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Oct 42 min read

The 2020 Effect

How much time has passed since 2017? Has it been three years or seven? Many people lean towards the former, a direct result of the 2020 effect—a common misperception of time triggered by a person’s experiences of isolation. 




The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in late 2019, with the virus rapidly spreading across the globe. By early 2020, many nations implemented lockdown measures to halt its spread. Initially intended as a temporary solution, the lockdown persisted for a significant portion of the following two years, owing to the rising infection rates. 


The period of social isolation brought about various damaging effects on individuals. Typically, the perception of time involves a combination of sensory inputs, cognitive processes, and environmental changes, with a person’s attention playing a critical role. However, this imposed isolation meant that humans were deprived of these stimuli. This lack of stimulation resulted in heightened levels of boredom, despair, anxiety, and fear, significantly influencing our collective perception of time. As a result, time seemed to drag on during lockdown, transforming 2020 into a year remembered for its slow and tedious nature. 


After limitations were lifted, people returned to their usual schedules—enjoying a brunch date with friends or leisurely selecting a book at a bookstore. The revival of social interactions and new stimuli resulted in the sensation that time was moving swiftly, accelerating the pace of everyday life. 


This renewed pace of life not only contrasted with the subdued rhythm of lockdown but also contributed to a sense of catching up with lost time. As routines resumed and social calendars filled, the passage of time appeared to move more fluidly. This rapid shift in time perception underscores how social interactions and diverse stimuli significantly influence our understanding of how time passes, demonstrating the powerful impact of external factors on our subjective understanding of time.


In essence, the lack of stimuli in 2020 fostered a widespread feeling of time coming to a halt, leading to what is known as the 2020 effect. With the return of social engagements and varied experiences, time picked up speed to normal rates. This abrupt shift in the perception of time has made events from 2020 and earlier seem more recent than they truly are, creating a psychological wrinkle in time. 


 

Written by Tanisha Ulhaque



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