Parked: Why Men Are Losing Drive Literally and Spiritually

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Eric Nabinger, One of Thousands of Christian Coaches on Noomii.

A few decades ago, getting your driver’s license was a rite of passage. For many men, it meant freedom, responsibility, and the chance to move forward literally and symbolically.

Today, more men aren’t even driving. And I don’t just mean cars.
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The Road Less Traveled
Studies show Millennials are driving less than any generation before them. Not just because of Uber or urbanization many just don’t feel the need to move. High-income Millennials drive less than Gen X or Boomers did at the same age (University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute).

Miles traveled per day has steadily declined among Millennials, even controlling for age and gas prices. But this isn’t just about transportation. It’s about motivation, direction, and identity.

The Hidden Drift: Work, Life & Meaning

This same generation is reporting record lows in satisfaction, direction, and drive:

1. Happiness Has Reversed by Age
The 2024 World Happiness Report revealed something shocking:
Americans under 30 are now the least happy age group in the country.
This is a complete reversal from previous decades, where younger adults were consistently the happiest.

2. Work Isn’t Working for Them
Research on men’s mental health shows job satisfaction is the strongest predictor of life satisfaction (Harry’s Masculinity Report).
When men feel stuck, unappreciated, or meaningless in their work it impacts everything:

• Motivation
• Mental health
• Even family relationships

3. They’re Wealthier… But Feel Poorer
Millennials may have more assets than Gen X did at their age, but they feel economically fragile and emotionally burned out.
An Atlantic report calls it “quiet despair among Millennial men” pointing to rising loneliness, lower ambition, and delayed milestones.

What Driving Has to Do with It? This isn’t just data it’s a mirror.
When men don’t feel needed, they stop moving.
When they don’t have purpose, they don’t push forward.
When they can’t see progress, they quit before they start.
Whether it’s not driving to work… not applying for the next role… not showing up for their family… it all signals the same thing: We’re losing our sense of direction.

We Were Made to Move
Scripture is clear:
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” – Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Faith without works is dead.” – James 2:17
Faith isn’t passive. It’s active. Movement builds clarity. Obedience leads to insight. Forward motion even slow, even messy keeps our soul alive.
When we stop moving, we stop believing. And when we stop believing, we disconnect from the very source of our strength.

What Can We Do?
This isn’t a lost cause. Here’s how we get traction again:

Start small. Call someone. Apply. Go for a walk. Make one decision today that moves you forward.

2. Find Purpose in Work
Help Millennial men reconnect calling with contribution. It’s not just about titles—it’s about impact.

3. Normalize the Drift
We need to talk about how stuck we feel. Isolation feeds the spiral.

Even if you don’t see the full road ahead, trust that obedience in motion pleases God, and builds you.

If you’re a man who feels stuck, unsure, or exhausted you’re not broken. You’re not lazy. You’re just parked. And it’s time to move again. It’s not about driving a car. It’s about reclaiming purpose, and letting faith put your life back in gear.

If you’re ready to start moving again, spiritually or practically, schedule your free Gensis Call today at 8pointgrowth.com.

We’re meant for more than sitting in neutral.