I don, t think a novel is about how long it goes, it is about you are satisfied with it or not. As a writer it is very tough to decide your novel is completely done and no need of any editing. I think it depends upon your editing habit.
I think it is an important factor to feel the feelings of your character to make them live as and more realistic, I only feel like my charecrer while writing and thinking.
You may need to read some other story in first person on the journey. You said you know how to describe it, but don't know how to write. The answer is simply to write things in an easy manner and try to write what the reader wants to read.
Yes, exactly some time it turns to pain to write something, but we have to write on that condition too. Mostly when I feel depressed, I don't choose to write even a single word, I take a rest and then prepare myself to write after some time with positive thoughts.