This Is Why It Feels Like Time Speeds Up as We Get Older
Ever feel like years vanish while childhood summers lasted forever? You’re not imagining it—science reveals why our perception of time accelerates with age. Here’s what happens in your brain and how to reclaim slower, richer days.
1. The Proportional Theory: Why Years Feel Shorter
French philosopher Paul Janet’s proportional theory explains that time feels faster because each year becomes a smaller fraction of your life. For example:
– At age 5, 1 year = 20% of your life.
– At age 50, 1 year = 2% of your life.
Dr. Claudia Hammond, author of Time Warped, notes: “Familiar routines mean fewer new memories, so time seems to fly.”
2. Fewer New Experiences = Faster Time
Childhood feels slower because it’s packed with “firsts” (first school day, first love). Novelty forces the brain to encode detailed memories, stretching time in hindsight.
Adults, however, often operate on autopilot. A 2016 Frontiers in Psychology study confirmed:
✅ New experiences (e.g., travel) = slower time perception.
❌ Monotony (e.g., daily commutes) = time blurs.
3. Your Brain’s Clock Slows Down
Aging affects your suprachiasmatic nucleus (the brain’s timekeeper). Key factors:
– Declining dopamine reduces time sensitivity.
– Kids perceive seconds as longer; adults process time more coarsely.
4. Technology Makes Time Vanish
Smartphones and multitasking fragment attention, leading to “time compression” (Nature Human Behaviour, 2019). Scrolling = fewer memorable moments = lost hours.
How to Slow Down Time (4 Science-Backed Tips)
- Embrace novelty: Travel, learn a language, or take a new route to work.
- Practice mindfulness: Meditation anchors you to the present.
- Reduce screen time: Set app limits to avoid “time sucking” activities.
- Journal daily: Writing reinforces memories, making life feel expansive.
Key Takeaway
Time’s speed is a mix of biology, routine, and attention. Combat it by seeking novelty and staying present—your younger self’s perception of time is within reach.
Have you noticed time speeding up? Share your story below!
