Last May, I published a letter to my fellow wanderlusts about what it is like to have, “a strong desire or urge to wander or travel and explore the world.”

Being a wanderlust has its pros and its cons. I included a link to that letter in the previous sentence, so if you feel compelled to, I encourage you to read it before you read this one.

Now, three months later, I have explored more about this topic and gained more insight. Therefore, I will consider this article a Part II to my previous one.

I realize now there is a dangerous component to the life of a wanderlust: destination addiction.

Beware of Destination Addiction—a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is in the next place, the next job, and with the next partner. Until you give up the idea that happiness is someplace else, it will never be where you are.

Robert Holden couldn't have said it better.

Destination addiction is an unhealthy obsession with what lies ahead. It stems from discontentment with the current situation that God has placed us in. It is not always a new location that we are obsessed with getting to. Sometimes it is new friendships, a new boyfriend/girlfriend, a new job, or a new home. We are desperate for change, because we believe that we will finally be happy once we reach the next destination. This comes from our flawed human nature, which desires things of this world to fill the space that God should occupy.

Happiness depends more on inward disposition than on outward circumstances. – Benjamin Franklin

A constant search to fill happiness with trivial things is a waste of time because it is always within our reach. A search for real, non-trivial happiness will eventually lead us to God because He is the only true source of ultimate, unfading happiness.

Philippians 4:11–13 reads, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Those verses are part of a letter to the Philippians from the apostle Paul, who experienced all different phases of life, and learned to be content no matter what his circumstances were. Paul was able to come to the realization that Christ is the ultimate source of contentment, and in the referenced passage above, he is urging the Philippians to realize this good news as he did.

Just as he did, I urge wanderlusts and non-wanderlusts alike to realize the same good news about contentment. God provides a peace that sustains and brings happiness, despite your outside surroundings. When you have this peace, you will realize true contentment. A flourishing and happy life doesn't stem from new experiences, new sights, or new opportunities; flourishing life stems from the ability to have constant peace in Christ, no matter where He does or He doesn't send you.

There is nothing wrong with feeling a greater pull to other places than other people might feel. It is okay to desire adventure. If you feel the natural tendency to wander like I do, then by all means, wander. Just remember above all that happiness can't be found through newness or adventure. True and pure happiness is constant, and it is always with you.