Dale Whelehan: Why so many of us feel we never have enough time - and what we can do to take back control

"Time is the only form of capital we can never earn back - once it's spent, it's gone Over the past few years, one sentence has come up again and again: "I don't have enough time." People say it about work. About family. About friendships they keep meaning to return to. About exercise, rest, reading and even sleep. Once it's said, the conversation tends to drift on, as if something has just been acknowledged and filed away."

"Time is the only form of capital we can never earn back - once it's spent, it's gone Over the past few years, one sentence has come up again and again: "I don't have enough time." People say it about work. About family. About friendships they keep meaning to return to. About exercise, rest, reading and even sleep. Once it's said, the conversation tends to drift on, as if something has just been acknowledged and filed away."

Time is an irreversible resource that cannot be earned back once spent. Many people report lacking time for work, family, friendships, exercise, rest, reading, and sleep. Saying "I don't have enough time" often serves as acknowledgement without follow-through, allowing the issue to be mentally filed away. The habitual claim of insufficient time erodes opportunities for meaningful choices and relationships. Addressing time scarcity requires deliberate prioritization, setting boundaries, removing low-value obligations, and scheduling important activities. Viewing time as capital encourages intentional investments in health, relationships, and long-term goals rather than passive resignation.

Read at Independent