The Art of Savoring: Stretching Time Through Nature

In this episode of Before Breakfast, host Laura Vanderkam addresses the common feeling that life moves too quickly, particularly during the transition from a long winter to the fleeting beauty of spring. While the physical passage of time remains constant, Vanderkam argues that we possess the agency to make time "feel bigger and more memorable" by intentionally engaging with our environment.

The Fleeting Nature of Spring

Vanderkam notes that spring is characterized by a rapid succession of blossoms, from early "daffodil shoots" poking through the snow to the late-blooming "lilies of July." Because each species—including crocuses, hellebores, forsythia, plum trees, and magnolias—tends to "blossom for just a few weeks," the season can pass in a blur. She emphasizes that if we aren't careful, we might "blink and you might miss something," leading to the realization that we have slipped from March to June without truly experiencing the transition.

Strategies for Mindful Observation

To counteract the sensation of time slipping away, Vanderkam suggests several practical methods to interact with time differently:

• Documenting the Flora: By becoming more observant, we can transform our relationship with the season. She encourages listeners to "challenge yourself to document the flowers" using tools like the PictureThis app to identify species, or keeping a record of blossom dates to anticipate their return. Creating a digital album of the town's flora serves as a tangible anchor for these memories.
• Engaging in Novel Experiences: Research suggests that "time seems to slow down when we do things that are novel or intense." Vanderkam suggests becoming a "floral tourist" by visiting botanical gardens or specific sites like the Tidal Basin for cherry blossoms. These unique, seasonal activities force us to be present.
• Sensory Engagement: Even small, daily interactions—such as making a point to "stop and smell the flowers" near one’s office—can be transformative. By noticing the scent and recounting the experience to others or in a journal, we "experience it a second time," which makes the break feel more significant and noticeable.
• Bringing Nature Indoors: Vanderkam suggests bringing flowers inside to place on a desk or kitchen counter. During mundane tasks like a "Zoom call," looking at these flowers can help one feel more "cheerful" and connected to the current moment.

The Philosophy of Stretching Time

The core takeaway of the episode is that while we cannot change the speed at which the clock ticks, we can alter our perception of it. By "noticing and savoring the flowers," we create a richer, more deliberate experience of our lives. Vanderkam concludes that even in a very busy time of year, making a conscious effort to observe the season allows it to "seem to stretch." Ultimately, the practice of savoring is an act of reclaiming our time, ensuring that we do not merely exist, but truly inhabit the moments as they unfold.