The Sapient Space: Episode 1 – Slowing Down Time
Another busy day—my task list is bursting, overflowing with unchecked boxes and things that demand my attention. I sat there, staring at the screen, feeling the weight of time slipping through my fingers like sand. I glanced at the calendar—18th December. Just 12 more days, and boom—2025 will be knocking at the door.
Time flies, doesn’t it? One moment, it’s January, and you’re making promises to yourself. The next, December’s staring you down, asking what you’ve made of the year.
But have you ever wondered why time feels so fast these days? There’s a phenomenon called “perceptual time dilation.” When we’re kids, the world feels like a never-ending wonderland—new faces, new experiences, new everything. Our brains work overtime, absorbing every detail, cataloguing every sensation. But as we grow older, the newness fades. We fall into routines, and life becomes a series of repeated patterns. When there’s nothing new to notice, the days blur, the months vanish, and the years fly.
So, here’s the secret: if you want to slow down time, start breaking the monotony.
How to Slow Down Time
- Travel to New Places
There’s a certain magic in traveling. Even a short trip can feel like days packed into hours. Why? Because every corner, every street, every face is a story your brain hasn’t seen before. It’s like flipping to a new page in a book you can’t put down.
Think about the last time you stayed over at a relative’s place. Even if it was just for a day, didn’t it feel longer? That’s the power of newness. Our minds stretch time, savoring every unfamiliar detail.
- Embrace the Art of Mindfulness
Sometimes, slowing down isn’t about going somewhere—it’s about being here. Now.
Try this: next time you’re sipping your coffee, don’t scroll. Don’t plan. Just taste the coffee. Feel its warmth, notice its bitterness, let it ground you in the moment. Time feels infinite when you’re fully present.
- Learn Something New
Remember how long summer holidays felt when you were a kid? That’s because you were always learning—new games, new tricks, new ways to annoy your siblings.
Pick up a hobby, read a challenging book, or start sketching again. Learning keeps your brain engaged and the clock from ticking too fast.
- Change Your Routine
Routines are the enemies of time. Try walking a different route to work, cooking a dish you’ve never made, or spending your evenings in quiet reflection instead of on autopilot. Little changes break the pattern and give your brain something fresh to hold onto.
Time’s Slippery Fingers
The truth is, we can’t stop time. It’ll keep moving, faster than we’d like, but we can change how we experience it. We can slow down, take notice, and let each moment breathe.
So, as we close the book on 2024 and welcome 2025, let’s make a pact—not to chase time, but to dance with it. To fill it with memories, not just minutes. To travel, to learn, to be.
Because time only flies when we stop paying attention.
Welcome to The Sapient Space, where thoughts like these find their voice. Until next time—go out there, and make time slow down for you.
—Walter Brink
