---
title: Restless
description: Restless defined and explained.
---

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# Restless

## Restless defined and explained.

**Description:** Restless, constantly in search of greater excitement in the next activity or constant busyness. Rarely at peace or content with the current activity.

**Characteristics:** 

- Easily distracted and can get too scattered.
- Stays busy, juggling many different tasks and plans.
- Seeks excitement and variety not comfort or safety.
- Bounces (escapes) from unpleasant feelings very quickly.
- Seeks constant new stimulation.

**Thoughts:** 

- This isn’t fulfilling.
- This next thing has got to be more exciting.
- These negative feelings suck.
- I must shift my attention to something exciting.
- Why can’t anyone keep up with me?

**Feelings:** 

- Impatience with what is happening now.
- Wondering what is next.
- Fear of missing out on other more worthwhile experiences.
- Restless and wanting more and more options.
- Worried that focus on any unpleasant feeling will grow and become overwhelming.

**Justification Lies:**

- Life is too short.
- It must be lived fully.
- I don’t want to miss out.

**Impact on Self and Others:** 

- Underneath the surface of fun and excitement of the Restless is an anxiety based escape from being present to this moment’s full experience, which might include dealing with unpleasant things.
- The Restless avoids a real and lasting focus on the issues and relationships that truly matter.
- Others have a difficult time keeping up with the frenzy and chaos brought by the Restless and unable to build anything sustainable around it.

**Original Survival Function:**

- The Restless is a strategy to find constant new sources of excitement, pleasure, and self-nurturing.
- This could be associated with early life experiences with inadequate parental nurturing or painful circumstances.
- Restless indulgence not only provided substitute self nurturing, but also an escape from having to deal with anxiety and pain.

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