Time Keeps on Slippin
Where did 2024 go?
In his 1890 book, ‘The Principles of Psychology’, philosopher and psychologist William James wrote that ‘the same space of time seems shorter as we grow older’. This is referred to as 'log time'. As we age, a year becomes a smaller fraction of our entire lives up to that point. For a 5-year-old a year is one fifth (or 20%) of their life, but a year to a 50-year old is one fiftieth of their life (or 2% of it) so it seems to pass ten times faster.
The bad news is time flies, the good news is that you are the pilot. Michael Altshuler
While there is no way to slow down chronological time, we can affect psychological time for our experience of time is perception.
In a recent study of 918 adults led by the psychologist Ruth Ogden, 77% of respondents agreed that Christmas seems to arrive more rapidly each year. (14% were neutral on the issue, while only 9% disagreed.) An Iraqi sample with the same question about Ramadan received a very similar response.
Why?
Children have many new experiences, and so process a massive amount of perceptual information. They have an unfiltered perception of the world, which makes their surroundings appear more vivid: time passes slowly. Adults on-the-other-hand have progressively fewer new experiences, our lives become more automatic and de-sensitised through familiarity. As a result, we absorb less new information: time passes more quickly.
Time is a brisk wind, for each hour it brings something new. Paracelsus
The key to slowing our perception of time is novelty. Try something new, learn a new language or hobby or change your daily patterns. Doing something new means your brain has to pay attention. When it pays attention, your perception of time is altered. Neurogenesis occurs birthing new brain cells and structures to hold new memories. Other suggestions include mindful practices such as meditation and gong baths.
This week I invite you to Make use of time, let not advantage slip. William Shakespeare
Rather than letting Time slip into the future, allow Time, as he grows old, (to) teaches many lessons. Aeschylus. It is never too late so Hurry up: your dreams are waiting for you, but they will not wait forever. Paulo Coelho
