The Honest Optimist is a space for the parts of life nobody puts in their highlight reel. The becoming, the backsliding, the belly laughs, the faith that shows up anyway. If you’re in the middle of figuring out who you actually are and trying to choose the bright side while you do it, you’re in the right place.

“Okay cool… but who are you, lady?”

I’m Syd (government name: Sydney). Twenty-something writer, washed-up athlete, recovering perfectionist, award-winning conversationalist, and self-proclaimed comedian who finds joy in connecting with people and sparking connection between them.

Born and raised in Kansas, now fully a transplant in Florida. Living proof that optimism and humidity can coexist.

When I’m not moonlighting as a Peyton Sawyer wannabe on Substack, I work in the medical device world in a career that lets me do what I love most: care for and connect with people. Outside of that, you’ll find me in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes, planning my next trip, at a workout class with a friend, testing cold brews (splash of whole milk, dash of cinnamon, always), or back on the family farm in the Midwest where the only real debate is whether the wine gets enjoyed with a view of the fields or in the barn with a dartboard. We always end up doing both, and my aim never gets better.

The Honest Optimist started because I needed a place to write about life as it actually is. The messy parts, the funny parts, the parts where you’re trying really hard and it still isn’t working yet. This is that place.

“What’s in it for me?”

Weekly essays on becoming, community, and the slow, funny work of choosing the good stuff anyway. No self-help column, no vibe board. Just honest writing from someone who believes people are good, we should travel often, small joys matter, and laughing at yourself while you figure it out is half the fun.

Why subscribe?

You deserve a corner of the internet that feels human. Gratitude and laughter are the two main pillars here. You are the third.

Free subscribers get: Weekly essay + public Notes

Paid subscribers get: Audio on all posts, a mid-week “What I’m Sitting With” post, reflection guides for select essays, and paid-only comment threads where the real conversations happen

Founding members get: Everything above, plus a monthly behind-the-essay voice note and early access before posts go public