Wanderlust is defined as a strong desire to travel. In simple terms, instead of lusting after money, popularity, fame, people, or success, those who are correlated with this word lust to wander. It’s a beautiful way of describing a free spirit—someone who is constantly itching to experience new sights, people, and cultures. This word has been fused into my brain from the moment I first heard it. Not only does it fit perfectly into who I am, but it's something that I strive to live by. If you’re anything like me, you have dreams and aspirations to see the world—not through pictures or videos, but through experience.
It began with the typical urge of an adolescent to get away from my hometown. Being from Michigan, winters were brutal, and I longed to escape to someplace warm. Then there was the fact that I grew tired of my surroundings. Same people, same stores, same roads, different day. I began to think to myself, the world is so big with so much to explore. How is it fair that I’m stuck here? With this thought constantly present in the back of my mind, the instant I got my driver’s license, I was gone. I’d drive to a nearby lake, a trail, or the next town over just to get out of the house. Eventually, I started taking miniature road trips with my friends, such as visiting one of the Great Lakes for the day or making the trek to the county fair. During my last few years of high school, my parents hardly ever saw me. I was always out looking for something new to experience or explore with my friends.
I had always thought moving away to college—especially to a different state—would satisfy my constant craving for new encounters. However, I've found that since arriving at school, my wanderlust has increased tremendously. Attending college introduces you to so many people from all different places, each carrying a story of what it’s like to live in their hometowns. As a result, I longed to expand my borders.
I dream of traveling because it's an escape. Escape from responsibility, stress, and boredom. To me, traveling means freedom. I also firmly believe that it improves character. Experiencing so many different cultures, people, food, places, sights, nature, and life in general builds confidence, independence, and so many other excellent qualities. Hardly anyone has ever returned from a trip and regretted going. It's an experience that can be beneficial for everyone, and I desire to experience it myself.
The world has so many incredible places to offer. Ever since I was small, I've wanted to visit Paris and see the Eiffel Tower, but now that I’m older, I want to see so much more. I long to walk along the Great Wall of China. I want to drive through the Italian countryside on a sunny day. I desire to take a tour of the Outback and scuba dive through the coral reefs in Australia. I dream of backpacking through mountains in New Zealand, hiking to waterfalls in Jamaica, standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, eating sushi in Japan, sleeping under the stars in Holland, and visiting so many other beautiful places. The world is meant to be seen, explored, and experienced, and I want to do it all.
Perhaps someday soon, I'll decide to study abroad, or at the very least save enough money for a vacation. However, I know this will only encourage me to travel more. For now, switching back and forth between my small college town in Ohio and my hometown in Michigan will have to do. But the combination of a free spirit and wanderlust can only hold me in one place for so long. I am confident that my future holds numerous incredible journeys, and I'm eager for them to begin.
