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Introduction
What does the phrase ageing and time conjure up in your mind?
For me, time is one of those things that is endlessly compelling. It has exercised the human mind – some of the most brilliant human minds – for millennia.
It is trivial to say that over time we age. Trivial but true. But the truth about ageing and time is much more than this trivial fact. Time affects us all intimately and as we age the way we are affected by time changes.
The concept of time first intrigued me when I was very young. The original Doctor Who series with it’s depiction of time travel brought home to my young mind that there was a past – a past that I wasn’t a part of. There was a future – a future some of which I will be a part of.
But I could never quite understand now – the present. Now didn’t last. It was always simultaneously becoming the past and slipping into the future.
When I think about it now, this realisation that there was both a past and a future in which I have no part was my first connection with my own mortality. I was, though, too young and immature to articulate or appreciate that.
There was a track on David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane Album called Time. The opening words of Time are:
Time – He’s waiting in the wings
He speaks of senseless things
His script is you and me, Boy.
Bowie is singing about the absurdity and inevitability of time. We can’t stop time. Our time is finite. We age and die. So make the most of the time you have.
In sonnet number 19, Shakespeare talks about how time will age a handsome youth’s face. But that youth will live on forever in Shakespeare’s verse. Knowing that we are not immortal, many of us try to leave something so that our memory lives on: art, bequests or perhaps a digital memory. These things we leave behind are called Immortality projects.
As you age, something curious happens: your awareness of time sharpens. What once felt infinite now seems fleeting. Birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones suddenly take on more significance, and you may find yourself reflecting more on how fast the years seem to pass.
It raises a profound question: Is time a human construct, or is it an absolute force beyond our control? This question, as old as time itself, becomes all the more pressing as we age.
The Philosophical Question of Time
Philosophers have long been fascinated with the nature of time. For Plato, time was a moving image of eternity, a mere reflection of a higher, eternal realm.
Aristotle, on the other hand, saw time as a measure of change—an intrinsic part of the physical world. These ideas offer contrasting views on whether time is something external and objective or a construct born out of human experience.
The age-old debate about time’s nature reached a new level with Immanuel Kant, who believed time (and space) was not something that existed independently of human perception but rather a framework we impose on reality.
In Kant’s view, time is a mental construct that helps us make sense of the world. This appears to contrast sharply with Isaac Newton, who saw time as an absolute entity, flowing uniformly regardless of human experience. Or does it?
It always seemed to me that both Kant’s subjective view of time and the objective reality of time are both right. Time must have an objective existence. Humans haven’t always been around to experience it.
But on a psychological level we all experience time differently from time to time – the old saying that a watched kettle never boils is an example of psychological time. Henri Bergson wrote about psychological time. Time as we actually experience it he called real duration (durée réelle).
As you age, this philosophical puzzle becomes more personal. You may start to question whether time is something you create through memories, plans, and reflections, or whether it’s an unyielding force that shapes your life without your control.
Ageing, with its natural markers—birthdays, achievements, losses—forces you to engage with these deep questions. In many ways, it’s this confrontation with time that makes ageing such a profound experience.
Psychological Perspectives on Time and Ageing
Beyond philosophy, psychology offers fascinating insights into how our perception of time changes with age. This is what Henri Bergson was talking about.
As a child, time seems endless, with summer holidays lasting forever and each day feeling like an adventure. Yet as an adult, the years seem to fly by, often blending together.
This phenomenon is known as the time compression effect, where the years feel as though they are speeding up as we grow older. One reason for this lies in how we process experiences.
When we’re young, everything is new—our brains are constantly taking in fresh information and forming new memories, making time feel stretched. As we age, routine takes over, and the novelty of experiences diminishes. Days blend into one another, making time seem to accelerate.
Additionally, the “future time perspective” theory, developed by psychologist Laura Carstensen, explains that as we age, we become more focused on emotionally meaningful experiences, rather than long-term goals.
With fewer years ahead than behind, you may feel more urgency to invest in relationships and activities that bring immediate joy or fulfilment. This shift in priorities further alters your perception of time, as you become more attuned to the present and less concerned with the distant future.
Time and Mortality
One of the most significant psychological shifts as you age is the growing awareness of mortality. The ticking clock becomes more noticeable, and with it, the realisation that time is finite.
This awareness can trigger anxiety, but it can also provide clarity and purpose.
Terror Management Theory, developed by Ernest Becker, suggests that much of human behaviour is motivated by a fear of death. As you grow older, this fear becomes harder to ignore, and the limited nature of time becomes more apparent.
In response, many people begin to search for ways to leave a mark on the world, whether through raising a family, pursuing creative projects, or contributing to their community.
These efforts are often referred to as immortality projects—attempts to create something that will outlast your physical existence. Whether it’s writing a book, planting a garden, or passing on traditions to the next generation, these projects offer a way to transcend the limits of time.
The awareness of time’s finiteness also intensifies the search for meaning. As the years pass, you may find yourself reflecting more deeply on the legacy you want to leave behind. It’s this awareness of mortality that can drive people to find purpose and meaning in the time they have left, turning what might seem like a daunting reality into an opportunity for growth and fulfilment.
Cultural Attitudes Toward Time and Ageing
The way we view time and ageing is shaped by the culture we live in. In many Western cultures, time is often seen as something to be managed and controlled. The phrase “time is money” reveals how deeply ingrained this mindset is, with youth often being equated with productivity and ageing with a loss of value.
This perspective can make ageing feel like a race against time, where every wrinkle and grey hair is a reminder of dwindling opportunities.
However, not all cultures view time and ageing this way. In many Eastern philosophies, particularly Buddhism and Taoism, time is seen as cyclical rather than linear. Ageing is embraced as part of the natural flow of life, and older individuals are often revered for their wisdom and experience.
In these cultures, there is less focus on fighting time and more on accepting it as a part of life’s rhythm. This acceptance brings a sense of peace and detachment from the fear of time’s passage. It’s an approach that can be deeply comforting, especially in a world that often feels obsessed with youth and productivity.
The rise of mindfulness practices in the West reflects a growing desire to reconnect with a more present-centred view of time.
As technology speeds up our lives, many people—young and old alike—are seeking ways to slow down and live more fully in the present moment. This shift mirrors the wisdom of ageing, where a greater focus on the “now” often replaces long-term planning.
Ageing, Time, and the Body
Of course, time’s passage isn’t just a philosophical or psychological experience—it’s also a physical one. Your body is perhaps the most visible reminder of time’s progression. Wrinkles, grey hair, and the slowing down of physical abilities are all markers of the body’s biological clock.
On a cellular level, the ageing process is governed by the shortening of telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that wear down over time. This process, while a natural part of ageing, can feel like time itself is imprinted on your very being.
These physical changes can prompt deeper existential reflection. The ageing body, once a symbol of youth and vitality, becomes a reminder of time’s relentless march forward. But this doesn’t have to be a source of despair. Many people find that ageing brings a greater appreciation for their body, flaws and all. It’s a journey of reconciling your inner sense of self with the outward signs of ageing.
Time as a Source of Wisdom and Acceptance
While ageing brings a heightened awareness of time, it also offers something invaluable: perspective. As you age, you gain wisdom, and with that wisdom often comes a different relationship with time.
No longer a source of anxiety, time becomes something to cherish. Instead of worrying about the future, you may find yourself placing greater value on the present moment.
Carl Jung believed that ageing opens the door to deeper self-understanding, a process he called individuation. This journey towards self-awareness often involves letting go of the ego and embracing the inevitability of time’s passage. It’s a process that can bring peace and contentment, as you come to accept the flow of time rather than fight against it.
For many, acceptance is key. Buddhist philosophy teaches that time’s impermanence is a central truth of life, and learning to accept this can lead to inner peace.
This acceptance doesn’t mean giving up; rather, it’s about embracing the natural flow of life and finding meaning in the time you have.
Interestingly, those living with dementia offer a unique perspective on time. For them, time often becomes fragmented, with the past and present blurring together.
This shift from a linear understanding of time to a more moment-to-moment experience offers an alternative way to think about time’s passage—not as something to measure but as something to live.
Conclusion
As you age, your relationship with time changes. It becomes more precious, more urgent, and often more philosophical. Whether time is a human construct or an absolute force beyond our control is a question that continues to puzzle both philosophers and everyday people.
But one thing is certain: time, and your awareness of it, plays a central role in shaping the ageing process.
While time’s finiteness can be daunting, it also offers an opportunity for reflection, wisdom, and growth. Ageing invites you to slow down, savour the present, and find meaning in the moments that matter most.
In the end, perhaps the truth about ageing and time is not about controlling or understanding time, but about learning to live with it fully and gracefully.
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