SophieJ Life Experiences

On Evolving, Adulthood, and the State of Things

I find it funny when people think they have someone completely figured out. How? With the way people keep changing? I mean, some things remain constant, of course. But expecting someone to be the exact same person years later seems a little unrealistic, no? Especially someone who prides themselves on continuously working on their behaviors, perspectives, and ways of living.

I know firsthand that the version of me from five years ago would be partially shocked by some of my ways today, the decisions I make, and especially the things I no longer allow. I have evolved. How much, you ask?

Well, for starters, I stopped drinking Starbucks in October 2023. Yes, you read that correctly! And I have reduced my habit of buying beverages next door so significantly that I no longer recognize any of the new employees. The owner even calls me a stranger on the rare occasions I stop by. ME! A stranger! 😂

Trust me, nobody is more surprised than I am.

Speaking of evolving, 2026 is slowly coming to an end. The last week of October, y’all! And I have been in my feelings all month. Extremely tired, too, if we are being completely honest.

I thought about writing a blog post several times, but as you know, this little corner of the internet is my sanctuary. The moment writing begins to feel like a chore, something doesn’t sit right with me. Do I have a lot going on? Absolutely. Am I grateful to have had moments this year to sit, write, and process my thoughts? Even more so.

Because when I think about where I was this time last year, whew!

Fall 2025 was filled with hospital rooms, rehabilitation centers, countless meetings, sleepless nights, and navigating territories I knew absolutely nothing about. What a terrifying road that was. And how incredibly grateful I am that we are on the other side of it.

My father’s stroke shook our family unit in ways I don’t think we will ever fully forget.

But hey, look at me now! I know how to shovel snow properly, what the inside of an AutoZone looks like, and I have practically mastered the language of insurance deductibles versus out-of-pocket maximums.

I AM A FULL-BLOWN GROWN-UP, Y’ALL! Against my will, perhaps, but here we are! 😂

And somehow, 2026 is STILL beating us up!

Nevertheless, I have started planning for 2027, slowly building myself up to accomplish a few new goals. This time around, I am not trying to become an entirely different person or overwhelm myself with a hundred resolutions. I am simply choosing a few areas of my life, reflecting on how I showed up this year, and putting the necessary building blocks in place to do better next year.

At some point, I have to ask myself: am I going to continue complaining about the same circumstances, or am I willing to make the necessary adjustments to see different results?

And listen, I understand why staying where we are feels easier.

Comfort zones. Fear of change. Those little voices in our brains. Expectations. The boxes people put us in, and sometimes the ones we build for ourselves.

Change, no matter how small, can feel terrifying.

But when the routine becomes so draining that unhappiness is palpable, when you can practically feel yourself shrinking inside a life that no longer fits, maybe it is time to move differently.

Maybe that’s what evolving really looks like. Not turning into someone unrecognizable, just getting more honest about what works for me, what doesn’t, and what I’m willing to do differently, one small, intentional choice at a time.

And speaking of small choices that add up: I went out to vote yesterday for the midterm elections!

If you live in the United States and are eligible to vote in these midterm elections, PLEASE GO VOTE!

Do not wait until Election Day next Tuesday if early voting is available to you. Go out and make your voice heard through your ballot.

And please, encourage the people around you to do the same. Make sure they have voted or have a solid plan to vote before Election Day.

We cannot keep having the same conversations about the economy, human rights, immigration, healthcare, and the cost of living without also participating in the democratic processes that influence these issues.

I am tired, y’all!

There is no time for silly arguments when every trip to the grocery store has my heart beating a little faster in anticipation of the total. What do you mean $40 worth of gas can barely last a week in my little car? A LITTLE CAR!

I have REAL issues, y’all!

I want to go back to being whimsical. I want to romanticize my life in peace. I want to buy my skincare products without feeling like I need to consult a financial advisor first!

But apparently, even my moisturizers have decided to participate in inflation.

So yes, I am asking everyone to pay attention, stay informed, and participate. Voting is not the entirety of civic engagement, but it is one important part of it.

To our European friends, I see you, too! We must continue demanding better living conditions, dignity, accountability, and the possibility of building something better for future generations. At this rate, even dreaming about a stable future feels like a big ask!

And a special shout-out to the Brazilian people! So very proud of you!

Of course, my heart remains in a million pieces when I think about my beloved Haiti. My island. My people. The suffering, the uncertainty, the resilience, and the countless lives deserving of so much more.

And it doesn’t stop there. I think of Congo, of Gaza, of Sudan. I think of the Afghan women, whose rights, freedoms, and futures continue to be systematically restricted. And of so many other places and people whose suffering never makes the headlines.

Sometimes, it feels overwhelming to hold gratitude for your own life while remaining deeply aware of the suffering happening around the world.

But maybe that, too, is part of growing. Learning to hold more than one truth at once. To be grateful without becoming indifferent. To enjoy life without turning away from the world. To care deeply without allowing despair to consume every moment.

As we approach the final months of 2026, I hope we continue evolving, individually and collectively. I hope we become more intentional about the lives we build, the communities we nurture, and the world we leave behind.

And selfishly, I hope 2027 is a little gentler with all of us.

Because goodness gracious, WE ARE TIRED!

And I would really, really like to be whimsical again. Preferably with affordable skincare and a full tank of gas. 😂