It seems as if there is less and less time for the finer or more noble things in life - and the demands of modern lifestyles are to blame.
The excuse "too busy" has been cited in all manner of studies and surveys this year alone. Workers say they are too busy to take holidays, lunch breaks or toilet stops.
Women say they have less time and energy for sex than their 1950s counterparts. Church leaders explain their dwindling flocks by saying many people are now too busy on Sundays.
And now a survey of young people who didn't vote in May's Welsh elections - in which just 16% of under-25s cast a ballot - has found that most said it was simply because they didn't have the time.
For many workers, the lunch hour has been compressed into little more than a quick refuelling stop, hence the boom in sales of takeaway sandwiches, many of which are no doubt scoffed at a work station.
And a survey of 1,000 employees in May found that the average employee misses out on more than three months of holiday over their working lives, with many blaming the pressure of work for not taking time off.
A third of the men and one in six women who took part said they were simply too busy to go on holiday.
Any spare time we have is most likely spent shopping, working out in the gym or watching TV - or indeed reading articles about how busy we all are.
What are you too busy to do that you would like to be able to make time for? Let us know using the form below: Reading. It was the only good thing about commuting into London.
Catherine O, UK
Ride my bike. I used to love summer rides. This year I'm either trying to ensure my business keeps going, or catching up with housework or frantically gardening or trying to stop the house falling down.
Sue Murdoch, UK
I'm too busy to complete typing this emai...
Chris, Japan
Cook and eat. There's not enough time to "do a Delia" and knock up a roasted doodah of whatsit with lime juice vinaigrette thingy because it'd take all day to do the shopping, preparation and cooking. After work it's so much easier to put an M&S ready meal in the microwave.
Gill Bristow, UK
Maintain a steady relationship. To pay off my student loan, I work 60-70 hours a week at an investment bank, with 6 months out of 12 abroad. My boyfriend of 4 years has recently left me for not having time for our relationship. I dare not enter another until I pay off my debts.
Jennifer Cowling, UK
When I was a student and had no money, I never received a red bill. Now I never seem to find the time to pay bills.
Jon, England
Photography lessons. This is because on top of working 9-6, I play basketball, travel on the weekends, go drinking Friday nights, cook, go to the gym 3 times a week and train for half-marathons. It's all about organisation and doing things in bite sized chunks.
Yohahn Lowe, UK
Ironically enough, finding a new career. I don't enjoy my job, even though I'm successful at it - but I don't have enough time and energy to research the alternatives. Evening classes are out because I can't guarantee making them.
Katherine, UK
My real problem is TV. I try not to watch it but if I'm honest, I watch 10 hours a week. A recent survey said the UK average is 19 hours a week. If we watched less TV we'd have lots of time for all those things we really want to do.
Richard Murphy, UK
Housework. By the time I finish work all I want to do is have a beer, sit and relax. My house is a mess most of the time and I rarely have time to organise paperwork, ironing, washing... My weekends are used for catching up with this stuff. Phew!
Alice Dunkerley, Spain
Time to be me. Solitude is a precious commodity and I need a small part of every day just for me. Time to reflect, forgive and forget, and recharge the mental & physical batteries.
Ann, UK
See my friends. Buying a house at 23, I need two jobs to afford it, so I'm never home and working all the hours possible and getting only 6 hours sleep.
Mark, UK
I'm too busy to relax! I work from 8am to 4pm, have two children aged 2 and 4 and am 37 weeks pregnant with my third. After a day at work with a 30-minute lunch break - actually a "leg it round the shops, pay the bills, come back and collapse at the desk" break, got home, spent time with the children, fed them, fed me and my husband, done the housework, sorted out the post, I don't have time to even watch half-an-hour of TV, listen to a CD or read a book.
Karen, England
Sometimes I find it hard to just relax. After leaving work I get home after an hour commute and then hit the gym so as not to join the fat race! Then home to cook, iron a shirt and it's nearly time for bed. Life in the UK is crazy. I'm looking to go back to Ireland. It's a more relaxed and less stressful place.
Paul O' Halloran, UK
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