You've time

Does it bother you to wait in line? Have you experienced situations where there's nothing for you to do but wait? How did they make you feel? There's a song called Alleviate by the Progressive Rock band Leprus. Now, this may not be your favorite type of music, but the lyrics are deep. It's about how we deal with time when we feel like we need to do something, anything, to get out of certain situations quickly.

If you have ever felt like you were wasting your time, welcome to our newsletter. We will discuss how emotions affect our perception of time and reflect on what to do with that feeling of being late or in a hurry for everything. This is our agenda:

?? Laundry gossip: You've time

? Chronoception: Time and your emotions

?? Affirmations to make peace with time

?? Content recommendation and what's new

?? Laundry gossip: You've time

have to do laundry in a laundry shop 2 blocks away from my house. It's a small store, usually empty by 2pm. However, sometimes I have to go on other schedules and get to meet the most interesting people. But one changed my perspective on something important.

It's a man of 80 years or so. He actually lives in my building, but we don't talk much. One day, I was in a hurry because I had to meet some friends. Before my turn, there was a teenager with a gigantic bag of clothes to wash. By that image, I knew that this was not going to be the usual 45-minute laundry day.

The other people around were sharing a common insight: the machine says it takes 25 minutes to wash everything, but it does take a bit longer. Or so it feels. After all, you're just sitting there, waiting.

So one woman complained slightly about this. And the older man from my building said: It's odd, yes. But look, everything comes out clean, and you can dry it right here. Then you just go home and enjoy your clothes' warmth and fresh smell. Isn't that what matters?

His words made me think about the concept of time. Every morning, I walk my dog around the neighborhood and see many elders. They usually walk slower than me. The same happens in supermarkets, banks, and bus lines.

Essentially, due to the aging process, most people have to do daily things slower than younger people. From my perspective, this was something to complain about. Why does she take this long to get money from the ATM? Why does he have to pay with cash and count every penny instead of using the card? Could this person move so I can pass?

Unconsciously, I am constantly in a hurry. But… Honestly, what am I missing? What's wrong with letting time just be?

Through this section of the newsletter, we want you to reflect on your own experience with time. Are you constantly chasing it? If you could be aware of those minutes you want to speed up daily, what would you consciously do with them after just letting them be? Wouldn't you feel less stressed this way? Think about it and support your reflection with our meditation recommendation.

? Chronoception: Time and your emotions

The questions in the previous section also serve as an introduction to talk about a fascinating concept: Chronoception.

It's the exploration of time perception and encompasses a domain within psychology, cognitive linguistics, and neuroscience. It delves into the subjective experience or sense of time, examining an individual's perception of the duration and unfolding of events.

Here's another interesting piece of data: Dopamine is the main neurotransmitter involved in time processing. Dopamine agonists (compounds that activate dopamine receptors) tend to speed up our perception of time, which passes more quickly. Essentially, the happier you feel, the faster time feels like passing.

But what about other emotions? Well, a study showed that fear makes time feel slower, sadness does not seem to make time feel slower or faster, and shame, in fact, makes time feel faster.

There is no single, uniform time, but rather multiple times which we experience. Our temporal distortions are a direct translation of the way in which our brain and body adapt to these multiple times, the times of life. Said Professor Sylvie Droit-Volet, at the Social and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory. Do you agree? If so, how are you adapting to the times of life? How aware are you of the power of your emotions in your perception of time?

We're sure you have read and heard quotes from famous people saying, Time is money, Wasted time never comes back, and so on. How about we change our perspective on time? How about you start making the most of the time you have? Including, of course, the time to do absolutely nothing.

Next time you find yourself in a hurry, let's say, stuck in traffic, waiting for someone, or for an answer, or for a really important event, ask yourself: This waiting time I have to endure, am I living it or suffering it? If the answer is the last option, try to actively choose to make peace through acceptance, and find resources to anchor yourself to the present.

?? Affirmations to make peace with time

Whether you feel like you’re on time to do everything you want, that time is going “too slow,” or that you’re not catching up with it, here are 11 affirmations to help you develop trust in the process of life.

Remember: Time is a human invention. Hours, minutes, seconds… You’re not running late, you’re doing your best, and you deserve to experience peace daily.

1. I trust that time unfolds at its own pace.

2. Every moment, whether joyful or challenging, contributes to my growth and wisdom.

3. I am present in the now, there’s nowhere else I should be.

4. I am at peace with the past, present, and future.

5. Time provides the space for healing, learning, and transformation.

6. Each day is an opportunity to create meaningful memories and connections.

7. I honor the cycles of life and trust that every season brings its own gifts.

8. I acknowledge the effort and time invested in my journey.

9. I am patient with myself and other people’s processes.

10. The past has shaped me, the present nourishes me, and the future awaits with endless possibilities.

11. I release the pressure of deadlines, knowing that I work best when I am calm and focused.

?? Content recommendation and what’s new

Meditation

New content

Music

Stories to read

All time favorites, new format! We're talking about our stories, which you can now enjoy not only by listening but also by reading! Revisit our three beloved tales.

Once again, thank you for joining us in this edition. We hope you have learned something about your emotions and their influence on your perception of time and that the long waiting periods and the slow, boring, or stressful days give a new and more positive perspective.

Send this newsletter to someone who needs to make peace with the way they manage time!

And see you next week.