Savoring Time: How I Made 2024 Feel Like a Full Year
Time feels faster as we age, but I learned we can slow it down by breaking routines and embracing new experiences. In 2024, I made small changes that turned the year into a fulfilling, long journey. As 2025 begins, I’m ready to keep living intentionally and savoring every moment.
It’s 2025, and I’m happy to share that the year that just ended didn’t fly by as quickly as previous ones. That’s a good thing. As I wrote in this post, the idea of altering the perception of time passing is something I believe is both possible and desirable—at least for me.
I understand there are moments when we wish time would move faster, like when we’re bored or enduring a bad day. I get it. However, as you grow older and settle into routines that repeat weekly or even daily, the sensation of time slipping away can feel overwhelming—sometimes even despairing.
Over a year ago, as we welcomed 2024, I had the unsettling realization that 2023, along with many previous years, had passed far too quickly. It felt as though I wasn’t fully enjoying them, as if time was water slipping through my fingers, impossible to hold onto. Then I learned something that changed my perspective: when you stick to rigid routines without introducing variety, time seems to contract. But when you make small changes—like working from a different spot, visiting a new restaurant, or walking a different route—your days feel longer (in the best way).
That insight transformed my 2024. I embraced change, filled the year with new experiences, traveled often, and learned a lot. I’m profoundly grateful for all of it. More than anything, I’m thrilled that I got to savor a long and fulfilling year. Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing; there were ups and downs. That’s life. Things don’t always go according to plan—we all know that. The key, I’ve found, is staying positive and responding constructively to challenges. Instead of getting upset or feeling hopeless, I’ve learned to treat adversity as a teacher and an opportunity for growth.
2024 truly felt like a full 12 months. Last New Year’s Eve in New York City feels like a long time ago—a year ago, no less. Now, as we step into 2025, I’m ready to keep slowing down my personal “time machine” and enjoy every moment. It doesn’t happen on its own; I have to be intentional, staying present as much as possible. That’s my goal, among others, for this year.
I wish you all a very happy and prosperous year. And if you can, try to live it slowly.
