Aging Velocity

There is something intrinsic regarding time. Or, at the very least, something very peculiar regarding our perceptions of it.

It was Einstein who first explained the concept of the relation between time and space with General relativity: a unified theory statement regarding geometry in terms of space and time. Without getting too bogged down with quantum physics, Einstein explained that the faster one travels through space is inversely proportional with the passage of time. In short time slows, or accelerates, relative to an individual’s perspective. This is the basic definition of time dilation — something that science fiction literature and film have used as their Macguffin for decades. However, while this maybe true in the world of quantum physics — try telling that to anyone over the age of fifty. It is why as I’ve gotten older I’ve proposed an addendum to this unified theory that has been the foundation of modern physics for more than a century: the older one gets the passage of time accelerates. I call it Aging Velocity.

It is for this reason that I find it unfathomable that we are now passed the midpoint of July, and at the time of this writing, there are 23 weeks, or if you prefer, 162 days remaining in the year. That may or may not seem like a lot, but then when you realize February 10 was 162 days ago, there is a natural reflection of how rapidly all the time has melted away like the winter snow. Remember when it felt like winter would never end? I do, and it seems like the calendar was filled with planning for events that are now receding quickly in the rear view mirror. When besieged by a seemingly never ending wave of snow and biting temperatures, I was looking forward to my April vacation in Florida. It was a marker on the calendar that couldn’t come fast enough. Now it’s four months ago – and retreating rapidly. Amazing.

This thought exercise was prompted by planning out my calendar for November and December, and to a certain extent, June 2026. Yes, I do have to occasionally plan that far out in advance. In fact, I even have the second week of July 2026 currently booked, and I can’t help wonder how soon before that becomes a distant memory? Aging velocity. It seems the older we get, the faster the passage of time. There can be no other explanation. When one reaches middle age this becomes more noticeable. Perhaps, even less worthy, a subconscious realization that there are fewer days in front than there are behind.

Recently I returned from Montréal – truly one of the best North American cities; second only to Chicago in terms of cultural depth and architecture. They are two very different cities, mind you, but they have a unique value and charm all of their own. It is a business trip I look forward to each July and, like my April trip to Florida, which had been a target on the calendar that could not come soon enough, has now also been grayed out as a past event.

Perhaps there is a little bit of melancholy to all this? Until the bright colors of autumn begin to radiate, there is nothing currently on my calendar to aim for. There are various appointments and work projects that permeate my calendar and task manager of course, but these are markers are always there. The difference being that, post Montréal, there is a void of more recreational items. Even more specifically — travel. That likely won’t happen until the spring, and while I know it’ll be here quicker than I can imagine, all that remains between now and the first snow is work. I should do something about that. I’m a firm believer in working to live; not living to work. However, these gaps between travel events occasionally happen if one is not careful to book their next trip after completing their last. This is the trap I’ve fallen into, and if there’s any melancholy, it is for the simple reason of returning to the drudgery of being awakened by ghastly alarms for another work week. Fortunately, there is the notion of Aging velocity, which will hopefully make the period appear shorter than it initially appears.