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Losing Free Time in My Late 20s

  • Writer: Zahra Khan
    Zahra Khan
  • 3 hours ago
  • 3 min read

Back before I turned 27, I actually had free time. Now it feels like a luxury item sitting on a shelf I can’t afford. I used to spend hours blogging, reflecting on my choices, analyzing my habits, and working on becoming a better version of myself. Lately, life feels like it’s running on auto-pilot and while I’m building the life I always dreamed of, a part of me feels like it’s quietly falling apart in the background.


I’ve never been someone who gets “bored,” and now I’ve erased that word from my dictionary entirely. There’s just too much I want to accomplish while I’m here. Every night I find myself debating between getting some sleep or taking on another project and somehow the projects always win.


When Free Time Disappears, Everything Feels Different

time is running, choose your next move wisely

When I had more time, I used to feel everything a little more deeply. If I was having a bad night, I’d let myself sink into it. Now? I grab a coffee, pick up my laptop, and keep moving. There’s no pause button anymore. Part of it is because my work is so manual and I’m trying to automate my life. Part of it is just adulthood. And part of it is the pressure I put on myself to keep going, keep building, keep expanding.


Writing: My First Love, My First Safe Place

I’ve always loved writing. Not the biggest fan of reading books because they take too long but articles, journals, blogs? That’s my language. Writing is the deepest form of intimacy, whether it's with yourself or someone else. And as someone who’s been journaling since 5th grade, I can say it honestly shaped the person I am today.


I didn’t have many friends growing up, and being the youngest meant no one really listened. So I became my own best friend. It always felt like it was just me and God. That closeness made me spiritual, but it also made me stop trusting people. Maybe that’s why I love writing so much, if someone writes me a note or a letter, it feels personal in a world where everything is digital. It feels like effort. It feels like care.


Why I’m Writing This Today

I miss having time. I miss letting my mind wander, letting my thoughts simmer, letting creativity breathe. Even on days I’m doing my best, I feel like I’m not doing enough. It’s not easy balancing a full-time job, a business, side projects, family, and surviving this economy.


There are days I dream about driving up to the mountains alone, no phone, no notifications just me disassociating under the sky. But I can’t. I’m building a startup. And startups are like newborns… constant attention, constant feeding, constant work.


A Moment of Gratitude

But even in all of this chaos, I want to take a moment to thank God. I am blessed, beyond what my younger self would believe.


I still remember being in college, struggling to afford a laptop upgrade. It felt impossible. Last year, right before starting my business, my laptop was so slow I couldn’t even type without a lag. It held me back in every way. The next day, I walked into the Apple Store and bought a brand-new MacBook. It’s been almost a year, and I still feel grateful every time I open it.


To someone else, it might not mean much. To me, it’s everything. I know where I came from. I know what it took to get here. And even though I have no free time anymore, this is the life I prayed for.


So here’s your reminder: The life you want might be right around the corner. Keep praying, keep moving, and let that life find you.


Until next time, Peace 🤍




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