How to Make Time Pass Quickly when Looking Forward to Something

Co-authored by Jessica Elliott, ACC, CEC

Last Updated: July 29, 2022 References Approved

Have you ever been so excited that you couldn’t sleep, like on the night before your birthday or a big holiday? Sometimes, if you’re really looking forward to something, the time can seem to just drag on and on. 5 minutes can feel like 5 years. But there’s good news! There are actually a few tricks and tactics you can use to help make the time pass more quickly. We’ve put together a handy list of options for you to choose from.

1

Try breaking up the time into smaller chunks.

It can help speed up the time. Break up the hours into 5 or 10-minute blocks. Use the blocks to alternate back and forth between fully focusing on a task or activity and working at a more relaxed pace. Focusing on something can help the time pass quickly and breaking it up into chunks can make it more manageable.^{[1]
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- For instance, you could break up an hour by alternating between 5 and 10-minute chunks. Spend the 10-minute chunks really focusing on a task. Then, spend the 5-minute blocks relaxing and working less hard.

2

Watch videos or listen to music.

Use audio and visual stimulation to distract yourself. Watch some TV or put on a movie. Pull out your phone and look up some videos or put on a good playlist to listen to some of your favorite songs. You’ll distract your mind to help the time pass more quickly. You may not even notice!^{[2]
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3

Read a good book.

Immerse yourself in another world. Crack open a new book or an old classic that you love to read over and over. Transport your mind to a different time and place to pass the time. Engrossing yourself in a good book will keep your mind fully occupied and you may not even notice the hours fly by.^{[3]
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- You could also listen to an audiobook if you don’t have a hard copy in front of you.

4

Surf the net.

Play around on the internet to kill some time. Pull out your phone or hop on a computer and look up cat videos or find the latest updates of your favorite sports. Check out social media and see what your friends are up to. Take a look at some of the latest memes and have a few laughs or send them to friends you think would like them. You’ll be surprised how quickly the time passes.^{[4]
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5

Try counting from 100 to 1.

Use this simple trick to make time go by faster. Don’t count the time. Instead, start counting from 100 to 1. As you count, you won’t notice the time passing, and counting down can feel like you’re reaching a goal. Mix it up and force your mind to focus by counting down by 2s, 5s, or something tricky like 7s. You could even count from 1000 to 1 to take up more time.^{[5]
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- Counting up can make it feel like you’re counting the seconds, which could actually make it seem like time is passing more slowly.

6

Make a list of goals you want to accomplish.

Put together a to-do list for your future. Channel your boredom into a productive task by jotting down goals or dreams that you have! Open up a digital note or grab a piece of paper and a pen. Then, come up with goals for today, goals for the end of the week, and goals for the end of the month. You can also think about all of the tasks you need to complete to make those goals happen. In the end, you'll have a solid gameplan you can use to improve your future.^{[6]
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- Approach your goals in small, incremental steps. By doing a few things everyday, you're adding to your overall larger goal.^{[7]
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- Take your time when approaching your goals, too! Slow things down, take it day-by-day, and understand that there's beauty hidden in the journey.

7

Knock out some chores.

Tackle that to-do list you’ve been putting off. Find some stuff you can clean up around your home such as washing the dishes or vacuuming the floors. Clear out your fridge and wipe down the counters to get your kitchen tidied up. You could also do some of that laundry that’s been piling up or organize your garage. Get to those less-than-desirable tasks and you’ll pass the time and feel accomplished when you’re finished.^{[8]
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8

Talk to someone you care about.

Reach out and catch up to pass the time. Take some time to give a call or shoot a message to an old friend or a relative you haven’t talked to in a while. You could talk about the latest news and update each other about your lives. Having other people to talk to can make the time pass faster.^{[9]
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9

Get outside for a bit.

Make your mind and body feel better. Take a nice walk or go for a bike ride. A Stanford study found that walking increases creativity and has a positive impact on your mood.^{[10]
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Research source} You could also head to the gym to get a really good workout in. Exercise releases endorphins that can make you feel happier and more relaxed, and while you’re focusing on exercising, you won’t think about the time as much.
- You don’t necessarily have to exercise, but some time outside can help boost your mood.
- If you can’t exercise outside, working out or relaxing indoors can also kill some time.

10

Soak in your surroundings.

Practice mindfulness to become absorbed in the moment. Observe your surroundings and notice all of the different textures, colors, and designs. Try to take in any smells and identify them. Listen for the sounds around you. Pay attention to the things you feel such as your feet on the floor or your legs on the chair. The more engrossed in your surroundings you are, the more quickly the time will seem to pass.^{[11]
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11

Avoid watching the clock.

Turn your clocks over or hide them so you can’t see them. Counting the seconds can make a minute seem like an eternity. Resist the urge to check the time constantly. Put away any clocks so you aren’t tempted to look. The less you check the clock, the quicker the time will pass.^{[12]
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12

Take a nap if you have nothing else to do.

A power nap can pass the time and make you feel refreshed. Curl up for a quick 10-minute nap. It’s a great way to relax, feel rejuvenated, and pass some time. You’ll wake up feeling rested and energized.^{[13]
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- You could set an alarm to wake yourself up or just nap until you wake up on your own.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I wait for a friend to come over in 1 hour?

Community Answer

Watch an hour long TV show, or read a book for an hour. If you like to bake, this is another good option, because between prep and cook time, baking usually takes about an hour.
Question

How do I make a week go by faster when I'm in school?

Community Answer

Try some of the ideas above, or checkout the related wikiHow article on How to Make School Time Fly.
Question

I get my phone back in one week, but I feel I need it by my side at all times. How can I make time pass by faster?

Community Answer

Try something you have been wanting to do without your phone. Read a book. Take long walks. Spend time with friends.

Warnings

Pay attention to your surroundings, especially if you’re doing activities such as driving or operating machinery.

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