Why Time Feels Faster As You Get Older | Science, Psychology & The Universe Explained
Hi Friend,
What is time… really?
Why does childhood feel endless… while adulthood seems to disappear in the blink of an eye? Why do joyful moments pass so quickly, while painful ones seem to last forever? And is time actually as fixed as we think it is?
In this episode of The Expanding Soul, I'm exploring the science of time, Einstein’s theory of relativity, spacetime, memory, perception, and the psychology behind why life feels faster as we get older.
We talk about:
• The science of time and spacetime
• How gravity and speed affect time
• Why time is relative
• Why childhood feels longer than adulthood
• How your brain experiences time
• Why routines make life feel faster
• The connection between memory, emotion, and perception
• How to create a life that feels fuller and more meaningful
This episode blends science, psychology, philosophy, and spirituality into a grounded conversation about what it really means to experience time as a human being.
If you’ve ever felt like life is moving too fast… this episode is for you.
If you enjoy conversations about healing, growth, consciousness, science, spirituality, emotional intelligence, and the mysteries of the universe — make sure to follow The Expanding Soul for new episodes every week.
Love,
Kristen
References:
Einstein Online. “Does Time Pass at the Same Rate for Everyone?” Stanford University, https://einstein.stanford.edu/content/relativity/q411.html [https://einstein.stanford.edu/content/relativity/q411.html]. Accessed 7 May 2026.
Department of Energy Office of Science. “DOE Explains... Relativity.” U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsrelativity [https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsrelativity]. Accessed 7 May 2026.
University of California, Berkeley. “Why Are Tatooine Planets Rare? Blame General Relativity.” UC Berkeley News, 30 Jan. 2026, https://news.berkeley.edu/2026/01/30/why-are-tatooine-planets-rare-blame-general-relativity/#:~:text=Based%20on%20dynamic%20modeling%2C%20general,by%20one%20of%20the%20stars [https://news.berkeley.edu/2026/01/30/why-are-tatooine-planets-rare-blame-general-relativity/#:~:text=Based%20on%20dynamic%20modeling%2C%20general,by%20one%20of%20the%20stars]. Accessed 7 May 2026.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. “What Happens When Something Gets Too Close to a Black Hole?” NASA Science, https://science.nasa.gov/universe/what-happens-when-something-gets-too-close-to-a-black-hole/ [https://science.nasa.gov/universe/what-happens-when-something-gets-too-close-to-a-black-hole/]. Accessed 7 May 2026.
Wang, Jing, et al. “Time Perception and the Human Brain.” National Library of Medicine, PMC, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11336052/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11336052/]. Accessed 7 May 2026.
McGovern Institute for Brain Research. “Tracking Time in the Brain.” Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 15 Sept. 2021, https://mcgovern.mit.edu/2021/09/15/tracking-time-in-the-brain/ [https://mcgovern.mit.edu/2021/09/15/tracking-time-in-the-brain/]. Accessed 7 May 2026.
Wittmann, Marc. “The Inner Experience of Time.” National Library of Medicine, PMC, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4830363/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4830363/]. Accessed 7 May 2026.
Burkeman, Oliver. “How to Alter the Passage of Time to Feel Fast or Slow.” Psyche, https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-alter-the-passage-of-time-to-feel-fast-or-slow [https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-alter-the-passage-of-time-to-feel-fast-or-slow]. Accessed 7 May 2026.
Greater Good Magazine. “How to Feel Like You Have More Time.” Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_feel_like_you_have_more_time [https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_feel_like_you_have_more_time]. Accessed 7 May 2026.