Arg, I'm trying to seriously cut back on forum posting, but this question is too applicable to my life. Can't....resist....answering.....
does anyone else suffer from this?
Definitely.
how does it affect you? what good or bad has come from it?
Good = I think I have an adventurous spirit and an intense desire to see and experience as much as possible in this short lifetime of mine. I think this is a great thing, and I feel really alive when I do it. Traveling is...quite a sensory, amazing experience for me, and it's almost better than any other high I have experienced. I also think it broadens my horizons a bit and my view of the world, and helps me to see things on a larger scale. Keeps things in perspective, and I'm able to let go of what are ultimately trivialities. Also, I have SO many fantastic memories already, as a result of the wanderlust.
Bad = restlessness. The grass is always greener syndrome. Tendency to be dissatisfied with a sedentary, unchanging life. It takes me about 3 months after a trip, before I start getting that itch again. This complicates things.
does it apply to all aspects of your life or only a few? (job, residency, relationship, hobbies, etc)
Not certain what you mean, as I've always associated wanderlust with wanting to travel and not wanting, or being able to, stick around in one place indefinitely. An itch to see the world.
But if you're talking about general dissatisfaction, boredom, or apathy, then that can extend to other areas of my life. Certainly job -- it's why I've never been able to envision a career path that I'll be content with for life, and as far as day-to-day stuff, once things become too routinized, I become pretty dissatisfied and think I'm missing out on other things or opportunities - not living my life to the fullest. But it's possible that a component of this is that I don't really have anyone to share my life with, so my wanderlust takes the center stage instead.
most importantly, what do you think causes this?
Personality?
I have had a great job the past 5 1/2 years in terms of benefits and paid time off, so I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to take 2-3 vacations a year (usually one longer one - say, 2-3 weeks, and then a couple of 4-5 day ones over holiday weekends). This has definitely helped keep the wanderlust at bay. I also recognize how lucky I am in many ways, so that can help me keep things in perspective as well.
However, despite my telling myself how lucky I am, I still have the itch. At work, I don't feel terribly challenged anymore, and I can't stand the thought of being at the same job for the rest of my life - can't stand the thought of being in the same company for the rest of my life! Also don't really like the idea of staying in the same state for the rest of my life. I want to experience more.
So due to all of this I'm throwing caution to the wind and at least for a little while, I'll be 'free'. I'm giving notice next week and will be done with the job by the end of October, then I'm off to South America.
Eek.
The plan right now is to travel and do stuff like that til March, and then in April the plan is to move to a different state. I'm just wanting a change.
Guess that's my second 'approach' to it -- just follow the desire.
Several years ago I didn't go through with it, even though I wanted to, because at that time I felt it was an escapist maneuver. But now I don't think that it is. I'm moving towards something new. I know it'll seem escapist to many, but from my perspective, this has been a long time coming and I think it's necessary for me at this point.
And...making a living will definitely be waiting for me by next summer..then I'll have to be responsible once again. ;-)
It is certainly an interesting balance, and while I think it's possible to integrate the wanderlust into a more stable overall lifestyle (it's something I do aim for), it can certainly be challenging - logistically, as well as emotionally.
The end.
