and can we get a redo…
my happy place…
This has been one of the shortest summers of my life. And then factoring in all the rainy days we had, one after another…I think we need..no deserve, a redo. Maybe a 3 month, 75 degrees and sunshine redo! What about you?
I’ve been thinking about how short this summer felt and have heard others say the same thing. And it started me thinking as to why the years seem to go by so fast now as compared to when I was a teen. The summers seemed to last forever and even the whole year seemed longer than the ones today. It seemed like 10 years would go by from one birthday till the next. Of course that was when I was excited to have a birthday and couldn’t wait for it to come each and every year. Now, not so much! Although I must say I am happy to be around to even have another birthday..
I remember Mom saying how fast the years were going by as she got older. I never really understood that until recently…as my days always seemed endless. Working and raising three kids at the time made my days very very long and tiring. However looking back on it all now it seems like it happened in the blink of an eye. Do the days truly go by faster as we age or does it just feel that way? And why does it feel that way? And can we stop it?
When we were kids each day was new and exciting, something different, even if it wasn’t a good thing, was happening in our lives. Our new friends at school, our first date, our first kiss….getting married, having kids of our own. All of these things made our lives so busy and full. As we age we tend to do the same things over and over. We go to work, we come home, eat dinner, go to bed and do it all over again the next day. Day after day after day… We stop having new experiences and life just goes by faster and faster.
We get to a point in our lives that we settle. And at first glance that feels like a good thing after all those years of doing too much. But is it? We go to the same places, we eat at the same restaurants, we do the same things. We fall into routines and it feels comfortable and we think..yes, this is what I want. But is it?
It would seem like all those routines we have would make everything perfect. But it doesn’t. The more routines we have the faster the time goes. And think about this, when we are 12, a year is a big percentage of our life, but when we are 60 or more…a year is just a blip on the screen of life. So what can we do to change this? How do we slow things down at this point in our lives?
The answer is simple…visit new places, do something new every day..something you’ve never done before…eat new foods..take a class, start a new business..one you love and that wont feel like work. Be more present in your life! Be in the moment! Enjoy life! Try not to live in the past or dwell on it…yes memories are good but think about them and then move on. Don’t try and figure out what the future holds. It will happen regardless of us stressing about it. Be mindful and meditate. Get out in nature and just “be!”
And so my friends,the answer is…yes! Yes we can make the world slow down. Our world….
“How did it get late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? ~ Dr Seuss
I feel like it was just New Years. The years are whizzing past.
So very true!
WAsn’t it just May? And isn’t the first week of September (where I live) supposed to be sunny with no humidity? So thankful for air conditioning right now., and for no big rainstorms these ast three or so weeks. At least a hurricane isn’t on its way, either. But if you find a way to slow time down, I hope you publish it in your blog.
Yes, it was just May Alana! And if I find a way I will definitely write about it! Thank you!
I wish you could have shared some of your rainy days with us here in dry California. The summer did fly by. And I always miss autumn living here–so I am kind of jealous that you will get to experience that soon. I guess a do-over comes with our attitudes and yes making each day special.
Thank you Beth! Wish I could have shared them with you…we sure have had our share of them…
I agree, have new experiences. It may slow down time but even if it doesn’t, we’ll be enjoying that time as best we can.
So true Karen! Thank you!
This summer went by in a blip! We were doing things, too, but it just seemed to slip away.
P.S. I could have done without all the smoke from the BC fires that kept us in the house for weeks on end. But then I figure we are SO much more fortunate than the people who are having to live through the fires in BC and maybe don’t have homes to hide in.
It sure did Diane! And yes you were fortunate to have your house to hide in!
Oh Renee I agree with you! My sister and I were just having this conversation, trying new things and not getting into a rut even as comfortable as it may seem, helps I think to slow down time a wee bit or at least make the now more.
Thank you Haralee! I am trying new things with this darn iPad! LOL..
There is evidence that the perception of time really does speed up as you get older–maybe with each passing year. I forget the scientific reasoning. I think it had to do with the percentage of life lived getting smaller as you age. Nevertheless, everyone I meet seems to agree. Being present, noticing your surroundings, and paring down the To Do list does help. Oh, and by the way, I am never bored!
Thank you Evelyn! I’m never bored either…even when I am doing nothing!
There is a song by Joni Mitchell made famous by Judy Collins. It is the Circle Game and it describes how life is like a carousel. As we get older, we put our feet down to slow those circles down. When we were 16, we could not wait to get a license. At 21, the right to vote. My last benchmark was at 65 to get that Medicare card. Now, I slow those circles down by doing things I enjoy with the one that I love. The summer is not long enough but the fun for me extends into all four seasons. You make of life what you want. Do not be hesitant to seize life by its ears and run with it. Neat post.
Thanks as always for your wonderful thoughts Andy! And you do have someone great to share all theses wonderful things with!
I retired 5 yrs ago, and haven’t been bored one single day. The days DO seem to fly by. Sometimes I wonder how I ever had time to work!! Trying new foods is fun, especially if they include chocolate in the recipe (lol) is and trying new restaurants is a great passtime.
And having the best burger and fries in the world, right Peg?
Yes! Would love a redo on this summer, but until we figure out how to make that happen, your suggestions are the next best thing! Think I’ll first try visiting a new place and then eating something new. I do like the way you think!!
Or maybe a new cup of coffee! Thanks Cheri!