Life Goals, Milestones, Growth, and Time’s Quiet Lessons.

I couldn’t believe how long it had been since my last blog! Somewhere between sessions with clients, deepening my understanding of Attachment Theory, turning 50 and dipping my toe into Couples Counselling, the months—no, years—slipped by. I’ve been immersed, learning, meeting new colleagues, celebrating with those closest, growing, and doing work that feels deeply meaningful, but even for me, someone who encourages others to pause and reflect, it’s important to look up and around once in a while.

Psychologists call this the time perception paradox—as we age, new experiences become rarer, and time seems to speed up because our brains don’t register routine events the way they did in childhood. That’s why childhood summers felt endless, but now entire years can blur together.

I see this reflected in those approaching 30, 40, or, in fact, any milestone birthday. That quiet worry starts to creep in, the pressure of expectations, the fear of falling behind. They can find themselves increasingly anxious about where the time has gone, and ‘Am I where I should be?’ But here’s something to remember: time hasn’t betrayed us. Growth isn’t measured in ticking clocks; it’s found in the depth of experiences, the ways we adapt, and the quiet progress we often overlook.

So if you feel time slipping past too quickly, take a breath. Look back at who you were five years ago. You’ll see how much you’ve learned, how much you’ve adapted, how much you’ve become. And that is time well spent. If that seems too difficult to do, perhaps exploring in therapy why you feel this way can be helpful.

Take care of yourself,

Catherine.