Why Does Time Feel Like It Slows Down When We're Young?

Have you ever noticed that summer vacation feels like it lasts forever when you are a kid, but Christmas morning seems to fly by when you are an adult? This is because your brain records new things more closely. When you were little, almost everything was new experiences. Your brain had to work hard to save all those memories, making each day feel long and full.

Imagine time is a big pizza. When you are 5 years old, one year is a huge slice of that pizza. It is a big part of your life. But when you turn 50, one year is just a tiny crust at the edge. It still exists, but it feels smaller because you have so much more pizza behind you.

As we grow up, our lives become routine. We go to the same school, work at similar jobs, and eat similar foods. Because there are fewer surprises, our brain stops saving every detail. It glides over the days like a stone on water. When you look back, those years blend together into one long story rather than many detailed chapters.