I knew I had a problem around the time I was 11 or 12—old enough to notice subtle differences in myself and others. Most people were worried about relationships, sports, and school, but I was worried about the types of trees in my backyard and how the weather in Tuscany was. In high school, people had their cliques and all the drama attached to it, but I had books of exotic places and quirky people, and that was what filled my time. I knew from a young age that I was more curious than others. I didn’t really enjoy what everyone else did. I wanted to submerge myself into the unknown, to be educated about the world and all the different cultures; I wanted to see life from a 365 degree view. I, from as soon as I can remember, have been in a perpetual state of wanderlust.

Wanderlust is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as, “a strong desire to travel.” To me, it means wanting to experience every place, along with every feeling, every restaurant, everyone, really. Wanderlust is not unhappiness in the place where you are; it is curiosity preparing to ignite and guide you to adventures. I want to be different places every day, to live somewhere that I can constantly find something new to marvel at. I crave being able to see someone in a book store, and start discussing our favorite books and why we like them. I wish to enrich myself in all life has to offer, because that is where my happiness comes from. I do not desire to belong to anyone or anything; I need to roam. This is wanderlust.

It may seem strange, but nothing pleases me more than driving and finding a new road with different scenery. My mother jokes that she wouldn’t be surprised if I called one day and said, “Oh, Mom, by the way, I’m in California. Sorry I didn’t tell you!” She is completely right. I have realized that being able to live your life is a blessing and one must live it completely. I have heard so many stories of regret in regards to staying in one place for too long. People are not meant to settle in cages; they are meant to be free. Settling for what we think we can get and never going after what we actually want is not what we are meant to do. God wants us to see all his creations: the Himalayas, the Indian Ocean, and especially his beautiful children. This is how one finds their true meaning in life.

I always felt bad for never quite being content with where I was. The discomfort I felt because of my wanderlust was unnecessary. Wandering is the best thing you can do. While seeing unexpected occurrences and eating weird foods, you find yourself. You acquire a sense of belonging while never belonging to anything. You leave behind fear, doubt, and misunderstanding. You pick up a sense of community, knowledge, and love. This is the best part about wandering. You may get lost, but you always find yourself along the way. I now wholly and completely love having a problem of needing to experience more. It makes me challenge myself to understand and appreciate people in ways that I previously thought I couldn’t. I want to make my life as full of adventures as possible; I never, ever want to stop wandering.