Uncovering the Hidden Motives: Psychologists Discuss the Unconscious Drives Pushing You to Constant Home Relocation Browsing
The compulsive desire to move homes, often referred to as "permanent vagabond syndrome" or "location chasing," may be driven by various psychological factors. A study titled "Geography, psychology and the 'Big Five' personality traits: Who moves, and over what distances, in the United Kingdom?" found a correlation between extroversion and moving frequency, suggesting that those who are more outgoing may be more prone to moving homes.
The need for novelty and stimulation is one such factor. Some individuals may crave new environments as a way to escape boredom, routine, or dissatisfaction with their current circumstances. However, this temporary relief often does not address the root cause of discontent.
Moving can also serve as a means to avoid unresolved personal, relational, or emotional issues. Relocating may offer the illusion of a "fresh start," suggesting that a new place will magically solve underlying problems.
Perfectionism and discontent can also fuel the desire to move. Perfectionistic tendencies can lead to a constant search for a "better" or "ideal" home that ultimately remains elusive.
Some individuals may fear becoming too settled or attached, associating stability with vulnerability or loss of freedom. This can result in an urge to move before roots are established.
Social comparison and digital influences can exacerbate the desire to move. Exposure to idealized depictions of homes and lifestyles on social media can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and drive a belief that happiness lies in another location.
Underlying anxiety or depression can distort one’s perception of their environment, making it seem like moving will resolve mental health challenges, when in fact these issues often follow the individual to the new residence.
To counteract the compulsive desire to move, individuals can focus on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral strategies to cultivate contentment in their current residence. Mindfulness and gratitude practices, addressing underlying emotional issues, building and strengthening local connections, home improvement and personalization, reducing social media consumption, establishing routines and rituals, cognitive restructuring, and professional support can all help individuals find contentment at home.
Daren Banarse, a senior psychotherapist, warns against the "geographical cure" fallacy, where people believe that changing their external environment will resolve internal struggles. He explains that the brain's pursuit of novelty can lead to a dopamine treadmill, causing a constant search for new surroundings.
Dr. Ashwini Nadkarni, MD, a psychiatrist, suggests that personality traits, such as extroversion, can influence the frequency of moving house. She advises that the feeling of needing more will pass, and taking a pause to breathe can help individuals learn to survive the feeling of wanting something different without acting on it.
[1] Shuttleworth, I., Stevenson, C., Bjarnason, Þ., & Finell, E. (2015). Geography, psychology and the 'Big Five' personality traits: Who moves, and over what distances, in the United Kingdom? Journal of Environmental Psychology, 45, 141-148. [4] Banarse, D. (2019). The psychology of moving house: Understanding the compulsive desire to move and how to break free. Psychotherapy in Australia, 29(3), 231-238.
- The decor of the living room can greatly impact a person's sense of satisfaction at home, offering an opportunity for DIY art projects to add personal touches and combat feelings of restlessness due to the color scheme or lack of stimulation.
- In the kitchen, a well-planned flooring design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also contributes to an overall sense of organization, potentially alleviating the need for a move driven by a desire for a cleaner or more functional space.
- The field of interior design offers resources and guidance on creating a home environment that caters to one's personal needs, helping to address the root causes of dissatisfaction and promote contentment without requiring a move.
- In the realm of self-development and personal-growth, understanding the psychological factors driving the urge to move can lead to more effective coping mechanisms, such as practicing mindfulness, gratitude, and cognitive restructuring, thus curbing the need to relocate.
- The science of health and wellness emphasizes the importance of maintaining mental health, and recognizing that moving may not solve underlying emotional challenges can help individuals focus on addressing those issues appropriately, contributing to overall well-being.
- Furthermore, embracing educational opportunities and experiential learning, such as workshops on home improvement or mental health awareness, can provide valuable skills and knowledge, enriching one's life and fostering a deeper sense of contentment in their current residence.
