Why does time feel faster as you age?

Posted to: Science

Ever feel like the years are flying by faster and faster? It's not just you. It's actually how our brains perceive time. When we're kids, everything feels new. Our brains are working overtime to process all those first-time experiences, making days feel longer. But as we age and routines set in, fewer new memories are created, and time seems to speed up.

There's even a theory for this called The Proportionality Concept. When you're 10, one year is 10% of your life, assuming you live to be 100. But when you're 50, one year is just 2% of your life, so it feels smaller by comparison. Combine that with how often we operate on autopilot, and it's no wonder weeks can blur together.

The cool thing is you can slow things down (mentally, at least). Trying new hobbies, visiting new places, or even taking a different route home can create fresh memories and make time feel more expansive. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can help your sense of time.