Wanderlust
Wanderlust is a chronic condition. There is no cure. There are things that you can do to alleviate the signs and symptoms; but it will never truly disappear.
Those suffering from wanderlust have a deep-seated sense of needing to go and do. A feeling of wanting to be anywhere but “here.” They are the hikers, the weekend adventurers, the world-travelers and the road-trippers. They are the ones with the lists, on paper, on their phones, and in their heads, of trips to take, destinations and directions. They are the ones who don’t do delivery because driving anywhere soothes their soul. Being “somewhere” is the goal.
Wanderlust never goes away. Even when on the big expansive trip, they are planning the next one. Winter and inclement weather, low finances, health and family concerns are all hard for someone inflicted with wanderlust. Being cooped up, or unable to go and be “away,” creates havoc within a wanderlusty person. There is such a thing as Seasonal Affective Disorder (which I would be willing to bet all wanderlusters have) and then there is the next level Wanderlust Lock-down Disorder (I just made that up).
Signs and symptoms:
Staring off into space.
Making lists of destinations
Watching videos, reading articles, and studying maps about destinations
Jumping at the chance to go anywhere
Temporary “fixes”:
Walking the dog
Watching Climbing Mount Everest documentaries
Buying travel anything- bags, hiking gear, wrinkle-free outfits, water-proof phone case, etc.
Looking at previous travel pictures
AND planning your next trip
For those that don’t suffer from Wanderlust, it may seem that the wanderluster is discontented with their life if they are not always on the go; because let’s be real, not may of us can be nomads in today’s world. Someone who does not have the desire to drop everything and go on a roadtrip without a moment’s notice, may not understand that there are people out there that truly desire to do that. There are those who would be, and are, happy to live in an RV and never have a permanent address.
If you live with, work with, fellowship with, one of these wanderlust sufferers and you are not one, just be patient with them. Spring is tough for them if they don’t have somewhere to go. They are breaking out of the cooped-up season and they need to be freed. Give them some trail mix, a filled water bottle and your blessing as you tell them to be back by dark.
Wanderlust, a German word, loosely meaning to love hiking around. Yup. That’s it.
If anyone needs me, I will be in the mountains, or somewhere with at least my head in the clouds.