Traffic and long work hours leave Filipinos with no time for hobbies

One user shared that they felt sad about being unable to pursue the hobbies they love.

“I can’t even make art or play games […] after my shift kasi sobrang pagod na ako,” they said.

Others even pointed out that this reality is why Filipinos are chronically online, losing much of their time to scrolling on social media while stuck in transit.

Data from the TomTom index show that congestion in Metro Manila continues to worsen, with the 2025 rush hour traffic resulting in time lost equivalent to 5 days and 23 hours, which is 1 hour and 16 minutes more than the previous year.

Moreover, the 2024 Global Life-Work Balance Index report shows that Filipinos have one of the worst work-life balances, ranking 59th out of 60 countries, citing poor workplace culture and traffic as reasons.

“For many, a rare free moment is better spent resting than pursuing creative projects. True hobbies require financial freedom and peace of mind that daily grinding denies,” one user shared.

When these economic realities intersect, time becomes a privilege enjoyed by a few.

Such an everyday condition goes beyond discussions of leisure, as many are left to suffer from parental inadequacy, deteriorating health, and limited educational opportunities.

This puts into perspective what we continue to lose along the way and the choices we make for ourselves.

With a system perpetuating a deeper economic imbalance, Filipinos will continue to live in survival mode.

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