Time Flies By

As I write this, the first snow has fallen on the hills, heralding the impending arrival of winter and warning me that the end of another year is fast approaching. It seems like only yesterday when this year began, leaving me wondering where the months have gone. To me, it seems that each passing year is shorter than the last, almost as if time itself is accelerating. Milestones that once felt distant now seem to rush towards me and this swift march of time serves as a reminder that we each have a finite number of journeys around the Sun. As daunting as this may be, one question sticks in my head. How real is this feeling that time seems to pass quicker and quicker each year

First Snow on the Ben I - Ben Nevis viewed from Lochan Doire a' Bhraghaid, Inversanda, Ardgour

​Well, it seems that the perception that time speeds up as we age is a common experience, and it stems from a combination of psychological, biological, and cognitive factors. Put simply, while time itself remains constant, our interpretation of it changes over the course of our lives due to shifts in how our brains process and recall experiences.
 
One of the most widely accepted explanations for this is what’s called proportional theory. For example, to a 10-year-old, one year is 10% of their life, which feels substantial. To a 50-year-old, however, one year is only 2% of their life, making it feel much shorter in comparison. This proportional difference influences our perception of time, making it feel as though each successive year is progressively faster.
 
Another explanation involves how our brains perceive time based on the number of memorable or novel events we experience. In childhood and early adulthood, life is filled with “firsts” — first school, first job, first love, or first big trip. These novel experiences are more likely to be stored in our long-term memory, and because we recall more details from these periods, they feel longer in retrospect.
 
Daily routines and predictable patterns also play a significant role in the sensation of accelerated time because adults often settle into rhythms that involve work, family, and social obligations, which can become repetitive. This regularity contrasts with the dynamic and exploratory nature of youth, which feels slower due to constant change and learning. When days blur together due to monotony, months and years can seem to vanish quickly.
 
There are also neurological factors because, as we age, there are changes in brain activity related to time perception. Studies suggest that our internal clock, which is influenced by neural processing, may slow down as we grow older. This means that fewer mental markers are laid down over a given period, leading to the sensation that time is speeding up. Additionally, the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with time perception, decreases with age and so potentially alters how we experience the passage of time.
 
Also, as adults, we tend to focus more on future planning or present responsibilities, which leaves less room for moment-to-moment awareness. The more we operate on autopilot, the faster time seems to pass, a contrast to the detailed attention children pay to their surroundings.
 
Finally, as we grow older, the awareness of our mortality becomes more pronounced, often influenced by life experiences such as the loss of loved ones, health challenges, or reaching significant life milestones. This growing consciousness that the time ahead is finite may lead to a heightened focus on how quickly the years pass, amplifying the sensation of time’s acceleration. This awareness can also create a sense of urgency to accomplish goals or cherish meaningful moments, which paradoxically makes time feel even shorter because we are actively measuring its passage.
 
However, if you are feeling that time is passing far too quickly, you can slow it down by introducing more novelty and variety into your daily life. Engaging in new activities, traveling to unfamiliar places, or learning new skills creates vivid memories, making time feel richer and longer. Practicing mindfulness can also help by anchoring your attention to the present moment, reducing the tendency for days to blur together. Additionally, reflecting on your days through journaling or photography enhances memory recall, creating a more detailed sense of time and stretching its perceived passage. I wonder. Will time slow down if I get out with the camera more often?