Welcome—I’m Tracy Smith (formerly Sikorski), writer of the forthcoming memoir
The Purpose of Getting Lost: A Story of Finding Myself.
Across more than 30 countries, five continents, and countless moments of risk, reflection, and rediscovery, travel has been my way of listening deeply to the world—and to myself.

I didn’t set out to collect miles or passport stamps.
I set out to understand belonging.

What began as a desire to step outside the familiar slowly turned into a life shaped by courage, uncertainty, and the freedom to start over. At 50, I chose curiosity over convention, and every journey since has helped me rebuild my sense of home, identity, and possibility.

Through my writing, I invite you to explore the places, questions, and connections that shape who we become. Whether I’m navigating a homestay in the Mekong Delta, researching belonging in Senegal, or pausing long enough to reflect on a small moment at home, each story is an attempt to understand how we find—and create—our own sense of place.