As another year begins, the familiar realization settles in—time is moving faster than ever. The days that once felt infinite now slip away with each calendar page we turn. Days blur into weeks, weeks into months, and before we know it, we’ll already be asking ourselves, “Is it really almost December?” Each year feels shorter, life feels busier, and the chaos of responsibilities overshadows the little joys we once cherished.
Maybe it’s the constant distractions, the growing to-do lists, or the way social media makes us feel like we’re always racing against an invisible clock. As we scroll through highlight reels of others’ achievements and experiences, it’s easy to feel like time is slipping away. Oftentimes we become victims of doomscrolling, spiraling into a cycle of consuming endless content, and losing touch with the present moment. The excitement of childhood—when summers stretched on forever and holidays felt like pure magic—diminishes with age, giving way to routine, pressure, and the constant pressure to be more productive or reinvent ourselves each year.
But amid the rush, there’s one thing we often forget: the present moment is the only thing we truly have. Instead of mourning how quickly time moves, or placing pressure on ourselves to be as productive as possible, perhaps the answer is to slow down within it. To pause and appreciate the small joys—a favorite song on the radio, a sunset on the drive home, laughter with a friend. These seemingly insignificant moments are what ground us in the now, making life feel fuller, even as the years fly by.
As we enter another year, it’s important to resist the urge to measure time only by milestones and accomplishments. Rather, time should be measured by presence. Romanticize the little things—a warm cup of coffee, the feeling of fresh air, the way city lights glow at night on a drive home.
Life inevitably moves quickly, but we hold the power to shape how we experience it. Amid its rush, we can choose to slow down, savor the moments, and truly live—not just exist.