In recent years, Americans have increasingly embraced a new lifestyle characterized by spending more time at home. This trend, which has been gaining momentum since as early as 2003, has been thoroughly documented in a cover story by journalist Derek Thompson in The Atlantic. In his February 2025 piece, Thompson aptly refers to this period as "the anti-social century," echoing a sentiment shared by researchers who have found that our daily habits have shifted significantly.
According to data from the American Time Use Survey, prior to the pandemic, Americans were already spending an average of 30 minutes less each day engaged in out-of-home activities compared to 2003. From 2019 to 2021, this decline accelerated dramatically, with total time spent on out-of-home activities plummeting from 332 minutes per day to just 271 minutes. Travel duration also saw a notable drop: average daily travel time, excluding air travel, fell from 69 minutes in 2019 to 54 minutes in 2021.
In 2023, further analysis reveals that Americans are now spending nearly 1.5 hours less outside their homes than they did two decades prior. One quarter of this decrease can be attributed to reduced commuting time; however, the majority reflects broader changes in lifestyle choices, particularly in shopping and socialization. Work-from-home arrangements have also solidified, with around 25% of paid workdays remaining remote as of early 2025.
The implications of this shift in behavior are far-reaching. Notably, demand for office and retail space has waned as less time is spent in these environments. While some employers are calling for employees to return to the office, evidence suggests that the surge of remote work is here to stay. The implications extend to surplus office spaces that may require repurposing into housing or alternate uses.
As commuting patterns have changed, so too has traffic flow and public transit usage. Reports indicate that morning and afternoon peak traffic periods have been smoothed out, leading to a noticeable decrease in public transit ridership. As more people opt for delivery services over traditional shopping methods, delivery drivers now share the road with parked cars and crowded bike lanes.
However, there are social costs associated with this trend. As people spend more time at home, research indicates that loneliness and social isolation are on the rise. This concern, voiced by Brian D. Taylor, a professor of urban planning at UCLA, suggests a troubling connection: more time spent at home correlates with an increase in feelings of loneliness, which in turn has been linked to higher risks of early mortality.
The importance of cultivating connections and community in a time when out-of-home interactions are dwindling cannot be overstated. Policymakers and individuals alike must work towards fostering meaningful relationships during an era when socialization increasingly occurs over digital platforms rather than in person. The future of social connection may depend on navigating this landscape.
Brian D. Taylor, alongside Eric Morris of Clemson University and urban planning Ph.D. student Sam Speroni, co-authored this sentiment in their research, stating, "Because hunkering down appears to be the new norm, we think it’s all the more important for policymakers and everyday people to find ways to cultivate connections and community in the shrinking time they do spend outside of the home.” The call to action lies not just in recognizing these changes, but in adapting to ensure the vitality of human interactions in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape.
As we reflect on how our daily habits have evolved, it is vital to consider the broader context of dependency on technology. Advances in smartphones and on-demand services have contributed significantly to how we navigate our lives, leading to convenience but potentially sacrificing quality social experiences.
Ultimately, the challenge is to balance the comforts of staying home with the necessity of fostering social interactions that make our communities vibrant. Recognizing this shift and proactively addressing the resultant issues will be crucial in shaping a healthier, more connected future.
