You can actually change how you experience time – not by doing more, but by slowing down inside through presence and cognitive empathy to make life feel less chaotic.
The story
I used to think time was fixed – just something that happened to me. Then I learned I could change how I experience it.
Not by doing more or moving faster, but by slowing down inside.
In Chapter 23 of *A Practical EmPath: Rewire Your Mind*, I break down how presence, focus, and cognitive empathy stretch your perception of time. When you’re fully present – like really tasting your food or getting absorbed in a conversation – time feels more spacious. You’re not just passing through moments; you’re living in them.
Here’s where it gets interesting: cognitive science shows that when you’re deeply focused, time flies objectively, but those moments feel richer in memory. It’s like you’re collecting more experience per minute.
Cognitive empathy takes this further. When you tune into someone else’s experience – what I call Practical Empathy Practice – you slow down your own reactivity. You stop rushing through interactions on autopilot. Instead, you respond with intention. You see through their eyes, adjust your pace, and the whole exchange becomes clearer, calmer.
I call this “street empathy” because it works in real life – with your partner, your kids, at work. It softens conflict and builds trust because people feel you’re actually there with them.
The result? Life feels less chaotic. Your thoughts organize. You see more options. And even if your schedule stays packed, you’re not frantic anymore.
Slowing down time isn’t about changing the clock. It’s about changing how you show up.
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