Time perception
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Distribute weekend chores like laundry throughout the work week rather than batching them.
This frees up your weekends for yourself.
one person who lived it
Make your time meaningful rather than trying to make days go slower.
This allows you to feel progress when looking back.
one person who lived it
- Slow down, relax, and enjoy yourself instead of rushing to the next thing.1
Use work downtime to create to-do lists and goals, reflecting deeply on how to accomplish them.
This time allows for deep thought and lasting decisions.
one person who lived it
Mix up your routine or do something new regularly to slow the perception of time passing.
Repetitive tasks make life feel like it flies by faster; using consciousness on new experiences makes time seem to flow longer.
3 people, independently
Try new hobbies you previously avoided due to lack of time.
It keeps you occupied and makes time feel like it is passing more slowly.
one person who lived it
Take on challenging commitments that last years to make time pass more slowly.
Challenging multi-year tasks can make time go by glacially slow.
one person who lived it
Track perceived time speed instead of output by rating each day from 1 (very slow) to 10 (disappeared instantly).
Patterns emerge after a few weeks.
one person who lived it
Mix up your daily routine and take things one day at a time to help with overthinking about the speed of life.
Mindfulness and variety help with overthinking.
one person who lived it
Regularly seek out new experiences or learning opportunities.
As you age, novel encounters become less frequent; varying your daily routine may help keep memories distinct and make time feel like it moves a bit more slowly.
3 people, independently
16 more on this
Avoid looking at the clock during work shifts.
Paying attention to time makes it feel slower; ignoring it helps time fly.
2 people, independently
Go out Friday nights instead of staying home.
It makes Saturday feel like Sunday.
one person who lived it
Set goals and pursue hard, productive tasks while reducing mindless entertainment.
To prevent years from slipping by unnoticed.
one person who lived it
Wake up early on Saturday and do something you don't like to do, such as gardening.
One person found this made the rest of their day feel instantly longer.
one person who lived it
Limit end-of-day reflection to one synthesized thought to force deep presence rather than mindless venting.
Unlimited space for venting becomes a mindless dump; limiting it forces deep presence.
one person who lived it
Include novelty in your days, such as visiting a new place, exploring a new idea, or having a new conversation.
Days with novelty felt slower.
one person who lived it
Rearrange furniture or lights every six months to convey change, lessen monotony, and diversify memories so time seems to pass slower.
It lessens monotony and makes memories more diverse.
- You might stub your toes.
- Family members may have trouble finding things.
one person who lived it
Avoid following a rigid daily structure and mix up activities in your daily life.
Shaping days the same way every day causes memories to blend and blur together.
one person who lived it
Exercise, specifically running, to slow down time perception.
It makes short durations feel longer.
one person who lived it
Complete your assigned work diligently rather than avoiding it.
Avoiding work makes time go slowly; doing it makes time pass faster.
one person who lived it
Travel to new countries or cities to create memorable details that stretch perceived time.
New places cause you to remember minute details, unlike routine environments.
one person who lived it
Try disc golf.
Most courses are free, it provides great exercise, allows meeting new people while social distancing, and is extremely fun.
one person who lived it
Combine deep focus with meaningful interaction.
This creates slower, fuller days.
one person who lived it
Study job-related skills or certifications during downtime at work, treating it like a classroom session.
One person reported being promoted shortly after studying for a certification in their field during such periods.
one person who lived it
Play Wiki Races to pass time discreetly at work.
It is fun, challenging, creative, and informative, while not obviously appearing as procrastination if someone glances at your screen.
one person who lived it
Construct short stories in your mind during drudgery, editing them daily to build a collection.
one person who lived it