It was a typical weekday morning, and I was already behind. Too many snoozes, coffee gulped down, a rush to the office. Emails, meetings, endless to-dos. By mid-afternoon I was jittery from caffeine and mentally drained. By evening the whole day had gone in a blur, and I couldn’t recall a single moment that stood out.
That evening, scrolling aimlessly through my phone, I wondered why some days, even whole weeks, feel like that, while others stay vivid for years. The answer lies in how our brains perceive time.
Routine compresses life. Novelty expands it.
Why time speeds up as we age
St Augustine put it best: “What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it, I do not know.” What we do know is that our experience of time is tied to memory. Think back to childhood summers, when every day seemed endless. Now think how a whole year can slip by unnoticed as an adult.
When we’re young, everything is new: the first bike ride, a trip to the beach, the smell of fresh crayons in a classroom. Each one anchors a memory. As we get older, routine takes over, and the brain, efficient as it is, doesn’t bother recording repetitive days. With fewer anchors, the years seem to collapse.
That’s more than a philosophical curiosity. If novelty stretches time, then deliberately seeking new experiences can make life feel longer and richer. Combine that with the proven habits for a longer, healthier life, and you get more years and more life in them.
Mornings: start with intention, not urgency
Instead of opening with emails or the news, take five minutes to breathe and think about what you’d like the day to hold. Not tasks: experiences. Then move. Exercise is one of the most powerful longevity tools there is, and even a brisk walk changes the day. Eat well, or if an intermittent fasting routine gives you clarity, use it. Find what works for you.
Novelty doesn’t need drastic change. Take a different route to work or listen to an unfamiliar podcast. A friend of mine learns three phrases in a new language every morning with Duolingo. It’s become her way of greeting the day with curiosity, and it’s fascinating how much culture is encoded in the way different languages express things.
The workday: small doses of new
Even inside deadlines and meetings there’s room for novelty and connection. Step outside on your break and actually look around. Talk to colleagues about something other than work: strong social connections are consistently linked to longer, healthier lives. Try somewhere new for lunch. And when the afternoon slump hits, move your body instead of reaching for more caffeine.
Evenings: close the loop
Family and community give us belonging, and longevity is as much about relationships as physical health. Make time for a hobby that stretches you, whether it’s an instrument, painting or the garden. Then wind down properly: screens off, a book or a journal instead. Sleep is the foundation everything else stands on, and it sets you up for whatever’s new tomorrow.
A life worth remembering
None of this means chasing grand adventures. It’s about noticing the texture of ordinary days: steam rising from your coffee, a friend’s laugh, the satisfaction of finally getting something new right. The Japanese idea of ichigo ichie, treating each moment as unique and unrepeatable, sums it up.
Next time your day starts to blur, pause and ask: what could I do differently today? Break the routine, seek something new, and watch your days, and your life, expand.
