Why Some Genes Made You an Adventurer

When I withdrew from college sophomore year to travel the coast on a shoestring, friends back home thought I was crazy. They had stable routines and steady part-time jobs; they couldn’t fathom wandering from Texas to California with nothing but a backpack. But for me, the itch to explore was familiar. I felt trapped by schedule constraints and restless if I didn’t wake up in a new place every few weeks. In hindsight, I see it was more than a thrill-seeking habit. Research shows a genetic link—some of us carry a dopamine-driven variant that lowers our tolerance for routine and drives us to roam. Over the next decade, that same trait led me to live abroad, pivot careers, and launch startups. Each leap felt risky, yet my dopamine circuits rewarded me with exhilaration and rapid learning. That restless drive and a built-in sensitivity to rewards helped me adapt fast in every new city and culture. And although it’s left me craving novelty still, I’ve learned to channel it into creative projects and partnerships that balance my ever-seeking nature with steady frameworks.

You’ve traced the roots of your restless spirit—now you can guide it. Jot down the biggest leaps you’ve taken and spot those novelty-seeking signatures. Next, pick a small routine you resist and commit to tackling it all week, just to test where your dopamine thrives. Finally, buddy up with someone who prefers stability: let them shore up your plans while you keep the next adventure on the horizon. By pairing your genes’ strengths with practical guardrails—and a partner who complements your style—you’ll feel energized yet grounded on every new path.