Why I Travel (Even in My Own City) — to Slow Down Time in Life

Have you ever looked up from your screen, blinked, and wondered how a whole month—or even a year—just flew by? You’re not alone. As we get older, many of us feel like time is speeding up, like we’re being swept along in the current of routines, deadlines, and to-do lists. But I’ve found something that helps me resist that current, even just a little: intentionally building meaningful experiences into my everyday life.

This idea is one of the main reasons I travel—and not just across oceans or continents, but also within the city I call home. Whether I’m planning a two-week trip across Vietnam or taking the False Creek Ferry from Sunset Beach to Granville Island in my Vancouver base, I’m chasing more than just good food or scenic views. I’m learning how to slow down time in life, one intentional experience at a time.

Why Time Feels Like It’s Going Faster

There’s actually a psychological reason why time seems to speed up as we age. As children, everything is new—first bike rides, first snowfall, first taste of mango sticky rice. These novel experiences create strong, lasting memories, and our brains record more detail, making those days feel longer in hindsight. As adults, when we fall into the rhythm of sameness—same route to work, same desk, same dinner—it creates fewer “memory markers,” and weeks can blur together.

Micro-Adventures in the Everyday

That’s why I’ve made it a personal mission to break routine regularly. I don’t want to live on autopilot. I want my days to feel memorable, not just efficient. Learning how to slow down time in life means creating more of those vivid, sensory-rich moments that stick.

Travel doesn’t always mean a plane ticket or a passport stamp. Sometimes, it means taking a different turn on your usual walking route. It means seeking out that hidden neighbourhood bakery you read about. It means checking out a new matcha café even though you already have a favourite.

In Vancouver, Canada I’m constantly researching new places to explore—whether it’s a tiny ramen bar on Broadway, a pop-up art exhibit in Mount Pleasant, or a nature trail I’ve never walked before. These little explorations jolt me out of routine and make each week feel unique. They may seem small, but they accumulate into something big: a life that feels lived.

Making Space for Joy and Reflection

For me, meaningful experiences aren’t about extravagance—they’re about intention. When I carve out space for discovery, connection, and even a little discomfort, I’m reminded that life is more than just productivity or screen time.

I want to look back someday and remember the late-night walks traversing Paris on foot, the morning mist rising above the Azores calderas, and the quiet joy of discovering a new fantastic Vancouver café and blogging with a creative drink in front of me. I want to feel like I was present in my own life—not just working through it, but really living it!

What Living Fully Looks Like (For Me)

This mindset is why I travel; why I explore. It’s why I shake up my weekends, even when I’m at home. It’s about slowing down time—not literally, but experientially. In this way I can stitch together moments that make the passing of time feel meaningful, even if it’s just a Wednesday afternoon spent sipping hojicha in a new part of town.

Everyone’s version of a “life well lived” will look different, but for me, it includes adventure, curiosity, and a conscious refusal to let my days become indistinguishable from one another.

So here’s your reminder (and mine): You don’t have to cross an ocean to feel like you’re living. You just have to make space for the things that light you up. Start small. Explore something new this week. If you’re wondering how to slow down time in life, this is where you begin.

---

Looking to make your day-day routine feel more like travel? If you’re as stoked as I am for the next local weekend adventure, save this article for grounded travel inspiration on how to slow down time in life and delve into everyday reflection.

And if you are venturing further abroad, explore the Quest for Durian travel blog for travel tips and my favourite travel resources to make your journey seamless.

If found this article on how to slow down time in life beneficial, please share it with your friends and connect with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for more travel tips!

Until next time,

♥ Agni