We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sylwia Oles. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Sylwia, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Wandering is a part of my identity. When I first came to the U.S. as a young adult, I was simply curious about the world and wanted to experience everything. I didn’t have a clear path or one true calling to follow. My interests have evolved over the years, and I adapt as I go. You could say that I’m always wandering.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Sylwia. I’m a travel blogger with a 9-to-5 job. I’m originally from Poland but currently live in Indiana. I blog in both English and Polish, inspiring working professionals to fit more travel into their lives by sharing destination guides, itineraries, and adventure tips. My blog focuses on the outdoors — I cover mostly U.S. destinations but also share international ones.
Since becoming a dog mom in 2021, my travels have shifted more toward dog-friendly destinations. Over the past few years, I’ve started bringing my dog on my trips more frequently. As a new dog mom, I quickly realized how many restrictions exist when it comes to where dogs can go — even in outdoor spaces. I now do a lot more research before going anywhere. Since flying with dogs can be challenging, I’m more likely to hop in the car and drive wherever the road takes me, so my dog can come too. Because there aren’t many resources for people who want to travel with their pets, I hope to help fill that gap through my blog.
I realize that we’re in the age of AI, and many people depend on it to plan their trips instead of doing research on their own. I’m very much a visual person, and I often get inspired by photography. I also read travel blogs because they tell stories that spark my curiosity about new places — and they share insider tips you simply can’t find anywhere else.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
There wasn’t just one direct influence. I learned work ethic from my dad. My college professors helped me recognize my strengths and guided my career path. And every day, my dog teaches me about the simple joys of life.
With each relationship, I learn something new about myself. I see it as part of growing up — we’re constantly discovering who we are, whether people give us direct feedback or not. Sometimes, we learn the most from our silent teachers.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve taken a break from my blog, but I’m slowly coming back to it. I’ve already updated my About page to reflect my new direction and added a Resources page to help my readers plan their trips — something they often ask for. Even though I stepped away from blogging, I never stopped traveling and look forward to sharing my new adventures on the blog.
Having a side gig can be very time-consuming, especially when you’re running everything yourself. If you’re trying to expand and reach new audiences without seeing much ROI, it can easily lead to burnout. I reached a point where I was focusing too much on social media growth and forgetting that my blog was the reason I started in the first place. I also decided to prioritize my personal life and the relationships that matter most to me.
Documenting has always been a big part of my identity, which is why I decided to come back to blogging — along with the encouragement I received from readers who wanted me to keep sharing my adventures. I love hearing from them and truly appreciate the comments they leave on the blog and the private messages they send. It means a lot.
Taking a break gave me the chance to recharge and redefine my priorities. I still want to document our travels in a meaningful way to help my readers, but I also hope to empower dog parents to bring their pups on adventures with them — because dogs deserve to see the world too.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Family has always been important to me. I look for jobs that offer work-life balance, so I have time for my loved ones and to pursue my passions outside of work. Even though I sometimes lose track of time working on projects I’m passionate about, I always make time for the people who matter.
That includes my family in Poland, whom I visit every year, and my pup, who brings joy to my daily life. Moving to another culture hasn’t changed who I am at my core.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
For me, it comes down to work ethic. I’ve always been tough on myself and a bit of a perfectionist. Even when I get praised, I usually find something I can improve on. That probably comes from growing up in a culture where feedback tends to be more direct.
Over the years, I’ve had to train my brain to focus more on strengths and positive feedback — especially living in the Midwest, where people are generally more encouraging. It’s been a learning curve, but it’s also made me a more balanced person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://curiouswanderess.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curious_wanderess/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curiouswanderess
Image Credits
All images are my own.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
