An interesting theory on time

When a person continues to do the same old mundane routine over and over again, not only is your life boring, it’s an old life.

When you explore and create and adventure, sing and dance, you meet new people in the process, your time becomes richer and more expansive. I’ll go here!
USA Gundy

Recently we went on a 5-day holiday yet we felt we had been away for ages. It felt like a few weeks. We definitely need to try new things to make time seem to pass more slowly. Also when you suffer from depression, as I do, something new and interesting can dispel low feelings.

I find the days go by quickly apart from Sunday which is much longer than other days.
I can't find a reason for this.

When we have to do the same things every day, our brains become 'programmed' so that we do it without thinking. Forcing your brain to actually work on something new is certainly beneficial. I recently was doing the puzzles in a new magazine and could definitely feel my mind working. It was quite stimulating.

I think perception of time varies. The old expression, "Time flies when you're enjoying yourself, " is so true.
But when I was stuck at home with Covid last May, the days dragged by.

And years vary too., I find. This last year (my DH died last autumn) feels as if it's gone on for ever, busy with stuff and adjusting generally . But there have been years that have flashed by.

I can recall being SO upset as a child because my birthday is in December.

Nothing to do with Xmas etc but I was totally convinced that I had to wait longer than everyone else for my birthday!

Theexwife

Proportional Time Perspective: When you are young, a year represents a larger proportion of your total life experience, so it feels longer. For example, a year is 10% of a 10-year-old's life but only 2% of a 50-year-old's life. This difference in the proportion of time can lead to the perception that time is passing more quickly as you age

This is how it was explained to me many years ago
Makes perfect sense.
A year for a 2 yr old is is half their life.
For me, a year is the blink of an eye !

Einstein had a go at thinking about it too 😁

www.amnh.org/exhibitions/einstein/time/a-matter-of-time#:~:text=In%20the%20Special%20Theory%20of,on%20your%20frame%20of%20reference.

no time.

Theexwife

Proportional Time Perspective: When you are young, a year represents a larger proportion of your total life experience, so it feels longer. For example, a year is 10% of a 10-year-old's life but only 2% of a 50-year-old's life. This difference in the proportion of time can lead to the perception that time is passing more quickly as you age

I have been saying just that. It’s the only explanation that makes sense. We always smile when a young child talks about “all of my life”. But it is a perfect example of how we perceive time. Oh! those long, long weeks before Father Christmas comes with our presents etc and how those weeks descend on us now in a fast tumble. We have even thought that putting the decorations away is hardly worth it as in time they will have to come out again.

The school summer holidays seemed endless when I was a child. Nowadays the weeks and months whizz past at a frightening rate.

I went to a new place recently and time seemed to slow down, I think more holidays are a great idea

Aah that would explain why when we visit a new holiday destination time seems to slow down. When we’re at home with our boring routine it flies. Good excuse for more holidays !

I have always subscribed to the Exwife's interpretation of why time flys faster the older you get.

Yes, a day exploring, as a child, was endless and exciting. Now, a whole week seems shorter to me. Being outdoors helps - and any excuse will do - perhaps the little dog really needs a third walk?

MayBee70, you can change Christmas to the point where it's a totally new and different experience. My family aren't Christian. There are no rules:

I still do the big meal, but I do it early in December - and I do an easy version. It suits us all as I do enjoy cooking, travel is easy and shops are open.

I don't do decorations, cards or trees - haven't for years.

I give the adult kids money to buy 'my' presents for the grandkids.

On the 'big' day itself, I'm a guest at my daughter's house, helping out a bit - and playing with the kids (it's great).

So, having done all that usual frantic shopping, cooking etc. in the past - for decades - you can now plan to enjoy yourself, which is what you now deserve.

ah, this is where the *NightOwls' are, lol.

yes, when a child, a year lasted forever waiting for christmas, now time passes so quickly....

So glad you brought this subject up VioletSky.

I only work 1 day a week but it generally takes me one day to recover and yet my days and weeks seem to fly by.
I think there is something in this theory, as well as the Proportional Time Perspective viewpoint.

Time certainly is relative, I'm erring on the 'do it now' idea rather than simply putting things off and getting in a rut.

For me boredom is doomsville...I tend to become depressed if I get stuck in a rut.

Thanks for an interesting read.

Oh yes there is! I stopped celebrating it in 1979.

It’s why I hate doing the same things every year: I can’t believe it’s a year since I last did them. Trouble is there’s no avoiding Christmas.

Theexwife

Proportional Time Perspective: When you are young, a year represents a larger proportion of your total life experience, so it feels longer. For example, a year is 10% of a 10-year-old's life but only 2% of a 50-year-old's life. This difference in the proportion of time can lead to the perception that time is passing more quickly as you age

We use that calculation to explain why Christmas seems to come more quickly for us than it does for our DGC.
I’m certain that shops are affected too and that’s who I’m seeing mince pies on sale in September.

Proportional Time Perspective: When you are young, a year represents a larger proportion of your total life experience, so it feels longer. For example, a year is 10% of a 10-year-old's life but only 2% of a 50-year-old's life. This difference in the proportion of time can lead to the perception that time is passing more quickly as you age