Okay, Time. Slow Down Already. 

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I feel like I’m in the twilight zone. As a child, time seemed to move so slow. It took forever to get to summer vacation, and then it seemed to take forever to get back into school after summer break. We yearned for Christmas to come, to celebrate, and to unwrap our presents, but December 1st to December 25th seemed like an eternity. 

I don’t know about you, but now as an adult, wife, and mom, time has never moved so quickly. 

As I write this post in October, I know that I’ll blink and it’ll be Christmas. And then 2022. And then summer break. 

So what gives? Why does time seem to move so dang fast? 

Is it the to-do list? Is it all of the people to take care of? Is it the same routine, day after day after day? What is it? 

Yet, if I were to hit the rewind button to seven years ago, I was a graduate student in a one year intensive program bursting at the seams with homework, studying, research, and client work. I’d argue that I was WAAAAY busier at that place in life than I am right now as a wife, mom of two, and a business owner. 

Time didn’t move as fast then as it does right now. 

Why do I think that is?

Why do you think that is? 

Do you feel the same way? 

I feel that I will blink and my kids will be in elementary school, then middle school, and then high school. 

I already feel that way with my one-and-a-half year old. It seems like she was just born, that she should still be a baby, but she’s her own little person that keeps growing right before my eyes. 

I don’t think I really have the answer for why time seems to be moving so dang fast in this stage of my life. If you do, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

What I can share is how it makes me feel. 

To be honest, vulnerable, and raw with you, it kind of makes me feel scared. The thought of time slipping through my fingers without me even realizing it in the moment feels rather eye-opening to me. 

The idea of missing out, of truly missing out on something great is terrifying. We want to create that pure and authentic life that we so desperately desire to live. 

Will I wish that I would have slowed down more, taken in the little moments more, done the things that I’ve thought about doing but haven’t? 

As a woman, will I wish that I would have spent more time cultivating friendships, taking chances, doing the “scary” things, and growing as a person?

As a wife, will I wish that I would have been a little more patient, a little more creative, and a little more vulnerable with my husband? Shouldn’t we have spent more intentional time alone together? 

As a mom, will I wish that I would have taken more pictures, gotten messy and let the house be a mess, and had more adventures with the kids? (And spending way less time fretting about the stuff that really doesn’t matter and is just an emotional drain.)

I feel like I’m flipping the page on the calendar way sooner than I actually should be. But here we are, month after month, and time just keeps flying by. 

How do we make it stop? How do we slow it down? 

Or is there some greater truth and purpose to this time that I am not even aware of? 

Maybe the truth will be revealed slowly but surely as we continue to live each day.

To the rest of 2021: you’re gonna go fast. Cold weather will be here in the blink of an eye and we’ll all be celebrating. 

To the beginning of 2022: I know I’ll see you soon. Too soon in my book.