How do you guys play so fast?

I play mostly 3+0 blitz and many opponents of similar rating play much faster than I do in complex positions. In fact, their moves are all less than 10 seconds, while I have 3-4 critical positions where I think for 20-40 seconds.
No matter if I win or lose, I run low on time, while my opponents have 1-2 minutes remaining (they are definitely not cheating because computer analysis shows that they also make blunders).
If I try playing like this I make simple blunders just because I need a few seconds per each candidate move to ensure it does not lose on the spot.
Is this something that can be trained? Or is this just a habit like "think at most 10 seconds then do any move no matter what"? Or is it young kids that think very fast and there is nothing I can do?
Is this even something that needs attention at all? Interestingly, higher-rated opponents (2000+ rating) also usually spend 15-30 seconds in one or two critical positions per game.

People have natural tendencies needed for quick decission making and these differ greatly. Also more you do typically you get at least somewhat better in the process. Also you mentioned they do blunder I guess that is important as well. In minutes games you really cannot ever invest 40 seconds to a move as you have 3 second per move at disposal. Something looks like it works then just play it. In my case that it means I will blunder you will less and I guess with sufficient experience it can go pretty low. Like Toivo K a strong IM playing Ultrabullet. Natural talent and excessive amount of training

Three critical thinks of 20 s = 1 minute while four critical thinks of 40 s = 160s. This is a huge chunk of time in a 3 minute game and poor time management.
You must train yourself to move faster and not seek perfection in a 3 minute game. Avoiding blunders is more important than making the strongest move.

I would play with an increment if you're regularly getting into time trouble. As someone who is sort of good at bullet I'd say you have to just keep moving even if it's a bad move and rely heavily on pre-moves to try to anticipate what your opponent is going to do.

Go to Lichess settings/preferences:

• Display
  - Piece animation
  ( select none )

Now you'll be slightly faster

On a slightly related note, I mainly play [2 1] and [3 2].

Pretty similar controls? I find that playing either one of those for a stretch will "mess up" my time management in the other one.

Each time control has its own rhythm, and we need to train our time management and instincts, and then practice to get (back) into the flow. And the adjustment between increment and no-increment is even greater.

Play bullets repeatedly so you can play with better speed in blitz

@Lord-Forkquaad said in #5:

• Piece animation

WDYM there is a piece animation? Like when you eat pieces?

@lightln2 said in #1:

I play mostly 3+0 blitz and many opponents of similar rating play much faster than I do in complex positions. In fact, their moves are all less than 10 seconds, while I have 3-4 critical positions where I think for 20-40 seconds.
No matter if I win or lose, I run low on time, while my opponents have 1-2 minutes remaining (they are definitely not cheating because computer analysis shows that they also make blunders).
If I try playing like this I make simple blunders just because I need a few seconds per each candidate move to ensure it does not lose on the spot.
Is this something that can be trained? Or is this just a habit like "think at most 10 seconds then do any move no matter what"? Or is it young kids that think very fast and there is nothing I can do?
Is this even something that needs attention at all? Interestingly, higher-rated opponents (2000+ rating) also usually spend 15-30 seconds in one or two critical positions per game.
STILL Generally speaking this is a good sign from someone learning Chess & getting Better at it' as you see more possibilities than others at times . I would encourage you to read a few Chess Books & maybe just play 5 min 0 time added which is still pretty quick & will allow others to make their fast errors as well' so you can take advantage @lightln2

@lightln2 said in #1:

I play mostly 3+0 blitz and many opponents of similar rating play much faster than I do in complex positions. In fact, their moves are all less than 10 seconds, while I have 3-4 critical positions where I think for 20-40 seconds.
No matter if I win or lose, I run low on time, while my opponents have 1-2 minutes remaining (they are definitely not cheating because computer analysis shows that they also make blunders).
If I try playing like this I make simple blunders just because I need a few seconds per each candidate move to ensure it does not lose on the spot.
Is this something that can be trained? Or is this just a habit like "think at most 10 seconds then do any move no matter what"? Or is it young kids that think very fast and there is nothing I can do?
Is this even something that needs attention at all? Interestingly, higher-rated opponents (2000+ rating) also usually spend 15-30 seconds in one or two critical positions per game.
Blitz is injurious to your chess. So, unless you're playing for fun, I suggest a change to rapid time control.