Is time dilation (slower time) near the speed of light ACTUALLY a thing, or just a term we use for our perspective of physically existing slower? /u/setzke No such thing as stupid questions

I don’t know why but I get a little heated every time I hear about slower time near the speed of light. Does physics see time as a thing that is slower hear, or is it simply that atoms can’t move as quickly when pressed against that speed of light limit, therefore we as people would move slower, age slower, perceive slower, and since that doesn’t match up with what’s outside of our condition, it’s simplified to “time is slower”? I hope I’m asking this clearly.

I don’t know why but I get a little heated every time I hear about slower time near the speed of light. Does physics see time as a thing that is slower hear, or is it simply that atoms can’t move as quickly when pressed against that speed of light limit, therefore we as people would move slower, age slower, perceive slower, and since that doesn’t match up with what’s outside of our condition, it’s simplified to “time is slower”? I hope I’m asking this clearly.