As a 40-year-old virgin, journalist Amanda McCracken realized she was addicted to longing for love. When she began investigating the neurological, psychological, and cultural forces that get us hooked on anticipation, she realized she wasn’t alone. In this inspiring and informative talk, Amanda uses her personal story and research to illustrate how longing can become self-sabotaging and how to change your patterns to realize your dreams, whether it’s a relationship or a trip to a foreign land.

Amanda McCracken is a journalist passionate about experiences that highlight the intersection of wellness, travel, and relationships. Her work has been published in The New York Times, Washington Post, Guardian, Vogue, National Geographic, Elle, NPR, Outside, ESPN, and Runner’s World. The BBC and Katie Couric have interviewed her about longing. For 15 years, McCracken worked as an instructor at CU’s International English Center. Originally from Cincinnati, Boulder has been home since 2003. When McCracken’s not writing, she’s caring for her daughter, running trails with her husband, or editing her podcast The Longing Lab. McCracken is also a certified massage therapist and triathlon coach. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx