Why Does Time Pass More Quickly As You Get Older? | Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam is a writer, author, speaker and an expert on time management. We are all familiar with the phenomenon that is time, it passes at the same rate for all of us, so why do certain people seem to have so much of it while some of us are left stressed and seemingly without a spare second? Let's remember that you have the same number of hours in your day as Elon Musk, or Beyonce. Today expect to learn why time goes so much more quickly the older you get, why you don't want more time - what you actually want is more memories and how you can track your time to maximise your happiness and freedom. Extra Stuff: Buy Off The Clock - https://amzn.to/31pw2KX Lila Davachi's Ted Talk - https://youtu.be/zUqs3y9ucaU Follow Laura on Twitter - https://twitter.com/lvanderkam Check out Laura's Website - https://lauravanderkam.com/ Check out everything I recommend from books to products and help support the podcast at no extra cost to you by shopping through this link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/modernwisdom - Listen to all episodes online. Search "Modern Wisdom" on any Podcast App or click here: iTunes: https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/modern-wisdom - I want to hear from you!! Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Email: modernwisdompodcast@gmail.com

Laura VanderkamguestChris Williamsonhost

Jun 10, 201958mWatch on YouTube ↗

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Make Time Feel Longer: Choices, Memories, And Intentional Living

Laura Vanderkam and Chris Williamson explore why time seems to speed up with age and how our choices shape that perception. They argue that time isn’t really lacking; it’s about priorities, intentional planning, and how we fill our hours. Vanderkam explains that our sense of time is tied to how many memorable experiences we create and recall, not the raw number of hours. Through ideas like time tracking, savoring, planning adventures, and respecting our future selves, they outline practical ways to feel less rushed and more fulfilled.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Replace “I don’t have time” with “It’s not a priority.”

Consciously swapping this language forces honesty about what actually matters to you. If a task feels misaligned with that phrase, it’s a sign you should deliberately make space for it.

Track your time for at least one full week.

Logging your activities in 30‑minute blocks over 168 hours reveals the gap between how you think you spend time and how you actually do. This data lets you adjust intelligently instead of relying on vague feelings of busyness.

Create more novelty and intensity to slow perceived time.

We remember firsts, challenges, travel, and emotionally charged events far more than routine days. Intentionally adding new or slightly scary experiences—like a Monday night salsa class or a weekend adventure—makes time feel richer and less fleeting.

Include your future and remembering selves in daily choices.

The “present self” seeks comfort and avoidance, but your anticipating and remembering selves benefit from effortful, meaningful activities. Ask, “How will I feel about this tomorrow or in a year?” and act in favor of that future perspective.

Design your leisure, especially ordinary evenings and weekends.

People who feel most time‑abundant tend to plan small, intentional activities—concerts, playground trips, dinners with friends—instead of defaulting to TV or mindless scrolling. Structured, social leisure is more memorable and satisfying.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

Everything I do is my choice. Rather than say, ‘I don’t have time to do X, Y, or Z,’ I say, ‘I don’t do X, Y, or Z because it’s not a priority.’

— Laura Vanderkam (quoting an interviewee)

When we say, ‘Where did the time go?,’ what we’re actually saying is, ‘I don’t remember where the time went,’ and that’s because we haven’t done anything memorable with it.

— Laura Vanderkam

We pamper the present like a spoiled child.

— Laura Vanderkam (quoting philosopher Robert Gręn / paraphrased)

People say they want more time. What they really want is more memories.

— Laura Vanderkam

A life of effortless fun is not memorable, whereas a life of effortful fun is.

— Laura Vanderkam

Time as a choice: reframing “I don’t have time” as prioritiesTime tracking and data-driven awareness of how we spend hoursWhy time feels faster with age: memory, novelty, and intensityThe roles of past, present, and future selves in decision-makingDesigning meaningful leisure: adventures, relationships, and weekendsSavoring and stretching good moments in memorySystems, habits, and aligning daily actions with long-term values

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