Charting the Unwritten: Taylor Smith’s Journey Through Life and Words
1
2
0
The tension between ambition and authenticity, between striving to make something of ourselves and staying true to who we really are, between us and the others, is like a pendulum swinging between two opposing forces—ambition pulls us forward, while authenticity tethers us to who we are. The balance is delicate, and the slightest shift can send us careening off course. Taylor Smith, our guest on this episode of Uncharted: Your Sidekick for Life, embodies this tension beautifully.
Taylor, a Gen Zer charting the unpredictable waters of early adulthood, is a writer, a seeker of meaning, and a vibrant force of nature who embraces life with curiosity, like a writer flipping to a fresh page, pen in hand, ready to craft a story that’s yet to be written—unpredictable, vivid, and entirely her own.
“I started writing when I was eight years old,”
Taylor shares, recalling her fifth-grade assignment inspired by Emily Dickinson’s “Hope is the thing with feathers.” Her poem, scribbled without pretension, caught the attention of her teacher, who called her mom to say, “There’s something here. Encourage her.” And encourage her they did.
That single moment, a teacher’s belief, became the spark for a lifelong love of words.
Fast-forward to today, and Taylor’s story of determination unfolds like a novel with unexpected twists.
Born and raised just outside of Chicago, she grew up in the same house her entire life. A self-described overachiever, she threw herself into school with a rigor that would make Hermione Granger look lazy. Triple-majoring in journalism, news writing, and telecommunications, with a minor in creative writing at Ball State University, Taylor’s college years were a blur of textbooks and deadlines. But the real story came after she graduated—when she realized that, despite her stellar resume, the job market was more of a jungle than a path.
“I applied to over 100 jobs,” she says, describing the eerie silence that followed each submission. It’s a situation many of us know too well—the haunting self-doubt that creeps in when you pour your soul into applications only to be met with rejection or worse, nothing at all. But here’s the thing about Taylor: she didn’t give up.
She reached out to mentors, leaned on her network, and eventually landed her dream job—a role that combines her love for writing with her passion for travel.
“I’m so grateful. I owe it all to my words.”
This is where the belief in mentorship as a cornerstone of growth takes center stage. Without the courage to reach out, she might have continued staring at an empty inbox, each unanswered email feeling like the tick of a clock, a haunting reminder of time slipping away.
Yet, as every story it isn't all triumph. Taylor candidly admits she struggles with pressure—most of it self-imposed. “I’ve always been my own worst critic,” she says, tracing it back to her third-grade report card filled with straight A's. That moment of pride morphed into a lifelong habit of tying her self-worth to achievement. But Taylor doesn’t sugarcoat the toll it’s taken.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m grading myself on things that don’t need grades.”
Her solution? A mix of reflection and connection.
“When I’m overwhelmed, I try to step outside myself, I ask, ‘If this were my sister or my best friend, what advice would I give them?’”
It’s a simple exercise—one that forces her to confront the harshness of her inner critic and replace it with compassion.Still, she admits, following her own advice often feels like trying to climb a mountain while carrying the weight of her own expectations.
But Taylor’s story doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Reflecting on her experiences, I shared some of my own thoughts with her. “Work-life balance isn’t about perfection,” I said. “It’s about starting small—a single healthy meal, a walk outside. Those little acts of self-care build momentum.” I also reminded her of the inevitability of change: “Nothing lasts forever. But every change is an opportunity to recalibrate and grow. Don’t fear it; lean into it.””
Taylor nods at these insights but raises questions that linger:
“How do you know when it’s the right time to change direction? What signs should you look for?” and “How do you balance taking care of yourself in simple ways, like working out and cooking, while maintaining a demanding job?”
She also speaks of her fear of the future—a fear shared by many in her generation. Economic challenges weigh heavily on Gen Z, with a rising cost of living and stagnant wages creating barriers to independence. According to Deloitte’s 2022 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey, nearly 45% of Gen Z respondents live paycheck to paycheck, and over a third worry about their ability to retire comfortably. Another study revealed that young professionals often feel trapped by financial stressors, with some experiencing a ‘vicious cycle’ of job-related and financial pressures. Taylor reflects on this, saying,
“The average age for Gen Zers to move out is creeping closer to their 30s. It’s scary to think about starting my own life when affording even the basics feels like such a daunting challenge.”
These concerns are compounded by financial stress that leaves many feeling stuck, questioning if they can achieve the lives they dream of in a world increasingly defined by uncertainty. It’s a set of queries that echo for all of us, especially in a world where the ground beneath us feels ever-shifting.
As the episode wraps, we’re left not with answers, but with a renewed sense of curiosity—a reminder that life’s questions are often better companions than its certainties.
In the spirit of reflection, I’ll leave you with this question:
When was the last time you paused, looked at your life from the outside, and asked yourself, “What would I tell someone I love to do?” And more importantly, when will you start listening to that advice?
P.S.: Taylor is an amazing writer.
You can explore her insightful work here: Taylor's Articles on Meetings Today. About Taylor Smith
Taylor joined Meetings Today magazine in May 2022 as a content developer, destinations and features and is the face behind the publication's column, "The Z: Planning for the Industry's Next Generation," which explores how to welcome, work with, understand and plan for the industry’s next wave of professionals, Gen Z.
In addition to writing about the meetings and events industry’s newest and youngest members, Smith also covers top and trending meetings destinations as well as topics including wellness, sustainability, incentives, new and renovated properties and industry trends for Meetings Today.
Since joining the team and starting her column, Smith has spoken at major industry events including IMEX America in Las Vegas, SITE Classic in Mexico, the 2024 Women in Tourism and Hospitality National Conference in San Diego, Meeting Professionals International's 2024 World Education Congress in Louisville and the 2024 CEMA Summit in Seattle.
She has been a featured guest on numerous industry podcasts including Dare To Interrupt, Adventures in Business Live! The Business of Meetings and Gen Z @ Work and now, she adds to her list Uncharted Your Sidekick for Life Podcast.
Listen to Uncharted Your Sidekick for Life Podcast
This blog was written by Anais Schmidt, one of the hosts of the Uncharted Podcast. Anais is also an aspiring musician. When not in her studio, she tours Europe with Monte Mai.
If you would like to join the conversation email us at anais@foundingup.com
Stay connected with us for the latest updates and stories of impact. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to be part of a movement that’s setting new benchmarks for success and collaboration.
But why stop at following? Dive deeper into our ecosystem by signing up on our website today. Your expertise could be the beacon that guides a young mind towards their calling, or perhaps, you’ll find the mentorship you’ve been seeking to catapult your ideas into reality.
Together, let’s create a legacy of innovation, mentorship, and success.
