Travel–An Addiction or a Passion?

Can a person honestly be addicted to travel, like alcohol, cigarettes or gambling? Is wanderlust the needle of the nomadic junkie? Well, Brooke and I are not sure if neuroscientists and psychiatrists would concur, but there is definitely a euphoria that occurs as we hear the rhythmic clicks of the airplane seatbelts, and dopamine levels certainly elevate as a fresh stamp is pressed into our passports.

View of Cuba from our Flight to Grand Cayman

It is really a simple formula: the more we see, the more we realize we haven’t seen. Is that an addiction?…or perhaps just a passion? Looking up the definition of addiction, we found this:

Signs of someone with an addiction:

Changes in personality and behavior like a lack of motivation, irritability, and agitation. (Definitely when we haven’t traveled for more than a month)
Bloodshot eyes and frequent bloody noses. (From lack of sleep planning trips into the wee hours of the night)
Shakes, tremors, or slurred speech. (See above)
Change in their daily routines. (
Lack of concern for personal hygiene. (A trip to the spa would equal a train ticket from Rome to Venice).
Unusual need for money; financial problems. (Tutoring locally, teaching English online to Korean students, blogging, selling unused furniture–all to go towards our next trip)

Perhaps it’s just a euphemistic nuance depending on your wanderlust perspective.Either way, here are 10 signs that you may be a travel addict (have a healthy passion for broadening your horizons):

You spend all/most of your savings on travel.

2.You become restless and agitated if you don’t have a next trip planned.

3. Your junk drawers and wallet are filled with foreign currencies.

4. You have a strong desire to learn foreign languages because you know you will be using them in the near future.

5. Your favorite section of the library or book store is the travel section.

6. You put every purchase no matter how big or small on your frequent flyer credit card.

7. You watch the Travel Channel more than Netflix.

8. You are obsessed with adorning yourself with anything travel related.

9. You are in constant fear of time running out and not seeing all of the places on your bucket list.

10. You run a travel blog 🙂

So whether you believe we need to attend Travelers Anonymous, or you’re on team Passionate Traveler, our wish for you is that you follow your dreams, see the world and live with no regrets. Oh….and remember: