8 Ways to Deal with Wanderlust

Feeling a little lost in life right now?

Maybe you’re feeling that strange urge to escape your current reality — that deep wanderlust you can’t ignore. Then stay right where you are, because this is exactly what my post is about: 8 Ways to Deal with Wanderlust!

A little short story: longing for more

Waking up at 6 AM, the alarm going off again and again, until the urgency hits and I know it’s time to get up if I don’t want to be late. It’s Monday, partly cloudy and windy, while people are rushing to get to work. Another Monday, another quick cup of tea, another day at work. Sitting on the bus, with my AirPods in, I find myself wondering what life would be like if I escaped my current reality.

Since I left Australia – the year of living abroad – I’ve felt a certain tiredness, a feeling of missing something, a longing for something I can’t quite reach. Starting my gap year, I was 100% sure it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I always thought I would go there once. I always thought I would have a year for myself once. But now… now I feel like I need it again. I feel like I need to go back. But it’s good to be home, isn’t it? After dealing with homesickness, shouldn’t I be happy to be back home? What are these feelings, and why do I feel so uncomfortable with my life?

The second I hear the automatic voice telling me it’s my stop, I’m back. Back in reality, on my way to work. I jump off the bus, squeeze through the crowd, turn left, then right. Keys in hand, a few fake smiles, the chip beeping at the door. And here I am. The day goes on, just like every other single day.

(God how I love writing short stories and POVs. If you enjoy this type of writing, let me know!)

Before talking about wanderlust, I want to define what it actually means.

In German, there are two very similar words that mean the exact opposite: homesickness (Heimweh) and wanderlust (Fernweh). Today we’re talking about „Fernweh“.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, wanderlust is „the wish to travel far away and to many different places.” And that’s exactly what I want to talk about today.

If you want to read more about the opposite feeling – homesickness – read my last blog post: „7 Ways to Deal with Homesickness“. To get there klick here -> 7 Ways to Deal with Homesickness

I’ve been thinking a lot about ways of how to deal with wanderlust. I remember when I wrote my homesickness post, it took me one minute  to come up with the exact list I wanted to share. I just imagined myself back on the other side of the world and thought about what helped me get better.

Now it’s quite different. I’m still in the same place, dreaming about getting away – I’m currently experiencing wanderlust. But don’t worry, I feel like I figured it out pretty well and now will show you ways of how to deal with wanderlust.

I created two categories for dealing with wanderlust, one without leaving home, and the second one with leaving the current life behind.

Finding adventure without leaving home

(if you’re stuck at home and still dream about feeling alive and seeing the world)

1. Change your Mindset

Sometimes, being stuck in that heavy wanderlust feeling is actually connected to an overall negative mindset about your current situation. Maybe you’re not able to travel right now. Maybe you don’t want to move away because of your work, your studies, your friends, or your family – and that’s okay. Whatever is keeping you home, start to appreciate what you have. Shift your point of view and focus on the little things that make your life beautiful. You’ve already achieved so much just by being where you are right now.

Sometimes this wanderlust feeling appears from an outside influence, like people on social media showing their story and what exciting life they live. Stop comparing and always remember:

„If you’re happy doing what you’re doing, then nobody can tell you you’re not successful.“ – Harry Styles

2. Build new Routines and Rituals

Now it’s time to change up your daily routine. Focus on what you have in the moment, and ask yourself: what small changes could make me feel better right now? Start by writing down your usual week and see where you can add more time just for yourself.

There is so much you can do – from little changes like reducing phone time, reading a book, or starting your day with a short meditation, to bigger steps like finding a regular way to stay active (swimming, running, yoga…). You could also meet new people by joining connecting groups (in Vienna, there are even public groups that bring people together! – a blog post about this is following in the future, as I’m currently actively working on it), or finally start learning something you’ve always wanted to – whether that’s a new language, flowers science, or trying new recipes.

3. Focus on Future Plans

Those little weekly changes are already small adventures to look forward to. But working or studying becomes even easier when you have a bigger goal ahead – something exciting like a trip, a concert, or a special event you’re counting down to.

What I would like to recommend you:
Stop living by „I’ll do it, when you do it.“
Start living by „We can do it together – but I’ll do it anyway“.

4. Make a Vision Board

It doesn’t have to be New Year to set new goals in life. Whenever you feel like you need a little reset, make yourself a Vision Board. Take your time and think what you want to achieve within a specific timeline – for example, within a year. It’s really important that these goals are achievable and truly something you want to reach. You can write down a list, print pictures and glue them onto paper, or create an online board.

I made mine (ironically) right at New Year’s Eve. This little art piece hangs right by my desk and I see it every single day. It’s been four months now and every time I look at it, I realise how much I’ve already achieved this year. It makes me proud and reminds me how much I’ve grown.

Preparing for a new adventure

(if you’re ready to actually make a move and leaving your current life behind, whether it’s about moving away or travelling the world)

5. Fight the What If’s

As a chronic over-thinker, the real challenge is fighting the „what if’s“. These doubts appear, one after another. I still struggle with my what if’s every single day, and honestly, I don’t exactly now how to work against them. But I do know that it’s important to recognise them. Recognise when they take over your life and push you into decisions your heart didn’t want to choose.

There are two sentences that help me choose against my what if’s:
– Sometimes you have to do things scared.
– Ich leb’ grade zum ersten Mal. (I’m living for the first time now.) – Unsicher, by Nina Chuba

6. Start a Travel Diary

You’ve now decided to follow that wanderlust feeling and start the journey you always dreamed about. Now it’s time to create a travel diary. It has been my dearest companion while travelling, and it might even become a bigger part of my next journey. Besides all the organisation and daily entries, as well as all the little things I collected and glued inside, it also has a deeper connection to wanderlust. Before you leave, write down why you chose this trip and why you wanted to get away. Document your life, your growth, and how you feel in the different places. At some point, you might even figure out what it is you’re truly longing for.

7. Set your Goals

Start actively working on a plan. Wanderlust often makes me feel like I want to go far away – anywhere – but that feeling alone won’t actually bring me anywhere if I don’t take action. Write down the places you want to see, the vibe you want to experience and start getting into the detailed planning. Questions like finances, the right visa, accommodation options, and transportation lead to the fun part: activities and how to meet new people. Planning is not only a confidence boost, it’s also a big part of a reality check and the safety you’ll start to appreciate during your travels. This kind of planning is the key to achieving your goals.

8. Prepare to Deal with Homesickness

I don’t know if I struggle so much because I’m just learning how to live life, but either the feeling of wanderlust, homesickness, or sometimes both, are keeping me awake at night. And it sucks. That’s why I want to share all of this with you and show you how to deal with those feelings. Because once you win the fight against constant wanderlust, homesickness might show up again. Feeling emotions is beautiful, but sometimes, they can really restrict your journey. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to deal with them. If you want to be prepared for the feeling of homesickness, just click the following title – it will lead you straight to my other blog post: 7 Ways to Deal with Homesickness

A little extra I’m not able to add to the homesickness post yet, is the Spotify Playlist I prepared for this post. Check it out and listen to it while reading. It’s perfect for setting the mood! spotify.feelin’homesick.com

Either way wanderlust can be a really tricky, but also beautiful feeling. This world has so much to explore, so why not take the opportunity and reach for your dreams?