I'm always feeling the urge to drop everything and just go

Runaway by Galantis came to mind when I read your thread title

It's not like my life sucks, I'm actually a cheery, easy going guy. Turned 20 a month ago, chose to not go Uni a year ago (studied art in college) since I have no idea what to do and will just end up dropping out wasting money and time, got a few jobs along the way currently out of one but hold another where I invigilate exams, good pay. But I have always felt the need to literally pack up some things and go off somewhere. It's killing me inside cause I can't get the thought out. I've never worried about career aspirations or whether I'd end up successful in that aspect, never really had any idea on what career I would aspire too TBH.

Anyway, have any of you felt this before? The urge to simply drop whatever you have going for you and travel, become a nomad or whatever. I literally day-dream constantly of living up North roaming, carrying the necessities and a couple sentimental things like my guitar. I know a lifestyle like that isn't glamorous but I still believe it's worth going for it. I'm hungry for it for some reason and I've felt this for a long time, it's just gotten stronger after I left college a year ago.

What do you guys think? Don't know if this is the right place to post or not.

A lot of people go through phases such as these from time to time

Kinda thought it was a phase but dude, I honestly remember feeling the same since I hit my early teens, not like this though. It's probably because I have a lot of time on my hands so I can't stop thinking. But still, that idea of a "nomadic" lifestyle or something similar is insanely comforting to me. I keep thinking it's irrational to follow it though.

Speak to your GP about counselling?

Your 20 years old and you will never get this time back, do these things while you can and have nothing to loose. You need this type of experience, go out and do it now or you will regret it later in life.

I've actually done that, and still feel the urge to do it nowadays, except I am already at university, which sadly has brought more distress than joy, at least for the past year.

Earliest time I can recall was when I was 8. I went with my grandparents hiking after I recovered from meningoencephalitis (essentially dodged death) wanting to die, so I estranged myself from them. They found me after 2 days again, thanks to the village hounds.

I did something similar when I was 17, except I knew my destination. I couldn't stand dealing with some issues that I remember boiling 5 eggs, packing some ham sandwiches, 2 bottles of water and plenty of apples, some clothes and soap and I just ****ed off, to my mother's despair.
I had little to any money, so I couldn't afford any transport, so I just walked. I ended up walking 40kms until my mother traced me after 2 days. 10 more and I would have reached my grandparents, which was my intention. They lived a pretty recluse and tranquil lifestyle. Modest, but it had all I needed at the time (even now, I'd argue).

Something of the sort happened last year too. One night my anxiety was so overwhelming that I packed a suitcase and took a nightbus up to nottingham (the last stop). I've only been in that city once, so I had little idea about the place whatsoever, but there was something in that that was reassuring; kind of "losing myself in my surroundings", if you can call it that way. One of my old friends actually found me there, roaming around and drove me back after 2 days.

I still feel this compulsion every now and then, but I'm just trying to act more mature with my life and all that I'm facing. There's also a "living anchor" that's keeping me still now, so I guess I wouldn't consider an escapade alone now, if I needed to disconnect with the world

I was pretty aimless and wanderlust-y when I was your age. I'd say just do it. Pack up a bag, get on a coach to a new town and sign on with an agency to work. Stop in a hostel or campsite until you find a room. Try life in a new city for a bit, and see what happens.

The only thing I will ask is that you let your family and friends know you are OK.

The modern lifestyle sucks for most of us (work, work, boring work) so that's understandable. Have you considered joining the army or something? Like a paratrooper maybe? idk