Do you ever think that sometimes your sense of wanderlust comes from your ancestors?

At one point in time, all humans were hunter-gatherers. Wild creatures roaming endlessly, looking for food, shelter, and perhaps a mate. It obviously didn’t stay this way for everyone, and yet for some cultures in the world nomadism is still a way of life.

It begs the question though: if human beings didn’t have a natural inclination to always be on the move, would we have ever left Africa to spread around the rest of the world?

For so many people, living a nomad life is a dream. One way or another, that spark of need to move and explore has been ignited, and the desire to go anywhere but here looms large within us.

We might be inclined to believe that wanderlust and nomadism are inherently part of the human condition. Yet we cannot forget that we are also social creatures. Even our gathering fore-fore-fore fathers and hunting foremothers did not wander alone.

A close up photo of an old globe, centered on Malaysia. The colors are pastel pinks, blues, and purples. The equator is a thick golden band.Photo byCHUTTERSNAPonUnsplash

The Benefits of a “Tribe”

It sounds a bit “Instagram Girl Boss” to preach the art of building a tribe, doesn’t it?

Yet in order to succeed as a nomad, it is imperative. I truly believe that my biggest mistake in the early halcyon days of my digital nomadism was isolation.

At first, I traveled with my boyfriend. Yet after two months he left to find himself (link). I allowed this to depress me, and I stopped making plans or reaching out to those like me.

During the months after traveling solo and staying in hostels, I spiraled deeper into despair. I would feel great when I was around humans, for the most part. Yet I didn’t feel truly understood. I didn’t trully connect.

It was only when I specifically started reaching out to other digital nomads, and ex-pats that I started feeling a sense of belonging again. As fun as it can be hanging out with people on vacation, those are shallow relationships with people who don’t quite get what you’re going through.

Other people did not cure my problems. However, having friends and a sense of community, meeting people new to the City with apartments of their own, networking and opening up to others who knew what it felt like to leave their family behind in another country for months if not years instead of a few days— that was what finally gave me the energy to get my life back in order.

Extroverts may know this already but it helps to be reminded. Even if you are an introvert who thrives on being alone, you cannot succeed completely isolated.

A blonde woman sits on a rock in front of a river, in the middle distance are green pines; in the far distance towering silver mountains.Photo byJonas AllertonUnsplash

Born to Roam: Uncovering the Genetic Basis of Wanderlust.

Maybe The Boss was right and we really were born to run, baby.

Believe it or not, but that title wasn’t all click-bait. There is actually research that suggests that certain genetic factors may contribute to our desire to explore.

One such factor is the DRD4–7R gene, a variant of the DRD4 gene involved in the dopamine system of the brain. Guys this gene is absolutely wild. Without going full science nerd, I’ll just tell you that this variant is associated with increased novelty-seeking behavior, risk-taking, and curiosity.

Individuals with this gene variant are thought to be more inclined towards exploration and adventure. Which in turn might have provided evolutionary advantages by encouraging migration and the spread of human populations across the globe. Sound like anyone you know?

Now keep in mind, this gene has only been found in about 20% of the human population. However, National Geographic highlighted that people with the DRD4–7R gene might be more prone to:

• seeking novelty and;
• taking risks

These traits are actually quite beneficial for survival in new and unpredictable environments. This gene variant’s influence on behavior underscores the complex interplay between our genetic makeup and our innate drive to explore, adapt, and thrive in diverse settings.

That means that hey, maybe you did get your wanderlust from your ancestors. Wild, eh?

And yet…humans need each other.

There have been countless studies to back up the fact that even the most introverted of human beings need other human beings to function.

Take Robert Waldinger’s TED Talk on the The Harvard Study of Adult Development. This study is one of the longest-running studies on adult life, this study began in 1938 and has followed 724 men for over 80 years. It examines various aspects of their lives, including relationships, health, and happiness.

The Findings? Well, one of the key findings is that close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives. These ties protect people from life’s discontents, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes.

Another example is the study The Influence of Social Relationships on Mortality Risk by Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, conducted in 2010. This meta-analytic review examined data from 148 studies to understand the influence of social relationships on mortality risk.

The Findings? The results showed that individuals with stronger social relationships had a 50% increased likelihood of survival compared to those with weaker social ties. This effect was consistent across age, gender, initial health status, and cause of death.

Those are insane results. Essentially due to these studies we know that:

• people who are loved;
• people are social;
• people who form close bonds of any kind with other humans;

live longer, feel better, and are happier overall than humans who do not.

Essentially: loneliness kills.

A younger black man sits in a dark room, next to a window. His face is hidden in his hands, and he looks quite sad.Photo bySean BoydonUnsplash

What does this mean for nomads, ex-pats, and other travelers?

As nomads, ex-pats, and travelers, it can be easy to focus solely on the adventure, the new experiences, and the freedom that comes with constant movement. Hell, I am guilting of often doing the same thing.

However, what these studies remind us is that while our desire to roam the world may very well be genetic, that our well-being depends heavily on our social connections. While the allure of new destinations is strong, ensuring that we build and maintain meaningful relationships is absolutely crucial.

For digital nomads and frequent travelers, this means actively seeking out communities of like-minded individuals. It means participating in local events, joining online groups, and making an effort to stay in touch with friends and family back home. The transient lifestyle should not preclude deep connections; rather, it should encourage us to be even more intentional about fostering them.

Where is the beauty in seeing the world, if we don’t actually engage with it?

In essence, while our wanderlust might drive us to explore the far corners of the world, our need for social connections should anchor us, providing the support and fulfillment necessary to truly enjoy the journey.

Next time you find yourself in a new city or country, remember to prioritize building your tribe — your happiness, health, and longevity might just depend on it.