Today we’re exploring the Wanderer dating personality as Kait and JJ reveal why commitment is tough for them, how FOBO shows up, and what it means to date with true intentionality!
Introduction
Meet the Wanderer: Fun, Magnetic… and Not Ready to Settle Down
FOBO: The Fear of a Better Option
Emotional Intelligence vs. Emotional Health
When Wanderers Meet Overthinkers and Hopeless Romantics
Calling Wanderers Forward: From Casual to Committed
A Spiritual Reminder: Clarity is Kindness
Final Encouragement
Hiii HOD fam! We are back with another fire episode in our series on Dating Personalities, and today’s all about…the WANDERER. If you’ve ever been told “I like you, but I don’t know if I have peace from God about moving forward”—or maybe even told someone that yourself—then buckle up. We are DEEP diving into what makes the Wanderer tick, why commitment is so terrifying for them, and, most importantly, how to move toward healthy, intentional relationship. If you’re a self-proclaimed situationship specialist or you keep getting left ghosted by one, this one’s for you!!
Let’s start with the basics. Wanderers are the life of the party: endlessly flexible, magnetic, and full of fun-loving, “go with the flow” vibes. Dating for a Wanderer is an open field of sparks, possibilities, and connections. And if we’re being honest, a whole lot of situationships.
The Wanderer’s core fear? Being tied down. Every decision is filtered through the question: “Will this keep my options open, or will it box me in?” This is the person who has one foot in and one foot out, perpetually. If someone tells you “I just need peace from God before taking the next step,” Kait and JJ are here to break it to you: that’s not a message from above, that’s fear of commitment talking.
Sound familiar? That’s because FOBO (“Fear of a Better Option”) is practically the Wanderer’s middle name. The thought process is: “Saying yes to THIS person means I might miss out on someone better around the corner.” It shows up everywhere—from dodging commitment to saying “maybe” to Friday night plans just in case something more exciting pops up.
While the Wanderer loves connection and those initial sparks, as soon as things start getting real—expectations, deeper vulnerability, emotional needs—that’s when the pullback happens. You might hear things like “I’m not ready for something serious,” or “Let’s just see where it goes.” And before you know it, someone’s getting ghosted.
Here’s where things get sneaky: Wanderers seem emotionally intelligent. They’re curious, warm, inquisitive, and not afraid of a good conversation. But showing vulnerability isn’t the same as following through—and that’s the difference between being emotionally intelligent and being emotionally healthy.
Wanderers can open up, but the real challenge is what happens when the “honeymoon phase” fades and deeper work starts. Kait reminds us: emotionally healthy people don’t just talk about feelings; they work through them and stay present even when things get hard. Real love doesn’t suffocate or trap; it will stretch and grow you in ways that only commitment can bring.
If you’re a hopeless romantic or a chronic overthinker, dating a Wanderer can be a wild ride (and not always in a good way). Hopeless romantics crave intensity, the Wanderer offers ambiguity. Overthinkers want certainty, the Wanderer seeks freedom. Early on it feels magical and exciting—then you’re left spinning, wondering what changed.
For all my hopeless romantics, it’s not your imagination: Wanderers are often flirty (even if they claim it’s just being friendly!), and they're drawn to the chase more than the catch. When needs start showing up—yours OR theirs—the discomfort sets in.
Let’s keep it real. Commitment IS healthy, and relationships require choosing. Kait’s challenge to her younger self—and to every Wanderer in the dating scene—is this: You don’t have to settle, but you do have to choose. If you’re always looking for the next thrill, you might be missing true growth and deep intimacy right in front of you.
Wanderers: It’s time to move from fantasy to reality. Stop juggling options and start practicing intentionality. Date one person at a time, lean in when things get real, and resist the urge to bail at the first sign of discomfort.
JJ drops a truth bomb: “The Enemy thrives in ambiguity.” God calls us to clarity. Leaving people confused, leading them on, or avoiding DTRs isn’t just unkind—it’s unloving. But here’s the good news: your ability to connect quickly is a GIFT. When stewarded with purpose and vision, it can build the Kingdom in powerful ways… if you choose to use it well.
No shame, fam. God made you vibrant and charming for a reason. But the call is to steward that charisma for deep, intentional relationships. Take it low and slow. Be present, be honest, and focus on intentionality—especially in your dating life.
If you know you need help breaking free of wandering ways, check out the HOD resources: the Basics of Dating or the School of Dating mentorship. You don’t have to stay stuck in ambiguity. Healthy, committed love really is possible for you!
Go be the intentional you, Wanderer. We’re rooting for you!
Kait Tomlin is a best-selling author, speaker, popular relationship coach, and the founder of Heart of Dating. She helps thousands of men and women on their journeys through the conversations on the Heart of Dating Podcast, which launched in 2018.
Through her ministry, Kait’s mission is to empower both men and women to have the courage to own their story, walk in victory, thrive with purpose, and discover clarity and vision in their life and relationships. In her new book, Thank You for Rejecting Me: Transform Pain into Purpose and Learn to Fight for Yourself, Kait vulnerably shares how she grew through her deepest, darkest rejections and offers readers the tools to heal from the past, take back their power, and walk in strength, victory, and love into their future. Kait currently lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband JJ and their pups Lovey and Teddy. She loves sunshine, walks, Jesus, and lip syncing to Celine Dion.
JJ Tomlin is a missionary kid born in Belgium, originally from Tennessee, and currently residing in the OC. He currently works in Gaming/E-Commerce, enjoys watching his Tennessee Titans on Sundays with his Goldendoodle Teddy and loves working with Christian men to raise the bar in singleness and dating.
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