I hope time slows down. - By Rachaela Blou

Written By: Rachaela Blou

Category: Personal Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In an introspective piece titled "I hope time slows down.," Rachaela Blou from the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 offers a poignant reflection on the nature of time. This personal essay delves into the relentless pace of life, capturing moments of nostalgia and longing intertwined with a desire for change. Through her writing, Rachaela invites readers into a world where time is both a force to reckon with and a companion to embrace.

About the Work

Rachaela Blou's essay is imbued with vivid metaphors and heartfelt introspection, exploring themes of time, change, and personal growth. Her narrative voice captures the tension between the desire to pause moments and the acceptance of life's fluidity. With rich imagery and a candid tone, she conveys the universal struggle of feeling left behind in a fast-paced world, ultimately finding solace in learning to live with time rather than against it.

I hope time slows down.

Original Submission by Rachaela Blou

Personal Essay

Rachaela Blou

I hope time slows down.

Time is a rushing waterfall. No matter what obstacles are put in the way it will not stop, it feels like it’s relentlessly pushing me forward, a powerful force which I cannot control. Time came crashing down before I could even register.

I hope time slows down.

From the very first moment I walked through the school gates I had an argument with the turnstiles, getting stuck on the first day, what a joke. I stepped forward expecting it to move but it didn’t, I pushed it again but it stayed locked in place like it just refused to let me through. A line formed behind me; I could hear their impatient sighs, feel them waiting for me to hurry up while I was still there trying to force it to move. At that moment I felt like time was moving without me, continuing forward while I was stuck there watching it go by, leaving me behind.

I hope time slows down.

I would spend my afternoons playing with dolls, thinking of the future. It feels like I’ve blinked and here I am, in the moments my younger self was dreaming about yet I can’t help but think how disappointed she would be. My Barbie dolls are sitting the back of my cupboard waiting to be played with, their faces and bodies frozen in time, how envious I am of them, spending their time doing absolutely nothing not worrying about deadlines or how the weeks turn into months all blending into one meaningless rush. Meanwhile I’ve been standing still watching the opportunities pass by me, never quite fast enough to catch them before they disappear.

I hope time slows down.

My work sits in front of me untouched, not a single pen stroke on its pages. The clock ticks time moves but I don’t, still watching the seconds go by, telling myself I’ll start in a minute but that minute never really comes. I sit there staring at the page like something is going to change on its own, like the answers will just appear if I wait long enough. The seconds turn into minutes, minutes into hours, and I’m still in the same position doing nothing, knowing exactly what I need to do but not having the energy or motivation to actually do it. It’s like I’m stuck in that moment, watching time move forward without me again, feeling it slip past while I stay exactly where I started. And by the time I finally look up it’s already late, the day is basically over, and I end up waiting for it to end just so I can go to my room and do the exact same thing all over again the next day.

I hope time slows down.

I look back at moments before the big move, sitting on the field laughing at things that won’t matter in a year’s time, sharing snacks talking about everything and nothing. I can feel myself longing to go back there just sitting in that moment of time wishing I realised how quickly it would pass, now we sit divided in a school that feels too big, work overflowing making normal conversations have an undeniable hint of stress, can’t comfortably express ourselves without the fear of being judged, maybe this is all in preparation for university where we wont just be divided mentally but physically, but I’m not ready for that, as imperfect as it is now and how perfect it was a year ago, the next year is something uncertain which will come before I can even comprehend it.

I hope time slows down

Maybe time was never meant to slow down, maybe I should move with the current instead of against it, enjoy the moments as they are and make them the best they can be. I am standing on the top of the waterfall seeing the water crash down, but something has changed, I have changed, I am no longer scared, I have learnt how to breathe between the seconds, hold on to the moments but still live in the present. I don’t need time to slow down; I just need to learn how to live alongside it.

I hope it’s now my time.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform for writers to showcase their creativity and literary talents. This competition encourages a diverse range of voices, offering writers an opportunity to share their unique perspectives and stories with a global audience. Participants express themselves across various genres, contributing to a vibrant tapestry of contemporary literature.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rachaela Blou for her beautiful contribution, "I hope time slows down.," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her insightful reflections on time and personal growth resonate deeply. We appreciate her participation and look forward to seeing how her writing journey unfolds.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.