What is Time Blindness?
Time blindness is a term used to describe the inability to perceive time accurately. Those who experience it may find it challenging to track the passing of time, remember upcoming appointments, or prioritise tasks in a way that matches with their schedules. This experience is more than just losing track of time; it’s a fundamental struggle with being aware of time’s flow and duration.
People with time blindness may not feel the typical internal clock that many rely on to manage time and deadlines. Some people find that even with the best planning, they either spend too much time on some tasks and not enough on others, and as a result, they might struggle with planning, miss deadlines or feel constantly rushed.
Time blindness is a relatively new term, but an age-old struggle. It can be perceived as a lack of respect for time or a lack of willpower, but actually time blindness is often linked to neurodiverse conditions, particularly ADHD, and it can affect people dealing with chronic stress or certain mental health conditions. It feels like constantly being "out of sync" with deadlines, struggling to estimate how long things take, or frequently finding yourself late despite your best intentions.
Why Does Time Blindness Happen?
Whilst time blindness is often associated with neurodiversity, it can also result from other factors. Here are some common causes:
ADHD: Those with ADHD often have difficulty with executive functions, which are brain processes related to planning, organising, and managing time effectively. Time awareness can be low in people with ADHD because of how their brains process and prioritise information.
Mental Health Conditions: Anxiety, depression, and chronic stress can disrupt our relationship with time. For example, during periods of anxiety or stress, you might feel frozen or hyper focused on one thing, losing track of how much time is passing.
Lack of Routine: If you’re going through a time of transition, such as moving to a new city, starting a new job, or adjusting to remote work, it can disrupt your typical structure, leading to time blindness.
Trauma and Memory Impairment: Traumatic experiences can affect the brain’s ability to perceive and remember time accurately. As a result, people who have been through trauma may struggle with time management and keeping track of days, weeks, and months.
Technology: Ironically, the tools we use to stay on track can also contribute to time blindness. Endless scrolling or binge-watching on streaming platforms can warp our sense of time, making it easy to lose track of hours without realising it.
Signs of Time Blindness
It can be hard to tell when time blindness is becoming an issue because, by nature, it affects how you perceive time passing. However, here are some signs that might suggest you’re struggling with time blindness:
Consistently running late, even when you try to leave early.
Difficulty estimating how long tasks will take.
Frequently forgetting deadlines or upcoming appointments.
Rushing at the last minute to complete tasks.
Feeling “stuck” in a time warp, unable to plan for future events or deadlines.
Hyper focusing on certain tasks, leading to hours passing without notice.
Managing Time Blindness: Tips and Strategies
While time blindness can be frustrating, several strategies can help you build awareness and better manage your time. Here are some practical steps you can take:
External Time Cues: Set alarms, reminders, and timers on your phone or other devices. External cues can help you “check-in” with the time regularly throughout the day.
Break Tasks into Small Steps: When you have a big task, breaking it down into smaller, manageable chunks can help you better estimate how long it will take. Working in intervals (like the Pomodoro Technique, which breaks tasks into 25-minute blocks with short breaks in between) can help with focus and time awareness.
Use Visual Time Tools: Some people find it helpful to use visual timers, such as hourglasses, digital countdown clocks, or even coloured clocks that visually show the passage of time. Seeing time pass rather than just hearing it can make a difference.
Create Routines: Regular routines can help make the passing of time feel more predictable. Setting regular wake-up, meal, and bedtime routines can create a “clock” in your day that grounds your perception of time.
Calendar Blocking: Try scheduling your day in blocks. Instead of just having a list of tasks, set specific times for each task, even if it’s just “reading time” or “answering emails.” This method can help create a clearer sense of how your day is structured and can also help you “see” free time.
Seek Professional Support: Time blindness can sometimes feel overwhelming. A counsellor or therapist, especially one experienced in neurodiverse conditions, can help you create systems tailored to your specific challenges.
Self-Compassion: Struggling with time doesn’t mean you’re lazy or inconsiderate. Time blindness is real and often misunderstood. Practising self-compassion and not overloading yourself with expectations can create a healthier mindset toward managing time.
Final Thoughts: Embracing a Different Relationship with Time
Time blindness can be a challenging experience, especially in a world that values punctuality and productivity. However, by understanding why it happens and using strategies to manage it, you can start to create a more structured approach to time that works for you. Please do recognise that building these habits takes time, so be patient with yourself. The goal isn’t to “cure” time blindness or be transformed overnight, but to work with it and find ways to make it manageable in your everyday life.
@Ease Creative Integrative Therapies with Val Phillips 2024
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