At 30, many of us find ourselves in perpetual motion. Our days often feel like a loop: wake up, get ready, commute to work, manage tasks that feel more about handling stakeholders than creating something meaningful, return home, figure out dinner, watch something online, sleep—and repeat. Beyond this daily routine, our lives are peppered with a different kind of movement: constant travel.
We travel home because we miss our families.
We travel for weddings, religious gatherings, and vacations.
We travel back from these places only to realize we’re also travelling long distances daily to get to work.
We want fulfilling lives and cherish our relationships, but this constant motion often leaves us questioning how much we’re truly accomplishing.
The Toll of Endless Motion
This year, my travels included 30 flights, 8 train journeys, and 10 long drives, adding up to approximately 320 hours of travel. Flights alone accounted for 60 hours, while trains and long car drives contributed 48 hours and 40 hours, respectively. Intracity travel during stays in other cities added another 172 hours to the mix, averaging 4–5 hours daily for 4–5 days.
That’s over 13 full days of my year spent in motion, whether navigating airports, enduring long road trips, or simply commuting during visits. The sheer volume of travel often competes directly with time meant for rest or personal focus.
And here’s the thing—this is just my travel. Looking around, I’m certain many people may be travelling even more. We’re a generation that’s constantly on the move, juggling work, family, social commitments, and self-care. For some, it’s even more demanding, with international assignments, long commutes, or back-to-back events stretching their time further.
What strikes me most is how I’ve come to feel about travel. I used to dream about exploring new places, experiencing new cultures, and embracing the freedom of movement. But over the past few years, my relationship with travel has changed. It has shifted from being something I looked forward to, to something I resent. The thrill of boarding a plane or starting a road trip has been replaced by exhaustion. Travel no longer feels like an adventure; it feels like a task.
Research shows that the average person spends about 300 hours annually on travel, equivalent to over 9% of their waking hours (Source: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety). For me, this year highlighted the physical and emotional toll of constant movement—often leaving me drained, disconnected, and questioning how I use my time.
The Hamster Wheel of Hustle
It feels like we’re all hamsters on a wheel—running faster only to remain in the same place. We’re chasing goals, striving to be present for loved ones, and aiming to live our best lives. But in this relentless pursuit, we risk losing sight of who we are.
Rethinking Our Time
What struck me most this year was not just the hours spent travelling but the realization of how deeply this affects my sense of being. Each journey had its purpose, but the cumulative effect of constant motion left me drained and disconnected.
Interestingly, I’m not alone in feeling this way. Many in our generation are experiencing similar realizations. The “Great Resignation” saw millions of people stepping away from the grind, and studies reveal that nearly half of millennials have left jobs for mental health reasons. This isn’t just about pausing; it’s about rethinking how we spend our time.
Instead of letting travel dominate my year, I’m learning to make it more intentional. Whether it’s listening to an audiobook during a flight, journaling on a train, or simply being present with the sights and sounds around me, I’m finding ways to turn motion into meaning. The goal isn’t just to pause but to ensure that every journey contributes to my growth, rather than merely adding to my exhaustion.
What Do You Think?
Have you felt the same way about constant movement? Did you once love to travel, only to find yourself resenting it now? Do you find ways to make travel meaningful, or does it feel like time slipping away? Let’s pause, reflect, and share our stories. After all, even in transit, we can find moments of clarity.
Diamond Dogs 
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