brain, slowing your perception of time. Conversely, routine tasks do the opposite, making days and weeks seem fleeting. All of a sudden you look up and you're 10 years older with only a handful of quality experiences.

Your Racing Mind

Even when you’re physically present, your mind often leaps ahead—planning, worrying, or replaying past events. This mental time travel robs you of the present moment, creating a false sense of time slipping away. When we aren't living in the present, we're skipping time we could be living in.

Experiencing a Fuller, Slower Life

Imagine living in a way where time feels expansive, where each moment is rich with detail and meaning. This isn’t just a fantasy—it’s achievable. The goal is not to slow time itself but to change how you experience it.

Presence: Fully engaging with the here and now.

Awareness: Noticing the small details that make life vivid.

Intentionality: Living deliberately rather than letting days pass in a haze.

How Perception Shapes Time

The Vacation Effect

Have you ever noticed how a single week on vacation can feel longer than an entire month at work? And then feel shorter than a day after you return? This is because vacations are filled with new experiences, breaking the monotony of daily routines.

Your brain pays more attention to novel stimuli, making time feel richer. Then when we see through our memory, it's condensed, sandwiched between the routine.

Rediscovering the Present

I use to crave the future when I was younger, I couldn't wait to be old enough to leave home and explore the world- or just be left alone. I lost days of my life dreaming of the future. When I was older I looked back and envied how much time I had when I was young as I look at my long list of tasks in my grey cubicle.

What I didn't realize was that in both scenarios I was looking at life through memory (the past) and dreams (the future). I didn't understand that both of those are created in the present. The only time is right Now.

The Child’s Perspective

Children often perceive time as moving slowly. Why? Their days are filled with exploration and discovery. They don't have due dates or timelines. They wake up and go about their day taking it as it unfolds. As adults, we can rekindle this sense of wonder by embracing curiosity and seeking new experiences.

While it will never be quite like a child's perception because we have responsibilities and goals, we can set some time aside to just be. Pet the cat, play fetch with the dog, admire the beauty of some art, strike up a conversation with someone, and anything that doesn't have a goal in mind, just be present and let the moment unfold.

Reclaiming Time and Presence

Reduced Stress: When you’re present, you’re not stuck in cycles of worry or regret. This creates a calmer, more grounded state of mind.

Enhanced Relationships: Being present allows you to truly connect with others. Conversations deepen, and shared moments become more meaningful.

A Fuller Life: Slowing your perception of time lets you savor life’s details, from the taste of your food to the warmth of the sun. This leads to greater overall satisfaction.

How to Slow Down Time

Ok, you want to try this slowing down time thing. What do you do? Let's explore some options you can try.

Practice Mindfulness Meditation

Meditation trains your mind to focus on the present.

Start with 2-5 minutes a day. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back.

Tip: Use my guided meditations to build consistency.

Break Your Routine

New experiences create a sense of novelty, slowing your perception of time.

Take a different route to work, try a new hobby, learn something new, or visit a new place.

Tip: Even small changes, like rearranging your furniture, can refresh your perspective.

Embrace Single-Tasking

Multitasking scatters your attention, while single-tasking helps you focus.

Choose one task and commit to it fully. Turn off distractions like notifications.

Tip: Treat each task as an opportunity to practice presence.

Cultivate Gratitude

Gratitude shifts your focus to what you have, grounding you in the present.

Keep a gratitude journal. Each day, write down three things you’re thankful for. If you feel the call, keep writing.

Tip: Be specific. Instead of “I’m grateful for my family,” try “I’m grateful for the laughter we shared at dinner tonight.”

Notice Sensory Details

Engaging your senses anchors you in the now.

Spend a moment focusing on what you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. Start with one sense and move through all of them once you get a sense.

Tip: Try a mindful eating exercise—chew slowly and notice every flavor.

The Mind as the Master of Time

"Time isn’t the enemy; it’s your perception."

By calming your mind, you control how time feels. This idea is supported by both ancient philosophies and modern neuroscience:

Philosophy: Practices like mindfulness and meditation have long been used to cultivate presence and awareness.

Science: Studies show that attention plays a critical role in time perception. When you focus deeply, time feels slower and more expansive.

The Power of Now

Eckhart Tolle, in his book The Power of Now, emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. He writes, "Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life."

Time isn’t slipping away—you’re just not fully here to experience it. By slowing your mind, you can slow your perception of time, creating a richer, fuller life.

Start today. Meditate for five minutes. Notice the world around you. Break a routine. You’ll find that time slows for those who choose to truly live in it.

I post a short guided meditation every evening on 𝕏 to help you experience this time expansion.