Why Restless Genes?

For most of my life I have loved change - whether it's in the form of new opportunities, traveling, meeting new people or seeking adventure.  Looking forward to the next challenge fills a void deep within me and settles my restlessness.  I also find that working for the same company for more than two years is difficult.   When boredom begins to set in, that is my cue to start looking for another job. Recently, I have begun to question why I'm like this.

My inspiration for learning more about this topic and connecting with other people stems from an article that was featured in the 125th anniversary issue of National Geographic.  The article, "Restless Genes" by David Dobbs, is a great introduction that explains what may cause some people to feel restless.  It also addresses why some people need to change their environment frequently and/or have the urge to explore.

According to the article, around 20% of the world's population share an amazing "adventure gene" known as DRD4-7R.  (I will write about this in more detail later).  Although I haven't been tested (yet) to see if I carry the DRD4-7R gene, I feel as though it runs through my blood. In recognizing the genetic component for a deep sense of change, I feel compelled to explore the topic and reach out to others, who share similar characteristics and urges.

My hope for this website is to provide the resources and connections that will celebrate the restlessness within us and increase our ability to thrive and be happy.  Whether you are a college student, parent, young adult, the CEO of a major corporation or live in the wild, this will be the place to connect, find stories and learn of opportunities to satisfy your wandering needs.