This week reminded me that the illusion of time speeding by often stems from not being fully present. When I’m engaged—whether in a conversation with an old friend or simply pausing to notice the crisp November air—it feels as if time slows, just enough to remind me it’s here for me to savor, not outrun.
Time can feel like a rushing river, pulling us along faster than we’re ready to move. But moments like this week remind me that it’s possible to step to the shore, even briefly, and appreciate the view as life flows by. Maybe the trick isn’t slowing time, but making sure we don’t let it carry us away without noticing the journey.
Looking back on this year, I can see how time didn’t move evenly. Some moments dragged on, like this past spring, when for weeks it felt as if nothing was happening. Other times, weeks seemed to disappear in a blink, especially during those busy stretches when I was doing the remodel or move to our new space. It makes me wonder—does time feel different depending on how present we are, or is it more about what we’re focused on in those moments?
And yet, when I reconnect with friends or create space for reflection, time takes on a new texture. I finally had a few long-overdue lunches with a couple of friends this week, and as we talked, it felt like we picked up right where we left off, even though it had been months, and in one case a couple of years. These conversations were a reminder of how connection creates moments that linger, stretching time in the best way. It’s funny how we delay these simple actions, thinking we’ll get to them ‘later,’ only to realize later comes much faster than we expect.
As mid-November approaches and the year races toward its close, I’m reminded that it’s not too late to create meaningful moments. Make the phone call, schedule the lunch, or simply sit quietly and appreciate how far you’ve come this year. The illusion of time slipping by doesn’t have to define our days.
Time will always fly, but perhaps our job isn’t to catch it—it’s to make the moments we do have count, no matter how fleeting they feel.
