As we age, our sense of ‘present’ time begins to feel relatively short in comparison to our lifespan, so a year may feel quicker in old age compared to childhood. This is called “proportional theory”.
Fear has a particularly powerful effect on time, slowing down our internal clock so that the fearful event is perceived as lasting longer. In contrast, fun and happy times seem to be over in the blink of an eye.
Being in America 