Wanderlust roughly translates to travel desire, that innate human feeling of wanting to roam around, as if hollering back to our nomadic origins. Even before the dawn of modern transportation, our ancestors were already moving around constantly for various reasons, the most fundamental of which was survival. Nowadays, this passion for travel still fuels the desire of one human being too many, but in addition to survival, there have been some notable additions to our repertoire of reasons as to why we board a plane or a ship and move from place to place.

New Culture

While physical borders are continuously under attack from the advances of globalisation, cultural frontiers still prove to be hard to break, and remain to be that mysterious force that lures tourists in. Each country has a unique culture, language, food, and endless attraction to share. Getting to know them better gives every one of us a new perspective of the world, looking from the outside in. Every new food your taste buds experience; every word in a new language that your brain retains; they just add to the already diverse collection of memories that form part of collective human consciousness.

New People

Most people you would be meeting in this lifetime would be coming from where you function as an individual daily. This is typical for everyone, but somehow gives a restricted outlook of a world limited to what you can perceive as an insider looking out. While it is your neighbour whom you would most likely be exchanging hellos with on a daily basis, it is that lovely British girl in Kathmandu or that brilliant lad you shared a bunk bed with in Montreal who would inspire you every day with anecdotes from a culture that is far different from yours. These friendships last a lifetime, and the added bonus of an outsider’s view looking is well worth it.

Educate Yourself

An insatiable travel desire does not only open doors to new destinations that would give you bragging rights. In effect, it also preps your mind for a life full of learning. Not everything is taught inside a classroom, and experience is the most efficient mentor. Your real world education starts the moment you step out of your door. If and when you find yourself in an airport not in your hometown, then an opportunity to learn about more of the world’s truths is waiting to be seized. You will gain new appreciation of your own life vis-à-vis the world around you. No amount of classroom learning can give that to you.

Find Yourself

Whether it is quarter life or midlife crisis you are suffering from is out of the question. Finding yourself in situations far beyond your comfort zone would lead a better understanding of yourself, your limitations, and your goals. That strong travel desire and travel symphony would definitely help you in evaluating what you need and what you want in this life by giving you options.