WANDERLUST DEFINITION:A desire to explore, travel, and experience the unknown PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Eyes that are bright and engaged The head moving frequently to take in one’s surroundings Good posture (shoulders back, the chest out, etc.) Having a light step An upbeat expression and genuine smile Holding the head high Taking one’s time (stopping to smell the roses) Struggling with rules and guidelines Wanting to be outside rather than inside Spontaneity Friendliness Having an easygoing nature Introducing oneself first Being resourceful with one’s money (frugalness) A willingness to take risks Being able to prioritize well Open-mindedness to almost everything Taking road trips or excursions whenever the chance presents itself Avoiding too much planning Having no patience for fussy people Trying new things without feeling self-conscious Being always on the move rather than sitting or standing in place Spending time in nature (hiking, exploring, practicing photography, etc.) Revealing interest through questions:What is this? Where does that path go? Reading about other cultures, locations, ways of life, and self-development Being highly curious:I wonder what plants would grow at the top of a mountain? Frequently bringing travel into one’s conversations Becoming more animated when discussing adventures (moving one’s hands, smiling, etc.) Asking other people about where they’ve been and what they’ve experienced Being unmaterialistic and happily getting by with less Prizing experiences instead of things Seeking out like-minded people Being the first to try things Having an ever-expanding comfort zone Volunteering to be a guinea pig if doing so will provide a new experience Downplaying travel-related dangers to loved ones so they won’t worry Being independent (solving one’s problems, not worrying about what others think, etc.) Never second-guessing (because there are no wrong decisions, only experiences) Building deep and lasting relationships on the road Being forthright rather than secretive Encouraging loved ones to take a leap into the unknown Telling others about one’s travel experiences (and sometimes dominating the conversation) Living for today rather than planning for tomorrow Enjoying a place but not feeling possessive about it (being able to move on) Enjoying trying new foods Being sexually adventurous INTERNAL SENSATIONS: An expansive feeling in the chest (deep breathing) MENTAL RESPONSES: Always thinking about the next trip or experience An unquenchable desire to learn and grow Feeling antsy when one is stationary for too long (at work, where one lives, etc.) Heightened senses Having a strong imagination Creative problem solving ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Becoming highly empathetic Caring about the planet and becoming involved in advocacy Confidence that increases with every experience Feeling part of the world and something larger than oneself Obtaining wisdom through cultural exposure and experiences Becoming a globetrotter Knowing more than one language Blending the practices and traditions of other cultures into one’s own SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Surfing travel blogs and websites Collecting pictures of the places one wishes to visit in the future Studying other countries and cultures and sharing one’s learning with others Writing about adventure and discovery to have an outlet Buying a travel backpack just to have it close MAY ESCALATE TO:Anticipation,Elation,Satisfaction,Awe,Gratitude,Connectedness MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Disappointment,Dissatisfaction,Homesick ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Admire, anticipate, appreciate, behold celebrate, crave, dare, delight discover, dream, embark, excite explore, fascinate, grow, indulge join, launch, long, love marvel, plunge, shine, stir stun, taste, thrill, trek uncover, unfold, wander WRITER’S TIP:With more subtle emotions, a “tell” can be an effective way to show that your character is uncomfortable or out of their element. Set it up early with a bit more detail so readers will recognize its importance.