Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Smith.
Hi Sydney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My parents met at the Beach Comber located in Mission Beach, San Diego, in 1989. I am a Native Californian but spent the majority of my childhood in the Midwest. As a small child, I used to sit in my bedroom and look through old photos my parents stored away from their past life in San Diego. I remember manifesting the California dream at a young age.
After graduating from college in Wisconsin, I moved to California with no job. I applied to a Nanny agency out of LA to be placed to work with a celebrity family. After a long summer of trialing as a live-in nanny, I realized having my own space was essential to me. I came back to San Diego and started nannying for local families as a regular nanny (live-out nanny). My goal was to pay off my student loans and travel the world. I was confident that with this type of role, I would have more flexibility to travel. I was able to pay off my student loans in twenty-four months. Over the past six years, I have traveled to twenty different countries as a solo female traveler. As my nanny career slowly comes to an end and I am focusing on sharing my love for photography and essential oils.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! I went from living in a small farm town in Wisconsin to living in Southern California. As you can imagine that was a bit of a culture shock. I remember being fired from one of my first jobs, and at that time I thought my life was over. I totaled my car and hit someone else’s car. I have lost friendships along the way and have made questionable choices. As I have gotten older, I have learned that it is okay for people to grow apart. Not all friendships last forever and that is okay. I have learned many hard lessons, and some have been painful. These lessons have shaped me into the human that I am today.
Moving my body has always been important to me. Over the years I have gotten into the habit of eating clean and incorporating a solid exercise routine. This has helped me tremendously with my mental health and energy levels. I take at least one hour to myself each day to make sure I release those endorphins. Exercising has helped me cope with the many challenges I have faced throughout my early twenties.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The four international solo long-distance hikes I have accomplished in other countries. For example, The O Circuit in Patagonia, Base camp in Nepal, and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. I specialize in documenting rural parts of the world. I enjoy capturing portraits of others in remote places. I think what sets me apart from others is that most of my photos aren’t taken in San Diego.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Oh my goodness, there have been so many! Listening to my gut has been pretty valuable. If your body is telling you something isn’t right, it’s important to listen to it.
Contact Info:
- Email: sydneysmith0593@gmail.com
- Instagram: @sydney.adventures
Image Credits
Photos taken by: @jonkillz Edited by: @sydney.adventures
