Happy New Year!

Addressing in 2026: WHAT'S THE POINT OF BEING PERFECT?

By Sophia Considine

"INS AND OUTS" VISION BOARD MADE BY SOPHIA CONSIDINE

INS:

• reading > scrolling

• listening to new music/artists

• drinking alcohol not to get drunk, but for the flavor

• random day trips to another city/town

• phone calls with friends

• researching future travel plans

• appreciating the routines of life

OUTS:

• fear of missing out (FOMO)

• spending money impulsively

• leaving my room messy for weeks

• being mean to myself

• using technology when eating/sleeping/ showering everyday

• needing to be perfect 24/7

• biting my nails

Last year was the year of changes -- graduating college, having five different jobs plus three side projects, and moving to NYC.

2026 will be the year of growth.

I've been reflecting on what I want, and what I can control. I want to get a full-time job in my career, to start dating again, to build up my savings, to make new friends, and to read 36 books. I can control the jobs I apply to, the boundaries I set, what I spend money on, and the types of books I read. I want to be content and satisfied with my life in general. I can control how I respond to setbacks.

I've already had to decide how I handle setbacks in 2026. My full-time job revealed they can only give me part-time hours now, which is not enough to pay my bills. I freaked out initially, but after sitting with it and discussing with my roommate, I realized that I found that job within a week. I can find another one, even if it's not something I love. Maybe this hardship is moving me in a new, important direction that I wouldn't have gone otherwise. I will go with the ebb and flow of life this year.

And guess what? I have an interview this week.

So, while there may come a time that I can't get a new job, and this life in New York doesn't work anymore, I will stay here as long as I want to. Because I want to, and that means I will fight tooth and nail to have income, make friends, and enjoy the daily routine of city life. Meanwhile, I will keep looking for all the reasons that there's no point in being perfect.

Best Parts of Living in NYC:

• a million restaurants, bars, and cafes to try out

• reading on subway commutes

• lots of activities and free pop-ups

• getting daily exercise walking and climbing my four-floor walkup

• bookstores!! so many!!

Downside of Living in NYC:

• going to the laundromat

• no dishwasher

• everything is expensive

• hard to make new friends

My Current Obsessions:

• Books: ACOTAR (I just finished A Court of Silver Flames)

• Shows:

  • Heated Rivalry - TV Show (I really, really want to read the books)

  • PJO TV series (Mr. Percy "I'd-burn-it-all-down" Jackson)

• Songs:

  • Warrior of the Mind

  • Dear god

  • My Moon My Man

  • mangetout

  • I'll Believe in Anything

  • All The Things She Said

IG: @writereditor.sophia

LinkedIn: (8) Sophia Considine | LinkedIn

Literary Magazine: the little things